OW 20 Oil for 2005

I'm currently running 0W 20 right now. I couldn't find any M1 at the time so I used Amsoil's 0W 20. I have since found some M1 and will use it in a few thousand miles when the next change is due.

 

I'm pretty surprised that my 08 still has specs an SL 5w30 oil. I figured it would be an SM 5w20.

But there shouldn't be any issue running a 0w20 oil in your engine.

 

The Amsoil 0W-20 is supposed to be a VERY good oil, why not keep using it? True it's priced a bit higher than M1

I use M1 0W-20 year round in my Prius with great used oil reports. I use M1 0W-40 in my FJ due to some shearing issues that the 0W-40 cured

 

Hello! New member Don Davis here.
I wanted to use a "Synthetic blend" 0W20 oil on my '05 Prius, and asked the dealer about it. He looked in the book and said he recommended the 0W-30 like the owner's manual says. I suppose he had to say that.
Does anyone know if the partial synthetic blend 0w-20 would be OK for my car, and OK for year round use? I'm trying of course, to get the best MPG possible.
We're getting about 54MPG here in WA state where no roads are ever flat.

 

Actually, the Japanease Prius owner manual recommends it. See attached. I run Mobil 1 0W-20 year round, and only change the oil every year or 16,000 km, whichever first. No issues and good oil analysis reports

 

That's a good reference. However, the OP is located in Texas, and the summer weather there might be warmer than in Japan?

Since 5W-30 is the sole oil grade recommended by TMS USA per TSB EG050-04, it might be risky to use a lower weight in hot climates.

 

The OP can also use a heavier viscosity. For example, this is the Prius owner manual from Spain. I have also attached the JP manual in the same document for reference

Ford and Honda recommend either 5W-20 or 0W-20 for all of North America, a viscosity unavailable outside of North America. FYI the 0W-20 is also part of the Military Arctic oil spec MIL-L-46167, but in this case it is specially blended for turbodiesel use in addition to gasoline motor use

There is a lot of confusion about what viscosity to use in the motor. Some believe a 0W-30 will destroy the motor, but a 5W-30 is ok. Why is that? At operating temps they have the same viscosity

This morning after getting some groceries, I swung by my Toyota dealer and noticed they have a few Tundra's and the new 2008 Seqouia on display. The 5.7 V8 motor oil fill cap states 5W-20/0W-20

One oil change interval with 0W-20 will not "harm" anything. A used oil analysis will quickly determine if the viscosity is too "thin" for the climate. According to my used oil analysis, the 0W-20 is much better for my motor. Wear metals went down

 

I wouldn't be the slightest bit nervous running 0w20 or 5w20 in the prius, and like I said I'm really surprised the spec isn't for 0/5w20. It would gain a little on corporate fuel economy.

 

I use Amsoil 0W-30. The benefit that I saw there is that I can get a 25,000 mile change interval.

I have tested the oil after every change and the oil always tests well within acceptable limits. I drive about 3,000 MI each month so I love the extended change interval.

 

butchbs1985, it would be most welcome if you could post the used oil analysis results from your very long runs on the Amsoil. Do the tests include total base number?