Hello everyone, hello Scotty!
At a Toyota dealer they tried to convince me using 5W30 oil is better than 0W20 for my 3 years old Auris with 1.33 1NR-FE Dual VVT-i engine with cca 30k km.
Owner's manual says 0W20 oil should be used. If it is not avaliable, 5W30 can be used but next time 0W20 again.
They argumented 0W20 is for hybrid cars because engine starts and stops more frequently, and for city driving on short distances.
They stated 5W30 is for long distances and uphill driving, otherwise engine starts burning oil.
Does anyone know or has experience on that? Are arguments above true or not?
I decided to do oil changes on my own since they used 5w30 (as stated on bill) second time last year and my car burns more fuel since that serviceand the engine is a little bit louder. Consequently I don't trust them anymore but they are the only ones who has OEM parts.
Thanks in advance!
It seems I wasn't clear enough.
I'm curious if dealer's arguments for each oil viscosity are true or not.
I had already decided for 0W20.
See my answer. Basically, no...they aren't telling the truth. 🙂
Stick to what is recommended for your car. They likely don't have it and are just trying to sell you what they do have.
I'd go elsewhere because their explanation is also not true. My Hondas are running 0-16 and are NOT Hybrids. I'm also running 0-20 in my 2020 Camry TRD....NOT a hybrid either.
I suppose your cars run on recommended oils.
Yes that is correct. Whatever is recommended by the manufacturer is what I go with.
Stick to the recommended oil viscosity. The modern engines are very sensitive to the oil viscosity and it is not a good idea to change it (especially if you increase the viscosity).
Use the 0w20 oil recommended by the mfg. and drop kick the dealer out of your life.
Is that difference between 0W20 and 5W30 engine oil real?
They are different, for real. The different numbers indicate that they have different viscosities.
It sounds to me like they're trying to give you cheaper oil.
More I look at this chart, more illogical sound their arguments to me.
Anecdotal evidence. Kinda the opposite for me.
For my 2004 Prius, I’ve been using mostly 5W-30, and it was burning some oil. On the dealers own volition, they put in 0W-20. And it doesn’t seem to burn as much oil.
The engine in the Prius can use both oils, according to Toyota’s updated guidelines.
These days I had a service done. Engine is now quieter with 0W20.
Good to hear!
A lot of modern European cars require some exact spec that’s perfect for their internals (Like how PSA requires “B71 2312” oil)
luckily your Toyota isn’t as picky as that, but still:
Engines have either a wide range of compatible oils, OR, one type -
if it’s the kind of engine that is compatible only with one type - there’s a reason why.
only use what the manual states should be used.
If Toyota decided that your engine can only run on 0W-20 there’s a reason why they decided that.
also I’d try finding manuals for other regions to see if maybe that’s just Toyota being cruel to Europeans…
I’ve checked my local manual for a car with a NR-FE 1.33 (Yaris) and it says:
and nothing about 0W-20…
Checked another manual, this time it’s not 2015 Yaris but 2014 Yaris - and here it says “0W-20, if no available than use 5W-30 and replace layer with 0W-20”
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I’d listen to these instructions - they’re very specific… there must be a reason why…
runing on 5W-30 probably does no significant harm - but it’s better to use 0W-20.