Toyota’s stance on using a heavier weight oil
- Thread starter PWMDMD
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I think it was the yaris which has the m15a and the Corolla has the m20a. I remember it being the UK manual.
Specifically that 2010 EPA manufacturer guidance document. I find it odd how it's still not well known on here.
I'll post this so others can see it.
Post in thread '0W-8 in 2026 Toyota Prius' https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/0w-8-in-2026-toyota-prius.399814/post-7370438
Regardless of the verbiage change, it is still incredibly difficult for Toyota argue you can't use an oil with higher viscosity under high speeds or extreme load conditions.
In other words, the verbiage has changed but the engine and the benefits of thicker oil have not.
In conclusion, 0W20 was fine all along.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
So is 5W40.
Just wait until they say: Rotella T6? OK during crisis, not after that.
Brotella’s will have a field day.
Jackson_Slugger
$50 Site Donor 2022
Don't worry, all weights of oil will be short. Just go on Walmart.com and see all the "low stock" tags...
https://www.walmart.com/search?q=motor oil
https://www.walmart.com/search?q=motor oil
I have some 7.5W-40 Amsoil frankenbrow running in my 2019 0W-20 Tacoma. It's not winter anymore, but my MPG's have improved a tiny bit. I am pretty sure I could be dreaming and 19mpg v 18mpg is nothing, but it's not any worse, that's for sure.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
I run only Euro oils in my Sequoia. Cannot tell anything about mpg, as it is horrid as always. But, timing chain assembly is definitely quieter.
Just my thought Toyota isn’t giving specific or unspecific permission to use a heavier weight of oil, but they are “telling“ you a fact that thicker oil in certain use examples may have more protection the owner of the vehicle ultimately makes the call the EPA tries to use dealers as an authority when they are just service provider and sales. EPA is the authority, but they have no authority to enforce on the consumer.
I’m not sure they can enforce it on a dealer either. The rules state that the manufacturer must make sure that the tested grade is commercially available, and that the manufacturer vigorously dissuade the use of any other grade, but I’ve never seen language that they are required to use that grade for subsequent service fills.
A friend of mine lost a Triton V-10 after using the wrong oil. The next few months will be interesting if manufacturers are forced to modify their "specifications" because they have no other option. If the shortage is real and long-term, this year may settle the viscosity debate once and for all. Time will tell, but my popcorn popper is ready.
Let's hear the whole story on this...
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A friend of mine lost a Triton V-10 after using the wrong oil. The next few months will be interesting if manufacturers are forced to modify their "specifications" because they have no other option. If the shortage is real and long-term, this year may settle the viscosity debate once and for all. Time will tell, but my popcorn popper is ready.
If anything helped settle the viscosity debate, it's GM telling 6.2L truck owners to stop using 0W-20 and use 0W-40 instead.
Patman
Staff member
That was a short lived recommendation though
That is apples and oranges logic. Try again.
GM's direction to run the 0W-40 still applies to the engines not deemed to be replaced under warranty but still to be used with the thicker oil. Source - LINK
But GM's move on that reinforces the fact that engines can use thicker oil than what's called out (recommended) in the OM, which is the focus of this thread.
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