I took my car to a Toyota dealership for its first oil change since I bought it. Wen I got home, I noticed the sticker they placed on the windshield stated they used 5W20 oil. I seem to recall the manual calls for 0W20. I know this is not a big difference, but should I go back and ask that they do it right?

EDIT: I checked the manual and I guess 5W20 is also OK, though Toyota recommends 0W20. I'm no expert on motor oil, but I don't see why I wouldn't use 0W20 instead of 5W20. It's not all that cold in Atlanta these days, but if I understand oil grades correctly, a 0W20 would help reduce engine wear when starting and otherwise would do the same job as any xW20 once the engine is warmed up. I did specifically ask for 0W20 oil, so I will probably not go back to this dealership (I have had other negative experiences with them too, so this is just another ding).

 

0w20 is more used for the colder, winter climates...

5w20 is actually the toyota standard and recommended weight. they did nothing wrong and that weight will actually protect the engine better during warmer climates when the car hasn't warmed up yet...

 

Thanks for the reply, just making sure. I am trying to understand the difference in grades. From what I read online, a 0w20 would behave like a SAE 0 at low temperatures an the 5w20 would be like an SAE 5 under the same conditions, and both oils would be like an SAE 20 at normal (warmed-up engine) temperatures, so a 0w20 would provide better lubrication during cold starts. I guess in Atlanta, where even in winter we don't have temperatures dipping much below freezing, and then not for very long, there would be very little difference in the performance of a 0w20 and 5w20, right?

So would there be ANY advantage in using one vs the other? I read somewhere that the higher the difference between the two numbers in a multigrade oil, the more 'sludge' it will produce?

What about synthetics? Is there a real advantage or not really worth the extra $?

 

Yes, they are worth it. I have seen many engines torn down with high miles (150k-400k miles). Most people could pick out the ones that used synthetic even with no experience at all. I have seen 300,000 mile engines that you could still easily see the cylinder honing marks. Everything is clean -- no sludge! No scoring on the cam lobes, higher compression, basically just in better shape overall.

Well worth the money, especially since you can stretch out your oil changes much further than you can with mineral oils.

 

is there a general concensus on this forum about which BRAND synthetic is the best for our engines?

 

OMG... you are asking that in a car forum?!?!? Are you nuts? lol!

I recommend going for one that is mostly ester based, such as Mobil1, Redline, or Amsoil.

 

 

haha i know i'm asking for it, but oh well. I could go in any direction w/oil at this point, someone just make my mind up for me please.

I've heard many good things about Mobil1. If someone can convince me on something else go ahead.

 

Go for it. I'm using Mobil1 0w20 myself. It seems almost too easy... Coming from VW TDIs, where you can't find the proper grade of motor oil at ANY auto parts store.

 

I switched from redline to amsoil (just because I am able to get it for less) and haven't noticed any difference (which isn't a bad thing). Ever since I put my supercharger on, I have fun synthetic.

 

Mobil 1 and Amsoil is/was mostly PAO based. There is some questions now whether Mobil 1 is still PAO based. Some have suggested they are a Group 3 oil now. Would explain the why it's available at Walmart for cheap too.

Here's an excellent post over at My350Z.com with tons of info about motor oils. Click it if you have no idea what Esters, PAO, and Group 3 are.

http://my350z.com/forum/engine-and-d...-and-info.html

 

Royal Purple FTW!