Engine Oil, Climate, and Use.

I've been doing my best to learn about engine oil classifications as I'm planning to start doing my own oil changes. I've read a few different things saying that for certain climates you should change from the recommended 0w-20. Living in the north east the climate can range greatly though never to the extremes that other places experience, though it does get pretty cold some times.

With the truck doing mostly town and highway miles during the colder season and then going highway/adventure when it's warmer and in other parts of the US where it gets really hot. Is there any real substance to swapping to a different viscosity?

Or is the best method to just stick with 0w-20 and get on with life?

 

You are going to get a lot of differing options on this one.

 

What does your owner's manual say?

 

I’m starting to wonder if it says:
“Ask TW, they just love their daily oil threads”

 

Ugh, Friday was yesterday.

@silverarrow, your Owner's Manual says 0W-20 for all conditions. Is that statement somehow worthy of overthinking?

 

Use whatever oil is most appropriate for your use case and ignore the bible thumping "owners manual people."

 

According to the manual, 0w-20 is the one to stick with……

 

Manual also states that your driving conditions may dictate using a heavier viscosity. A lot of owners manual thumpers leave that part out.

• The 20 in 0W-20 indicates the viscosity characteristic of the oil when the oil is at high temperature. An oil with a higher viscosity (one with a higher value) may be better suited if the vehicle is operated at high speeds, or under extreme load conditions.

 

Unless you do more independent oil research and in your own words can state why you're using a different viscosity, use what it says on the oil cap which for this truck is 0w-20 year round.

Not against knowing when to use varying viscosities but if you're just starting out in the "jungle of oil" then keep it basic and use what they suggest

 

For the record, I don’t necessarily go by the manual.
But it’s the safest answer to use on the internet


Personally, I like any of the oily type oils.

 

Hehehehe

 

pretty sure vehicles that call for 0w20
get 0w20
in 0deg. And 110deg. Been in both.

Me personally I pour in whatever I have because it's a Toyota 4x4.
0w0, 5w30, 5w40, 0w40, or all of the above mixed together

however on 4L that has a more regular oil specification that's generally universally compatible with the above

 

I run whatever Toyota’s own very smart engineers say is safe…which in the case of the 2GR-FKS means anything ranging from 0W-20 to 15W-40 based on a climate chart that ends up in the owner’s manual of other countries. You just won’t find that chart in the North America owner’s manual due to politics…so here you’ll be told 0W-20 no matter what.

Flame on.

 

There you go. That means a cold weight of anywhere from 0 to 15
and hot weight of 20 to 40
ie most oils.
Though up to 15 probably is for what you say; heat. Not as thin for cold start protection at low temp.
Some places get hot in the day 12pm with sun overhead, but still cold early morning.

 

Yes, the chart I refer to tells you to not go below 0°F/-18°C for 10W-30 and not below 10°F/-12°C for 15W-40. 0W-20, 5W-20, and 5W-30 are all fine down to any temp, according to the chart at least.

 

I prefer honey. Much better for the environment. Can you use Honey as Engine Oil? Let's find out! - YouTube

 

I would stick with a 0W winter rating personally in such a cold climate. 0w-40 is a Euro spec oil and what I use. It is a much more robust formulation and is rated for Audi, Mercedes, Porsche, etc. 0w-20 is not; it is economy oil. Not that this is bad but it is also the thinnest oil allowed in the 2GR-FKS. 0w-20 pour point will be slightly better. Both are rated past -40 degrees. I would consider investing an oil / transmission pan heater. This will more beneficial for your cold starts in a very cold climate, if the vehicle is parked outside. Pick your poison.

Higher hot viscosity offers better engine protection at operating temps and is a more robust formulation.

Lower hot viscosity offers less engine protection at temp but increases fuel efficiency, slightly.

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