Oil viscosity.

It's the same for all engines, yes it is in fact relevant because that includes the 2GR-FKS.

Except some now they even recommend as low as 0w16.

 

Beat me to it, thanks bud.

 

I wish Toyota would settle this once and for all.

 

Toyota says 0W20 or 5W20 if 0W20 is unavailable, up to you if you want to fight warranty.

It will be fine 100000% but there is basically no reason to run 5w30 except that an old 4runner did?

 

I'm sure if that is people ask, you'll get whatever their public relations firm decides is in the best interest of keeping the money flowing. Something like "we've thoroughly tested oils and found that 0w20 exceeds our standards for protection while offering improved efficiency. Please consult your owners manual for what is best for m̶a̶k̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶u̶s̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶m̶o̶s̶t̶ ̶m̶o̶n̶e̶y̶ your vehicle.

 

How does Toyota admitting you can use 5w-30 in American 2GR-FKS Tacoma engines in certain temperatures cost them money?

 

A lot of reports that thicker oil helps reduce oil consumption for vehicles that burn oil. I say why wait for it to start burning oil? Why not just get better protection before the problems start? Just my 2 cents.

 

Thats old hat way of thinking. Engines burn oil now because of carbon build up on ring lands nearly exclusively.

The biggest advantage to 30 or 40 is temp tolerances. I'd run 0w30 on a 2GR if I lived in Mexico or hot inland USA.

I've heard of some hot region dealers that don't even sell 20. But no real proof of such.

 

https://www.transportation.gov/mission/sustainability/corporate-average-fuel-economy-cafe-standards

Here's a good article on it, the incentives have changed over the years but the government helps out the more efficient manufacturers can make the cars. Between the incentives and the pressure through legislation to mandate cars be more fuel efficient, companies are going to every length possibly to comply. Good for politics and good for business. Here's a quote from the last paragraph.

"The program also includes targeted incentives to encourage early adoption and introduction into the marketplace of advanced technologies to dramatically improve vehicle performance, including:

Incentives for electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and fuel cells vehicles;
Incentives for natural gas vehicles;
Credits for technologies with potential to achieve real-world greenhouse gas reductions and fuel economy improvements that are not captured by the standard test procedures."

 

May be oldie but if it still works it's a goodie.

 

https://www.nhtsa.gov/laws-regulations/corporate-average-fuel-economy

Makes sense why we're seeing thinner oils, weaker engines packaged with turbos, and direct injection. Look at these rules coming down the pipeline, all thanks to CAFE.

Friend of mine visits Ireland often, rents a diesel sedan there, usually Hyundai or VW. My jaw dropped when he told me they get 60-70mpg. I don't know much about diesel but if they're capable of getting that efficiency, just a matter of time before we start getting diesel vehicles in the US.

 

Can you show proof that 5w-30 causes less wear than 0w-20? Wouldn’t it depend on starting temp?

This might somewhat explain why they might spec 0w-20 as standard, but are you certain this prevents them from even admitting you can use 5w-30?

I really don’t see how it does.

 

where are the damn engineers when we need a 10 paragraph reply?

 

The engine oil is not only a lubricant in the 2GR engine. It’s also the hydraulic fluid for the VVT-iW (intake) and VVT-i (exhaust) variable timing systems. I have no idea how the systems are affected by thicker oil in colder weather, though it’s something to consider.

 

I believe the VVT is electronically controlled.

But I still run 0w20 in winter and 5w20 in summer.

 

Tighter bearing tolerances than engines from 40 years ago.

guess you’ve never built engines? Look up bearing clearances for engines that used 10w30. Then look up clearances for an engine like the 3.5l. You will find your answer.

 

I wanted you to tell me those clearances because they have been compared here before. They were not any tighter than anything else. They were compared to a 1991 1GR IIRC.

The only dimension I’m aware of on the 2GR-FKS that is ‘tighter’ than previous motors is the ring gap and like anything, it’s a range. The upper end of our range is about the same as the bottom end of the 1GR-FE range. Still, a 30 weight and 20 weight are so close when warm that the ring gap is fine on any oil.

 

The solenoids are electronically controlled, but the VVT’s effect on the motor is controlled by oil pressure.

Still doesn’t matter about viscosity, VVT just needs oil pressure. Any oil will work on the VVT system.

 

As long as there is oil pressure, they work the same.

 

You're right about starting temp. 0w20 or 0w30 will absolutely provide better protection at start up. Where 0w30 or 5w30 take the cake is at operation temperature. At 220°, a 30w oil is the same viscosity as 20w oil at 190. Below is yet another link for you. Talks about Ford in Europe how they need to use 30w to keep warranty. It also says basically if you drive like a grandma, you'll be fine with 0w20, anyone else would be better off with something thicker. I'm going to use what I know will work best since I plan to keep my vehicles a long time. You can use whatever you'd like. Not interested in wasting more of my time here arguing just for the sake of arguing. Good luck.

https://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/518/motor-oils