Hi Y'all, (and hopefully Scotty)
I own a 2012 Toyota Tundra with 124k miles and am wanting to switch my oil from 0W-20 to 5W-30. Truck doesn't burn a drop of oil and runs mostly like a clock.
I researched about this truck a bit and saw that the exact same engine sold in the USA and Mexico have different oil viscosities that are recommended. the USA only allows 0W-20, while Mexico allows 0W-20, 5W-20, 5W-30, 10W-30, and even 20W-50.
Furthermore Tundra owners state that the iconic lifter tick and diesel start up noise go away after switching.
Looking for some definite answers. Is 0W-20 just for emissions? Will my engine suffer at all from a thicker oil?
Any help is appreciated.
it doesn't get cold in Mexico
I should of said I live in Texas lol. My bad.
well YOU do, but those instructions are also for those living in Alaska and Northern Canada.
Also, Mexico probably doesn't have the same efficiency requirements that the USA/Canada have.
I would stick with the 0w-20 synthetic oil.
How cold does it get where you live? The “0W” is the oil characteristic for cold start ability and the lower number allows for easier starting of the engine in cold weather. The number after the “W” (I.e. “-20”) is the oil viscosity at high temperature.
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If you live in Alaska, for example, you would stick with 0W-20, but say you live in the desert SouthWest like I do then 5W-20 would be fine since ambient temperatures here never go below 30 degrees F.
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Now what about at higher temperatures? I would not change the viscosity of the oil from 20 to 30 unless there is evidence the engine was designed to handle 30 as well. Is there evidence it was designed for 30 (besides just hearsay)?
I have a 2014 Toyota Tundra 5.7l V8. In the US Toyota says 0w-20 synthetic motor oil. In most other countries Toyota says 5w-30 synthetic oil. Speculation on the forums for Tundra owners is that 5w-30 is what the engineers designed this engine for and to use that even if in the US. They further speculate it’s only 0w-20 in the US so the engines get a fraction of an mpg better mileage in epa tests and any issues from using 0w-20 happen well after the warranty is expired. What are your thoughts? I change the oil and filter every 5,000 miles because I live in the south and tow a boat with my truck (manual says 10,000 miles). Truck runs great on either oil and is also supercharged. I want to keep it a long time (it only has 85,000 miles on it). It’s my understanding the timing chain tensioners and the timing phasers are sensitive to poor oil maintenance. Am I worrying over nothing? With two specs for the same engine it makes me wonder. Thanks!
