3.5 Tacoma oil

Thinking about switching to either 5w20 or 5w30 I’ve heard it’s more beneficial for Tacomas that are worked harder/higher mileage but I want some opinions

 

Making lubrication decisions on the opinion of internet strangers isn't a great move.

Do you have a problem you're trying to solve?

 

I almost forgot it was Friday- thanks for the reminder.

 

No issues just getting up there in Mileage is all

 

TW always scratchin’ for an itch

 

Do whatever. You won’t notice a difference. The end.

Unless you live in Siberia and try to run 20w-50. Then you’ll notice.

 

It's Friday. The day to go against the factory recommendations of super smart engineers and try something else cause you read in internet it might be better.

Actually, this is on par for the current times. DO IT!

 

Just do what your owners manual and Toyota says.
They built it and they know what's best for it.
Don't understand why people want to "improve".
Don't overthink it.

 

Let me take both sides of the argument. I do like to stay with

$52 0w-20 oil Toyota/ exxon mobil Case of 6 Quarts Full Synthetic TGMO SN 0W-20 Oil

0w-20 oil that the manual recommends. But let’s not forget some Toyota engineer thought plastic was the best material for a coolant crossover pipe.

 

I would stick with what Toyota recommends..

 

Multiple oil manufacturers make a "high mileage" specific offering in our recommended flavor of 0W-20.

 

I been sticking with 0w20 but there is discussion before on other weights. for example Toyota recommends lighter oils in the US for fuel economy, if you look at the owners manual for the same vehicle or engine in anther country you will see they recommend thicker oils like 5w30. I think if you are going to switch be sure that science is behind you. Get an oil analysis on the stock oil and again on an oil change after you switch to be sure you are not doing harm to the engine.

 

I think the engineers have more "pull" when it comes to a lubrication specification.
The plastic crossover pipe was probably a bean counter thing.

 

According to Blackstone Lab the 0W-20 protects the engine fine under high stress.

I took two 1200 mile trips towing at max GVW last year with the manual transmission in 4th gear all the way. 3400 rpm at 70 mph and let it eat, 11.5 mpg.

I sent the oil off to Blackstone for analysis both times, no unusual wear was noted.

 

Friday oil challenge.

 

Look into using seed oils, they're healthier for your truck.

 

The engineers approve a range, the marketing department is ultimately what puts the recommendation in the owner’s manual. They have EPA and CAFE stuff to appease here, so marketing chooses the most efficient (read: lowest viscosity) oil.

If the engineers didn’t approve of a range, there wouldn’t be a range in the factory service manual or in other country owner manuals.

 

Marketing ruins everything nice us engineers make.