engine oil grade

Hi.
I work with a 2008 Tacoma 4x4.
I change the engine oil every 5k miles with synthetic 5W30.

But I wonder if it would not be better to use 15W50 and change every 3k miles, because the truck is working in a very warm climate and severe conditions, lot of dust, very rough roads,...

Summer here is very long and hot (40 - 45 ° Celsius), and even in the winter the temperature doesn't fall below 10 ° C

I would appreciate any advice
Thanks a lot
All the best

 

Don't think I would go that high in weight for a couple reason's
1. Todays motor are of closer tolerance and it just wouldn't be a good fit
2. The motor in your truck has variable valve timing and while I'm no expert on it operation from what I've read about it , it's proper operation is dependent on oil pressure running 15w oil will raise your oil pressure some

My owners manual states 5w-30 but 10w-30 can be substituted but should be switched out at next oil change ....I would say stick with the 5w-30 just use a high quality synthetic and you should be fine .....I myself would like to run a heavier grade oil as well but I would only go to a 5w-40 if I did . I would also consider talking to your dealer and see what he has to say ....but that may be pointless hopefully some of the other guys on here that have been into these motors can shed some light on this for you....I use 5w-30 Mobil 1 or Pennzoil Platinum and fell well covered with them.

 

Just use water, better for the earth. The folks at toyota don't know what they are talking about.

 

Really....why take the time to post something , that is just well fucking stupid ?? The man was asking for advice if you cant contribute why post at all.......just say'in

 

Id stick to 5w30

I dont know if viscosity would have anything to do with the VVTI?

 

Perfect

See below, again.

Agree.

 

from what I've read about the Toyota VVT increasing viscosity may be a bad idea , as its operation is dependent on oil pressure . there are supposed to be like weights that swing on the cam and control the timing and there operation is very dependent on oil pressure ......He may be better off with a full synthetic 10w-30 for summer months and run a 5w-30 winter . form what I know about oil and again I'm no expert the closer the 2 numbers are together the better ........so 10w-30 should be the best but they want the 5w for start up.....I use 5wt -30 and every UOA Ive had has come back perfect.....summer or winter....so I just stick with it....If I was him I'd run a 5w-30 all yr and when he's working it harder just shorten the change interval from 5k to 3k ..and again use a good synthetic.

 

hey whats your opinion on running gear oil in my automatic transmission?

 

OK, thanks.

 

I'd stick with the 5-30 as well. Those numbers are plastered all over the owners manuals and on the oil cap for a reason.

And that's coming from a "thick oil" guy. I've always preferred the thickest oil I can get away with but 5-30 seems to be what Toyota likes. I could see 10-30 in very warm climates with a high mileage engine though. In Paraguay 10-30 might be just fine. A 5-40 might be fine as well but with VVT? You never know.

Oil weight does mess with VVT systems. I have no idea how VVT works but I have read that they do rely on the proper viscosity of oil to work properly.

 

The oil cap on my 2011 Taco states 0w20 only .

 

Inline 4 2.7 L = 0w-20
V6 4.0 L = 5w-30

My dealership fucked up once and put 0w-20 in my V6. I was displeased.

 

Yes, I've heard the newer ones have gone to a 0-20 rating. Mine is a 2004. It says 5-30. It'll be 0-10 before long. I might also add that the whole reason they keep going thinner and thinner is for gas mileage. We can use thicker oil but with VVT in so many engines these days it might not be a good idea. I know a guy in Canada who runs 15-40 dino year round in his Caddy's and has no problems at all. His cars are outside as well. Not in a heated garage. That's awful thick for Canadian winters but he has done it for years with no ill effects. He's also a mechanic.

Personally, i think the thicker oil protects better. If I lived in Florida or AZ or some place else that was real hot in the summer and never got real cold in the winter I'd probably be running a 10-30 or a 5-40 in my Taco.

 

So, coming back 2 years after my first post,
Since Oct., 2014, running with full synth. 5 W 40.
Full satisfaction.