Hello Everyone,
I have a 2009 Toyota corolla base w/ 140k miles, automatic. It has the cold start rattle, and currently has ST 0w20 synthetic in it. I was wondering if I can switch to 5w30 to quiet the rattle down or should I just stick w/ what Toyota recommends 0w20 / 5w20. The car drives, and shift just fine, TX weather. If I stick w/ the recommended oil spec, can I add something like lucas or stp (the ones for low viscosity oil) to help quiet the rattle? If so, can I also be frugal w/ it, like use half of a bottle? Also does it matter at this point whether I use conventional, blend, or synthetic oil?
Thank you for your time and help.
The rattle is from the variable valve timing mechanism. There's a Technical Service Bulletin on this (I had it fixed on my 09 Matrix). But I understand that many folks have just lived with it for many thousands of miles with no ill effect.
I wouldn't mess with the oil or add any additives, as they will throw the VVTI off.The noise has more to do with the outside temperature than the oil viscosity - I never experienced the noise until the temp dropped below 40F.
Go to toyotanation.com for discussion of this issue.
Hello Glen_stet,
Sorry for the very late reply. I was playing around with the oil viscosity without adding any additives, based off of 0w20 and 5w20 blend and synthetic to see if it makes any difference. When I did the oil change, oil came out pretty clean w/o anything in it. However, this oil change I added in 5w30, I understand its not the recommended oil here based off the US manual but decide to use 5w30 based of the Australian manual. Well the car runs and shift without any issues, I can't argue with that. Next oil change, I'll go back to 5w20. I decided just to live with it. Thank you for your reply and help.
-Mike