I just recently posted a topic asking if anyone knew where to get 0w-20 oil for my TC, cuz I cant find it anywhere. But im curious why do we our cars use oil thats used in hybrids. I would think we would be using 5w-30 or 10w-30, but instead were using 0w-20 and 5w-20. My friends have never heard of cars using this type of oil unless it was a hybrid and all most of my boys go to New England Tech for Automotive Techs and they cant even figure it out. Thanks

 

plenty of cars use 5w20 besides hybrids

 

I still use 5w-30. Doesn't matter, i'm not sure why Toyota decided to switch it up like that. When they first came out, they called out 5w-30

 

Both Honda and Ford have all but exclusively used 5W20 semi-syn since '03. It's as common as 5W30 and 10W30 in parts stores anymore.

 

They do it to help their corporate gas mileage average (CAFE) so they don't get pounded with penalties, and can build things like Hummers and Expeditions. This is one of the main reasons Chrysler built the PT Crusier, it's classified as a truck and somehow helps offset the bad mileage Hemi beasts. 5w20 has less drag than thicker oil, improves mileage a very small amount.

 

5w-20 is actually a pretty common grade of oil nowdays. As Skoobus said, its an easy way for the automakers to improve fuel economy and lower emissions without having to make any really drastic design changes.