Viscosity: Engine protection Vs. enhanced mileage

[ckinch1]

Use 5w-30 in my wife's 2013 sienna with 2gr-fe engine, she's at 185,000 miles. They changed the oil for CAFE rating but not the engine. Not sure what engine is in that 2022 Lexus, but I'll say confidently you can use 5w-30 with no problems.

 

[Carlostrece]

It's not that I (or anyone else) thought you couldn't understand the Stribeck curve. It's a simple concept that just sounds complicated. It's that we thought you just wanted some brief, easy, practical, relevant, helpful advice.

I now see that you enjoy the minutia and weeds. I think you're over thinking this topic, but that is fun when you're into that. You're going to fit in well at BITOG. Enjoy.

I doubt that getting harder on the throttle at take off would be easier on your vehicle, but I'll leave that discussion to others. I'm impressed by your fuel economy.

 

[Sunshine Guy]

(clip)...we thought you just wanted some brief, easy, practical, relevant, helpful advice.

(clip)...I think you're over thinking this topic, (clip)

All replies, brief and otherwise, have been relevant, helpful, and appreciated.

I have to agree I'm probably over-thinking this topic (I'm told I excel at this).

I did some google searching and found multiple references showing that both 0w-20 AND 5w-30 are recommended BY TOYOTA for my 2GR-FKS engine in numerous countries other than the CAFE-addled USA. While that may not settle which oil is "best" for my particular driving conditions, it gives me confidence to move to the PUP 5w-30 without trepidation.

 

[Carlostrece]

I did some google searching and found multiple references showing that both 0w-20 AND 5w-30 are recommended BY TOYOTA for my 2GR-FKS engine in numerous countries other than the CAFE-addled USA. While that may not settle which oil is "best" for my particular driving conditions, it gives me confidence to move to the PUP 5w-30 without trepidation.

For sure you can use 5w30 with no worries. In Florida it'll be an improvement, IMO. Besides, PUP 5w30 is relatively thin for 5w30. PUP 5w30 is only slightly thicker than most other brands 5w20.

I think PUP 5w30 is your best option because it's good oil (other than being thin per grade) and it's the chemistry that's already in your engine. So it wouldn't be a change in chemistry.

If you change brands of oil, that's a change in additive chemistry. According to Lake Speed Jr, changing additive chemistry sometimes causes increased wear because of competing additive packages. That would stop being an issue at the 2nd oil change using the new type oil. It's not a big deal, but if you're slitting hairs, you can avoid extra wear by staying with same brand/model of oil (even if you go up a grade).

 

[trd1zz]

One of those several conclusions is that you shouldn’t stray from your manufacturer’s recommended oil viscosity unless you have a specific reason to do so. After thinking about it, my reason would be this: I drive my 3.5L Lexus very conservatively, very light throttle 99% of the time.

If you always drive like an old lady and never get the revs up you are going to have carbon issues down the line regardless of using 0w20 or 5w30. Toyota D4S on the -FKS may help prevent or delay some of this but still it doesn't hurt anything but your fuel economy to drive it hard once a week. (italian tuneup). The 2GR likes to rev.

 

[Carlostrece]

If you always drive like an old lady and never get the revs up you are going to have carbon issues down the line regardless of using 0w20 or 5w30. Toyota D4S on the -FKS may help prevent or delay some of this but still it doesn't hurt anything but your fuel economy to drive it hard once a week. (italian tuneup). The 2GR likes to rev.

Good point. I don't know if, or how much, revving is needed, but one good 30+ min high speed highway drive per month is defineately helpful for keeping engine and oil clean. You might also be correct about the occasional (at least monthly) revving. I make sure my car does those things once a month.