Another motor oil debate.

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So the concern is the "20" in 0w20?

Cold or hot outside, once the motor reaches its normal operating temperature the viscosity will be ~20 unless the motor overheats or is unable to achieve its normal operating temperature.

 

On a vehicle that is not overladen and has a fully functional cooling system operating as designed, ambient temperatures should only affect startup conditions and length of time to reach operating temperature.

After that, the internal temp of the engine is regulated primarily by the cooling system and secondarily by adequate oil volume and circulation.

Once at operating temperature (cooling system controlled) measured oil temps should be very close for comparable vehicle operating conditions regardless of ambient.

OTOH, what your butt feels when you slap it in the seat is another story.

 

I am in Arkansas . It very seldom gets below 15 degrees F and then only for a day or 2 . Most winters here have few days below 20 F . In the summer We have had weeks in a row above 100 F , but most of the summer is high 80's to 100 . As far as having an issue , if a vehicle is only kept for 5 years and low miles it is no big deal .

 

I did some more research today and found that the 3.5L in the Camry has the same changes in the USA manuals as compared to the Europe manuals . Slightly different engines than the tacoma but both are VVT-i . USA wants only 0W20 but Europe can use up to 20W50 . Its a CAFE thing !

 

We're almost neighbors.

My vehicles are definitely not low milage. I drive 40k+ miles a year and pull sometimes at max GVWR.

I've not looked up the ratings for the 3.5l EU motor you reference but, are they using API / SAE J300 standard?

 

A forum will never agree on what oil is best, but imo, 0w-20 only exists for epa/mpg's. My '14 uses 5w-30, but I'll never run anything lighter/thinner than that in any vehicle I own. That's what I like about America, we can all make our own choices!(at least for now?)

 

Here is a good read from Bob the oil guy

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2485206

 

Element FTMFW

 

All DOHC four cylinders since around 03ish have chains now. Replace them all the time.

 

If they really cared about that they'd full their fluid s properly from the factory and make some sort of scan tool that actually read the levels properly instead of the POS scan tool they have now.

I'm not saying Toyota is purposely recommending an oil that won't stand up to the engines intended design and uses, but that they dropped the ball with the 16s and aren't really holding up their reputation for quality and reliability.

 

@Mr. Torgue as someone who does not defend 2016 trucks at all around here, I do challenge you to show me a single auto manufacturer who rolled out a new make/model/redesign and the first generation of that release being perfect.

 

The transmission/differential fluid fill issue is from the second generation of Tacomas. Should have been fixed a long time ago.

 

A scan tool to check transmission fluid level?!?!?!?! Really?!?!?!? It really just needs to be visually checked after the truck is started/tested. Toyota doesn't need to add a bunch of sensors and develop a new tool for this. That's just silly.

It's a whole different group of people involved in the design of the engines vs. the assembly line folks.

 

I honestly think people are overthinking this.

 

Take a look at the oil recommendation chart in the owners manual for the Tacoma on page 571 . Note that the tip of the arrow for the range of use for 0W20 stops approx. 3/4 of the way between 80 degrees and 100 degrees . in my calculation that is 95 degrees . I see this on other charts from different engines etc. , is the point is of all the different viscosities listed up to 20W50 top out . Does this mean that Toyota does not except responsibility for any thing that happens to the engine when it is used while it is above 95 degrees outside ?

 

Not a single problem with my first year 2005 Tacoma, it is perfect.

 

They already use a scan tool and call it good even though the thing doesn't even properly read if a transmission is low. It's a joke. They never should have taken out the dip stick.

 

So are you going to run something different than the OEM recommended oil?

 

Nope. I'll stick to a 0w20 of some sort