OCI opinions.

I have read that Exxon-Mobil produces the 0W-20 to Toyota's specs. I don't believe that there is any generic equivalent. For the heavier oils, like 5W-30 and 10W-30, Toyota seems happy to use generic oil that meets their specs. My dealer used Exxon Superflo 5W-30 the last time they touched it.

Mike

 

CURRENT formula 0w20 is made by Mobil to Toyota specs (i.e. it's NOT Mobil 1 0w20 in a Toyota bottle - it's a specific formula that Toyota asked for (high moly, high VI etc.). PREVIOUS version of the 0w20 was made by Eneos.

 

Another thing that hasn't been addressed... vehicle usage.

Is it a highway commuter? Constantly around town? Towing often? Romping through the desert? How you drive has a large impact in the OCI requirements for the vehicle. The OEM OCI reflects what they believe to be the most balanced usage of the truck.

For example, our bikes say 3k OCI. But they live only on the track revving nearly redline in 100*+ heat for 20min at a time. No-way in the world I'm doing 30days on the track without an oil change

 

Not anymore.

My 2003 Tundra and wife's 2000 Echo had "severe service" recommendations of 5,000 miles, and "normal service" of 7,500 miles.

As Toyota facelifted their vehicles and added the "Maintenance Required" light to the dash, they removed the 7,500 mile service interval from the owner's manuals, since the light is simply a 5,000 mile timer with no intelligence behind it.
General Motors, BMW, Mercedes, and others have some intelligence, be it capacitive evaluation of the oil, or estimated based on engine operating parameters. The "change oil" light in my '06 Silverado would run anywhere from 8k to 12k.


See attached for the manual on the 1st-Gen Tundra. My '03 had both 5k and 7.5k intervals, my wife's '04 Rav4 is 5k only.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/at...ently-do-you-service-your-tacoma-2001toyo.pdf

3,000 mile oil changes are a waste of money and natural resources.

 

The penzoil platinum is loved over there as well and I think you can get that stuff for a good deal from wallyworld. I always used toyota synthetic in my scion. I know we are ALWAYS looking for the best for our vehicles and I say at the end of the day it comes down to whatever makes you sleep better at night. Oil filter plays an important part and they disect the hell out of those over on BITOG as well.. enjoy, you're going to spend A LOT of your time reading..

 

Ain't that the god damn truth!!


I used to wrench at my uncle's shop. Dropped the oil on a customers taco, got side tracked and the shop assistant drove the truck up and down the street with no oil. Not a damn thing happened to that engine. We even performed a UCA on the next service as well as checked compression and did a wetdown test, solid and that dude went on to put another 100k pushing that things to 300k and then sold it.


So I'm pretty sure you can run cat piss in these things and be ok at the end of the day.