5th gen prius 0w8 vs 0w16 discrepancies

Discussion in 'Gen 5 Prius Technical Discussion' started by 2023p, Dec 23, 2025 at 6:59 PM.

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  1. 2023p

    2023p Member

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    I think this was mentioned in a thread before. Dug deeper and called Toyota Of America. Apparently the 26 engine is identical, of course, to the 23 engine.

    Although the 26 engine verbage in the manual clearly states 016w may be used for one cycle and then immediately go back to 0w8 consistently.

    Strange. Seems to be begging for a larger issue, even if possibly only technical.

    Apparently the same engine on non north American sold vehicles with this engine, Prius 5th gen.. always recommended and requires(?) 08w oil, as per the manual. And for the 26 they finally updated the verbage.

    I don't want to be putting in the wrong oil due to some timing and certification North American issue.

    thoughts?

    I understand one can change their own oil etc

    hmm
     

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    #1 2023p, Dec 23, 2025 at 6:59 PM
  2. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    In the early days; 0w8 was hard to come by and most dealerships dumped 0w16 in.
    My advice is if the car engine was broken-in with 0w16, stick with it. The same engine in other countries go as high as 5w30. Switching to thinner oil after break-in may cause issues (ie. higher engine oil burn between oil changes). Some OEMs claim that burning a quart every 5K miles is acceptable - I don't!!! That much oil burn would kill the CAT, just outside federal warranty. Then again, that's all the dealership is concerned with - getting past the warranty period.

    Just my two cents.....
     
    #2 BiomedO1, Dec 23, 2025 at 7:37 PM
    2023p likes this.
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