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20k Mile Service - I think they've used the wrong oil - again!

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by GrumpyCabbie, Jun 3, 2010.

  1. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    I'm sure it's a good oil, but keep in mind that based on manufacturer-provided "virgin" tests, the Amsoil 0W-20 tends to test out at the upper end of what a xW-20 oil should be

    There are a lot of 5W-30 and 0W-30 oils that are at the other end, that is, on the "thin" side of what a xW-30 should be.

    So there should be very minimal difference in fuel economy comparing most xW-30 oils to Amsoil 0W-20

    I do know that running Mobil 1 0W-20 vs Mobil 1 0W-30 in my Prius, as long as the temps remained above -25 C there was no difference in fuel economy that I could detect
     
  2. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    I didn't find much fuel economy difference as such when they put the wrong oil in. What I did find was a reduction in driveability, the car was more hesitant, not as fast in sport mode, would 'stumble' when the engine fired on and off and I also found that quick starts out of junctions were not quite so quick - no good for a taxi :D

    Since the oil has been changed back to 0w20, the car is back to itself. The differences are subtle and it can take an hour of driving to realise the differences, but they're certainly there. I understand the 2010 has tighter engine and piston tollerances than the gen2, hence requiring 0w20 oil
     
  3. hsiaolc

    hsiaolc New Member

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    Thanks for the heads up

    But what about the comparsion between Armsoil compared to Mobile 1 0W-20s?
     
  4. hsiaolc

    hsiaolc New Member

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    Actually what is your average MPG per tank if I may ask?
     
  5. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    Based on current manufacturer-provided data, I examined a couple of key areas

    For viscosity Mobil 1 0W-20 is rated 8.6 cSt at +100 C

    Amsoil is rated 9.0 cSt at +100 C. You probably would not notice any difference in fuel economy between these two oils

    FYI a quick check of a bottom-grade oil, Mobil Clean 5000 5W-20, is rated 8.5 cSt at +100 C. This oil is quite thin by comparison, you WOULD notice a very minor fuel economy difference compared to the Amsoil product

    Flash point: the Mobil 1 0W-20 is rated +226 C. The Amsoil is rated +228 C. The Mobil Clean 5W-20 is rated +200 C

    TBN: The Mobil 1 0W-20 is rated 8.5. The Amsoil has a much stronger additive package, it is rated 12.1. Mobil does not provide any TBN data on their lower quality oils, I would have to guess 5

    To compare Mobil 1 0W-20 to Mobil 1 0W-30

    The 0W-30 is rated 11 cSt at +100 C. The flash point is +228 C. The TBN is 8.5. Mobil 1 0W-30 used to be a LOT thinner, their "classic" formula was only 9.3 cSt at +100 C.

    So, to compare the 0W-20's, the Amsoil appears to have a better additive package based on TBN. There is a minor difference in running temp viscosity, probably not enough though to notice any difference.

    Compared to one of our cheap bottom-grade 5W-20's, both the Mobil 1 product and the Amsoil product are thicker. One may expect slightly better fuel economy using one of our bottom-grade 5W-20, again probably not enough to be noticeable.

    I have experimented with different viscosity oils with my 2004 Prius and my 2007 FJ. The only time I noticed a minor difference, about 2 mpg at operating temp in summer, was running a heavy duty 15W-40 in my Prius. I consistently lost around 2 mpg

    FYI, all this talk about "fuel saving" motor oils, do you know what the "reference" oil is for the test? That's right, a heavy duty 15W-40

    With both my Prius and my FJ, there was not one bit of difference running Mobil 1 0W-20 or Mobil 1 0W-30. I chose to keep using the 0W-20 in my Prius year round due to excellent used oil analysis results

    With my '07 FJ, which used the same motor as the base motor in the Australia Toyota LandCruiser Prado, a 4 litre V6, I had iffy used oil analysis results running Mobil 1 0W-20. The oil did not hold up very well

    With the FJ, there was no difference in fuel economy running Mobil 1 0W-20, 0W-30, or 0W-40. No difference in fuel economy running the made in Germany Castrol Syntec 0W-30.

    I am currently running Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5W-40 in my FJ. Again, no difference in fuel economy
     
  6. socratesthecabdriver

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    i found redline 0w-20 and amsoil 0w-20!!!! hmmmmmmmmmmmm what to dooo whaaaat tooo do!!!!!!
     
  7. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    I'm amazed you could find a 0W-20 in Greece! Either should work, the Amsoil is a wee bit better oil
     
  8. hsiaolc

    hsiaolc New Member

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    Thank you for the info again. I am happy with Armsoil.
     
  9. pjksr02

    pjksr02 Active Member

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    Isn't 0W-20 a bit thin for a grease? :behindsofa:

    [Disclaimer: this is a joke.]
     
  10. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    <smirk>

    Though there actually are greases, intended for pumping from a central distribution network, that are semi-liquid
     
  11. GSW

    GSW PRIUS POWER

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    Bloody Yank! :D :D
     
  12. socratesthecabdriver

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    i was happy i found it! i also found mobil 1 0w-20 but its way over priced at 14.50 euro verssus 9.50 euro for the amsoil and red line! when i called to inquire the lady told me that these are the going prices for the oil now,hahahha the prices may change acording to how they import the oils in to greece from customs....kind off like gold!!! what a mess !!! hahahaha i like to see the face on the dealer when i hand him 0w-20 on my first oil change ! i dont think they are going to like it so much hehehe:rolleyes:
     
  13. socratesthecabdriver

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    AMSOIL ASM 0W20 946 ML

    this is the site i found the oil at! but i found the actual location in pireus athens greece!
     
  14. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    Good find. But keep in mind that at least with my 2004 Prius I noted no difference in fuel economy running Mobil 1 0W-20. The Amsoil product tests out at the very upper end of what is a "20" oil
     
  15. ashn2k

    ashn2k Junior Member

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    In my country, temp in winter is around 59-69F (very short time every year) and summer is about 90-104F, I ask many owners for which oil they have been using for their cars and most of them used
    0-5w-30-40 oil instead of their ideal ones also, so I wonder if my Prius 2010 can use 5w-30 oil which is the most popular oil here? The 0-5w-20 oil is unavailable here so I can't follow the guided manual either.