500 miles on a tank, 6 cylinder

Is 0-20w synthetic too thin for a 6 cylinder? I've used 0-40w Euro Mobile and Stayed under 55mph on the highway and got a little over 25 mpgs on just under 20 gallons used.
I was wondering if anyone has used 0-20w synthetic that the 4 cylinder Tacomas use to try to get better mileage in their v6? My vacuum gauge I hooked up while driving really helps bump up mpgs, so I thought maybe a thinner oil could help squeeze out some more. Thanks

 

Don't think you would see a measurable increase, plus the V6 has VVTI (variable Valve Timing) and it is designed for 30 wt oil.

 

Why risk ruining or damaging a good engine for gas mileage? How much are you really going to save?

 

I completely agree with this statement. Not trying to flame or anything, it takes a bold person to be different. But if you drive the same way you drove on that tank is the same conditions with a quality 5w30 what would be the difference? My guess is maybe 1 MPG, and thats negligible due to changing conditions, fuel, wind, etc. I would recommend using what is stated, Toyota does it for a reason whatever it may be even with the trends of going to thinner oils. Though you may be OK with a thinner oil if you are in a cold climate, but even in the owners manual if recall correctly it never recommends less than 5w30. Even in consistant -20F weather. In my opinion I would rather sacrifice a minimal difference in MPG for knowing that I would not do damage to my engine in the long run. Now the 0w40 your running should be safe and infact a little on the thick side surprisingly. However it is pricey because it's EURO and is that worth it for a questionable increase in economy? For myself, I run either Mobil1 or Pennzoil Ultra Platinum with a toyota filter. If you are more deeply curious about this I would post a question on BTOG (BobisTheOilGuy) forum. Those guys take oil change intervals, oil types and other maintenance to the extremes and many are experts or have been in the field for a long time.

 

You guys make a good point about the 0-20. I may try the full syn. Mobile 0-30 fuel economy this winter though. The Mobile 0-40w Euro full syn. stuff in a 5 quart jug can be gotten at Walmart for $22. Somewhere I was reading its actually a 0-35w in reality. I've been running it in my Geo Metro for years and getting 50+mpg.

 

If you can get 500 miles on a full tank out of a V6 2nd Gen I want proof. LOL

If it was me I'd stick with what Toyota says they designed the motor to use. 5W-30. I just use Mobile 1 Full Synthetic. Truck runs fine. Use a synthetic, let the motor warm up before you drive off, and don't worry about it.

But hey, I've modded my truck for 4x4 purposes. Fuel economy wasn't the point.

 

On a 4x4,not gonna happen. A Pre-Runner maybe. I'm talking about the 500 mile mark. Don't run a thinner oil.

 

I've only hit 500 on a tank once. When I filled the tank back up it had used just under 20 gallons of the 21 gallons. It was all interstate miles with good non-ethanol gas and not exceeding 55mph, typically 6th gear. I can get 400 mile tanks anytime. As a matter of fact right now I'm at 380 as the fuel light came on yesterday at 366. So I have a good 4 gallons left. If you hook up a vacuum gauge to your brake booster and observe it while you drive you will quickly learn how inefficient you drive if you are of the ones that get only 300 miles to the tank on your V6.

 

I'm not trying to be a jerk, but a person this concerned about mpg should be driving something other than a Tacoma.

I am considering 0W-30, but for use in winter driving. The first second or two at startup is the worst thing an engine endures for normal driving.

 

lester, what trucks made today get better than 25mpgs in a V6?

 

The info you've provided regarding mpg is interesting, but most realize that if you drive 55, you'll get better miles per tank. I can get 22.xx driving between 60-65 and did that once early in the life of my truck for curiosity sake. I no longer do that as I have better things to do than spend more time driving for the sake of better mpg.

I use 0W-20 in my wife's '14 4 Runner because that's what the owners manual calls for. For now(summer), I use 5W-30 in my '15 Tacoma for the same reason. I'm not going to experiment 2nd guessing people who have grad school degrees in engineering.

If you want to run 0W-20 in your engine, go for it.

 

coming for 2018 the tacoma-prius hybrid

 

Sweet! Now I can be a Californicator & a man at the same time!

 

If you're worried about MPGs you shouldn't drive a truck - period. Driving a vehicle capable of hauling things necessitates reduced fuel economy.

If MPGs is really the highest priority get yourself a sedan.

 

I presume you have a 2wd? If you have not already done so look at running Red Line synthetic in the differential and the manual trans- reduce driveline friction loss.

I run the ultra gauge and agree driving to the gauge will definitly give you mileage improvement

 

My Taco rolled across the scale last time at 5840 pounds. I'm happy to be in the 17-18 mpg range with my load E 33s. That's not extra towing or hauling weight...

 

what did you have in it, do you have different bumpers/armor?

 

Last week I rolled off the Interstate with the amber light on and had 444 on the tank. That was in Colorado, including a highway trip over two (small-ish) passes, one up-and-back to Monarch Pass (11,300) and two hours on I-25 at 75+ mph. I wasn't doing a damn thing to be careful about gas, because I had my niece visiting and time was more important (and because I rarely do anything about it). It was all highway though.

I'm curious about how much could be related to my tires. I am almost to 26K miles and the OE tires are pretty worn. Due for rotation, so my rears are 1-2mm shallower tread depth than the fronts. My speedo may be understating the speed (and subsequently the odometer may be counting less than a mile as a mile).

I've gotten over 400 before but never close to 450.

EDIT: I would not even consider putting lighter oil than the manual recommends for some incremental fuel savings. I have my doubts that it would even have an effect, unless you were going from 20w-50.

 

I have skids and sliders. The rest is work related tools and gear. That was with 3/4 tank of fuel and before I added the Dakars, actually. I'm sure it's around 5900 now.

 

While I can respect your efforts to maximize fuel economy, if you are doing 55 on a 70 mph interstate, I would suggest you are not helping the flow of traffic.