Best oil? 0w20 or 5w30

i am sure Toyota could have reached the mpg demands without using a special oil. The engine tolerances were designed for 0w-20 oil so you should use that. Some of the latest engines are now designed for 0w-8 oil. I used 0w-20 oil for several years in my 2017 Prius with no issues.

 

The info I have heard from Toyota is that 0w20 is filled at factory for the initial virgin period and then replaced with 5w30 - atleast in Europe.

 

Toyota did that fir some models when the factory oil was not readily available in some countries. For instance, on my 2017 Prius,. rumor as it had 0w-16 but the US manual said 0w-20 because 0w-16 was not widely available.

You should go with the recommendation from the owners manual for your country. In most cases, it is available online.

 

Engines receives its most wear during startup; before engine oil makes it to where it's needed. Newer engines has tighter tolerances and smaller oil passages; mainly due to experience and better tooling. The oil itself is full synthetic and more uniform than old school dino oil and also resist stress & thermo breakdown better. The Prius engine starts and stops more often than a regular car engine and once the engine is running; it's mechanical parts are floating on a cushion of motor oil.
The majority of Toyota motors reach 200K trouble-free miles, if you exclude the gen3s; so I think the Toyota engineers know what they're doing. I wouldn't second guess them with that track record.

 

I doubt this was made because the oils where not readily available. A new motor needs special care. Sounds like a rumor indeed.

Anyhow, 5w30 is recommended on eu models. Always check the oil fill cap for the recommended type. And use a quality filter, OE is cheap.

 

I've toyed with switching from 0W20 to 5W30, for one oil change at least, see how it goes. Or hey, 5W20?

It does stretch credulity, the steady march towards thinner oil, and the disparity in policy: different countries, different oil weight recommendations, with the same engine.

 

FWIW; I'd be hesitant to go with a heavier oil in a cooler climate, anywhere that snow sticks to the ground. Anyone who has lived in snow country remembers to go to a thinner oil in the fall-winter months. If your young enough to only see multi-grade oils, you won't know what I'm talking about.

 

This seems very absurd and unlikely to be proven scientifically.

How are US winters much worse than Scandinavian/Swedish winters? Apart from Alaska perhaps… but Sweden reaches beyond Alaska longitude wise…

Then why would Toyota ”recommend” 0w20 in the US and 5w30 here? Just read between the lines is my own analysis.

However, there are many sources stating this counterintuitive ”fact” for worried users. It’s likely mainly a bunch of crap based on some commercial interest… Or?

Change the oil often is much more important. As often as you swap tires is my own concept… Oh that’s only a thing for us up here. Every 5k US miles ok?

I have very good experience with the Castrol Magnatec 5w30. I bought a really badly maintained Prius 2005 last year. It took me four full engine oil replacements to clear that engine of contamination over 12 months. Runs like a dream now and has clear oil after 2kkm. (3k miles)

I do not think oil flush additives are better than full replacements. And at 30 eu per 4 liters it seems uncalled for.

 

My dealership has been using 0W20 but couple years back they all the sudden switched to 5W30. Oil consumption reduced a little so i have specifically asked them to use 5W30 ever since. Must say that i cannot remember when was last time i had 5W oil in any car of mine. It was probably in the eighties or nineties

 

10W30 used to be the most ubiquitous oil for sale, albeit in the days before synthetics.

 

What's wrong with 0W-20 lube anyway? It's not like Toyota changed their warranties for the vehicles they lube with it.

That tells me they aren't worried about it, so I'm not going to worry either.

 

It’s funny because it’s true. Replace oil often regardless of grade.

 

They use what they are told to use and what is the least costly.

 

As long as it is a reputable brand that claims to meet the proper standards.

 

Dealerships usually use a better quality oil.

 

When the Prius g2 was released, the ACEA C3 spec 5w30 was always used up here in the nordics.

Now, the ACEA A5 specification seem much more adapted to hybrids in my mind and I never use anything else but A5.

When asked, local Toyota dealer agreed, but their official docs still state C3, so that’s what they add if you let dealerships replace oils.

I change my oil twice annually when swapping tyres, even though the car sometimes has only a few thousand kilometers driven.

 

I was doing that, a spring and fall schedule, till 3~4 years back after the spring oil change I was recording the date/kms in my log, and realized it was barely a 1000 kms since the previous fall oil change. Considering our annual odometer accumulation is about 3000 kms, I resolved to make it just a yearly oil change, from then on.

 

My friends son-in-law is a master tech at our local Toyota dealership and they use the same bargain oil, in big barrels, as Jiffy Lube and Walmart...nothing special about it. The Car Care Nut, who worked at a dealer for 20-years, said the same thing.

I'm with Premium...the best oil is the new oil....folks who do once-a-year old changes, or 10,000 miles, is scary.

 

The official recommendation for the 2025 Camry is 1 year or 10000 miles. Since I expect to drive less than 10000 miles in a year, I will be doing annual oil and filter changes.

Synthetic oil lasts longer than toe older dino oil