0w-20 oil

I tried Toyota 0W-20 on my 2004 while living in southern CA, and found that the engine started to consume oil. 0W-20 is approved for use in JDM 2G Prius, so as long as your ambient temp is not greater than 100 degrees F it would probably be OK for your wife's car. Considering your location, if you change oil on your wife's car 2x per year I would suggest using 0W-20 in the winter to enhance your winter mpg, and then switch back to 5W-30 in the summer.

 

The oil is only 0w when the temperature is cold, when it's hot it becomes 20 weight.

 

Not pertaining to your question, but I don't think 0W20 has to be synthetic: Honda 0W20 is not synthetic, at least so I've heard. It costs like synthetic though.

I believe MSantos mentioned he was using 0W20, with his dealership's approval, with a second gen Prius.

 

I used 0w-20 synthetic oil in my '07 Camry Hybrid with no trouble at all. I used Amsoil, Toyota-brand, and Mobil1, all with very good results...

 

Honda 0W20 is not synthetic, at least so I've heard.
=WRONG

 

Caplocks, bold, giant font: obviously this is a sore point with you

Anyway, check out msanto's post here:

Is Honda 0w-20 oil synthetic? - CleanMPG Forums

Not conclusive, but...

Still shaking my head, LOL.

 

I just had the oil changed this afternoon in my '09 Prius at my Toyota dealer. He told me that Toyota 0w-20 synthetic oil is now approved and recommended by Toyota for use in my Prius. The dealer recommended that I go with the 0W-20 and as an added bonus, this oil change was free so I said sure thing. The funny thing is that I could feel a positive difference in the way the car drove after the oil change, the engine was more willing to rev and I got great gas mileage on the way home.

 

It is the same here and has been for a year. First thing I did was change to 0-20. Next day in fact.I even use it my lawn tractor and it likes it! It sure starts better. And I should mention we get many days over 100 deg.. Hal

 

I had no problem running Mobil 1 0W-20 in my '04 Prius. Great used oil analysis results too. But that motor went to synthetic after the first 5,000 miles

No difference in summer fuel economy. Slight gain in winter fuel economy.

My FJ motor is approved for xW-20, but does NOT like it. Very "ticky" and no difference in fuel economy. The used oil analysis had nitration spikes, it actually thickened up to a 30 anyway

The FJ appears to like the made in Germany Castrol Syntec 0W-30, Mobil 1 European Car Formula 0W-40, and Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5W-40 best

In a climate that rarely drops below freezing, I wouldn't worry too much about a 0W-xx oil. A very durable oil like the GC 0W-30 is great in any climate

 

Just a follow up question. Have you noticed an increase in oil consumption with 0W20. I am considering using it in my 05 but may just use 0W30 if there are problems.

Is it rue that Toyota has now approved 0W20 in Gen 2's?

 

Not sure how "true" it is that Toyota Canada now approves 5W-20/0W-20 in gen2 Prius motors

I went up to 12 months or 16,000km with my Prius, no oil consumption and good used oil analysis reports

My '07 FJ is also apparently approved for xW-20 oils. It didn't use oil, but I had nitration spikes and the oil I used, Mobil 1 0W-20, actually thickened to a 30 range anyway

With the FJ motor I have had the best results with the made in Germany Castrol Syntec 0W-30

 

I have run my 2008 on 0w20 since first oil change, now at 70,000miles with no problems and no oil use between changes at 10k intervals. My mpg is 60/65 winter 65/70 summer. (UK gallon).

 

Just finished 10,000 miles on Mobil 1 0W20, in a 2005 with now 80,000 miles. On the dipstick, it started 1/4 inch below the top dimple, and finished 1/4 inch above the bottom dimple.

 

Thanks for the info seilerts. Just wondering if you have a reference point for the consumption using 5W30, say for the previous OCI.

 

I should have stated, that this was the first run on any synthetic, as the car was dealership serviced for the first 60K, then had two rounds of Castrol GTX 5w30 at 5000 mile OCI where I was not paying attention between changes. We'll see what the long, hot summer brings over the next 10,000 miles. To me, if I don't have to add any oil over 10,000 miles, then there is no meaningful consumption issue. I could have caused the level drop myself, by obsessively wiping the dipstick every gas fill up to make sure that I didn't have a consumption problem.

 

Old habits die hard.

I changed my oil and filter for the first time on my 2007 Prius, and it went smoothly - better than my late 2000 Insight...

...and used it's 0w-20 Mobil One.

Obviously, I'm wondering if I'm in trouble for not using 5w-30?

My driving: Usually 15 miles/30 minutes max, but Dallas is starting their 100F days.

 

You really shouldn't have used 0w-20. On the older engines, they just burn it.....at a much faster rate.

If this is a new to you car, you should probably stick with dino 5w-30

 

^ I can deal with a faster oil burn, but not if it's putting the ICE at risk.

Would adding thicker oil when it needs more be enough?

I won't do 0w-20 next time.