Scotty:
Picking up a new 2021 Toyota 4Runner 4x4 this week. I plan to run it 1000 miles during the break in then change the oil and filter to a TRD Oil Filter.
I have a big concern with using 0W20 oil, because my past Toyota 4Runner and FJ Cruisers (same engines) both used 5W30 (printed on the cap), prior to the 2010 CAFE standards, then suddenly 0W20 was all the rage. I've always used Mobil 1.
I know, I know, what you always say "use what is on the cap", but I found this in the 2021 4Runner owner's manual:
"An oil with a higher viscosity (one with a higher value) may be better suited if the vehicle is operated at high speeds, or under extreme load conditions."
Better Suited
So basically what Toyota is saying, is if you drive this vehicle under Extreme Load Conditions, an oil with a Higher Viscosity (30 weight) may be BETTER SUITED, than the CAFE regulated 0W20 that they recommend. Recommend isn't the same as Required.
Puerto Rico 4Runners
If you look at the 2021 4Runner Owners Manual for Puerto Rico (same truck, same engine), they recommend 0w20, 0w30, 5w30, 10w30 and up to 15W40! You can tell that Puerto Rico are not CAFE restricted!
Extreme Load Conditions
I live on the top of a mountain in Western North Carolina at 3800' elevation. I typically drive in 2nd and 3rd gear going up hill to my house at about 25-30 mph (my road is 700' high spread over 0.8 mile). Trips into town are often limited to only 3-5 miles, and the truck rarely goes faster than 50 mph on the highway. Temperatures up here can get to down -5°F in February (averages in the teens), with lots of snow and ice (4 real Canadian style seasons), but rarely over 80°F in the summer. The truck is driven on my steep 25° rock and gravel, dusty driveway in 4x4 mode daily. I only drive about 5K miles a year, so we are on a 6 month oil change schedule using Mobil 1 Full Synthetic (April and October).
If that isn't Extreme Load Contitions, I don't know what is.
So according to the 2021 Toyota 4Runner owners manual, I should be able to run 0W30 or 5W30 under Extreme Load Conditions?
I was planning on using the Mobil 1 5W30 SUV Formula. If I have to put a 5W30 Oil Cap on this engine, I can do that. 🤥
Scotty
South Africa 2020 FJ Cruiser Owners Manual - Yes, they still sell them!
The 4.0L Dual VVT-I produces 268 HP. They also recommend Premium Fuel!
Reference Pages 526-527.
“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” is used in your Toyota vehicle. Use Toyota approved “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent to satisfy the following grade and viscosity.
Oil Grade:
5W-30 and 10W-30:
API grade SL “Energy-Conserving”, SM “Energy-Conserving” or SN “Resource-Conserving”; or ILSAC multigrade engine oil 15W-40: API grade SL, SM or SN multigrade engine oil.
Recommended viscosity (SAE):
If you use SAE 10W-30 or a higher viscosity engine oil in extremely low temperatures, the engine may become difficult to start, so SAE 5W-30 engine oil is recommended.
Oil viscosity (5W-30 is explained here as an example):
● The 5W in 5W-30 indicates the characteristic of the oil which allows
cold startability. Oils with a lower value before the W allow for easier
starting of the engine in cold weather.
● The 30 in 5W-30 indicates the viscosity characteristic of the oil when
the oil is at high temperature. An oil with a higher viscosity (one with a
higher value) may be better suited if the vehicle is operated at high
speeds, or under extreme load conditions.
Recommended Viscosity (SAE)
5W-30: All Temerature Ranges
10W-30: 0°F and higher
15W-40: 10°F and higher
From what I am reading here, this 0W20 in the US and Canada is only to meet CAFE!
Bump.
Use the new gf6 020 oil many companies make it I like Castrol
