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Yep, in the drive for better mpg ratings, manufacturers are continually lowering the bar. 0w20 was the first round, 0w16 is where they're at now. 0W12 and 0W8 are already in development. It reduces friction....and protection.
Yep, in the drive for better mpg ratings, manufacturers are continually lowering the bar. 0w20 was the first round, 0w16 is where they're at now. 0W12 and 0W8 are already in development. It reduces friction....and protection.
For hot weather and/or driving conditions, I like the heavier grades, too (in fact, GM still specifies 5W30 synthetic for the 3.6L V6 in my Lacrosse), but viscosity for some engines has been been lowering for a reason. Yes, quick-flow conditions on a cold winter start is one reason (as is CAFE ratings)...but another, often-overlooked reason is that today's engines are being built to extremely tight tolerances that are difficult for heavier-grade oils, particulalry when cold, to easily penetrate and flow past. The tolerances, of course, increase as the engine is broken in and wears with age. That's why the so-called "High-Mileage" oil that is intended for old, worn engines with loose tolerances is of a higher-then-usual viscosity.....the thicker oil helps improve and make up for those loose tolerances and is not used or burned-off as easily, as would be the case with trying to use thin grades on those worn engines.
I think it is quite right to follow the manual for the vehicle. The low number is for cold starts. Toyota Australia allows one to use many different mutligrade oils where Toyota Canada is just one: same engine
I think it is quite right to follow the manual for the vehicle. The low number is for cold starts. Toyota Australia allows one to use many different mutligrade oils where Toyota Canada is just one: same engine
That's interesting, considering that Australia is a semi-tropical country (actually tropical in the north, near the Equator), that sees relatively little in the way of truly severe winter conditions.....certainly nothing like interior Canada.
That's interesting, considering that Australia is a semi-tropical country (actually tropical in the north, near the Equator), that sees relatively little in the way of truly severe winter conditions.....certainly nothing like interior Canada.
Yes it is interesting. Toyota even states in Canada that you must go back to 0W20 if you use 5W just once if 0W was not available. I am sure same applies to USA
For hot weather and/or driving conditions, I like the heavier grades, too (in fact, GM still specifies 5W30 synthetic for the 3.6L V6 in my Lacrosse), but viscosity for some engines has been been lowering for a reason. Yes, quick-flow conditions on a cold winter start is one reason (as is CAFE ratings)...but another, often-overlooked reason is that today's engines are being built to extremely tight tolerances that are difficult for heavier-grade oils, particulalry when cold, to easily penetrate and flow past.
I don't think this is correct. As an example, the S65 V8 in the E9x BMW M3 has tolerances so incredibly tight that the journal bearings routinely fail and destroy the crankshaft--the fix is aftermarket bearings that are ever so slightly thinner than the OEM ones. Yet the factory fill and only allowable oil is 20W80. No, these ultra-low viscosity oils are for fuel economy and nothing else.
Originally Posted by 4TehNguyen
its for the new engines to resist LSPI on turbocharged engines
LSPI is indeed a thing, but at the link you posted they call out that their existing catalog of oils (including 5W-30 and 10W-30) have met the 2018 standard for a decade. They didn't start making 0W-16 until this year.
Why would Toyota flat out say lower viscosiooils are for better cold weather starting then?
That's the first number, the "0W". This means the oil is equivalent to zero weight during cold starts. We've been using 5W and 0W oils for decades at this point. They do indeed help cold starts. What's new is the last number being so low. That is the viscosity at operating temperature.
That's the first number, the "0W". This means the oil is equivalent to zero weight during cold starts. We've been using 5W and 0W oils for decades at this point. They do indeed help cold starts. What's new is the last number being so low. That is the viscosity at operating temperature.
So, if it is only for fuel economy reasons. Why would they state that those in Australia can use any of the oil they list whereas in North America it is just the 0W? They list the operating temps for all oils in the Australian manuals, but not North A. All for sale engines.
I don't think this is correct. As an example, the S65 V8 in the E9x BMW M3 has tolerances so incredibly tight that the journal bearings routinely fail and destroy the crankshaft--the fix is aftermarket bearings that are ever so slightly thinner than the OEM ones. Yet the factory fill and only allowable oil is 20W80. No, these ultra-low viscosity oils are for fuel economy and nothing else.
Or simply BMW specifying oil too thick for the clearances. While not common, it has been known to happen with automakers. Remember, BMW had a substantial period where they were replacing a lot of engines (even M3 engines), under warranty, for a number of reasons.
I don't think this is correct. As an example, the S65 V8 in the E9x BMW M3 has tolerances so incredibly tight that the journal bearings routinely fail and destroy the crankshaft--the fix is aftermarket bearings that are ever so slightly thinner than the OEM ones. Yet the factory fill and only allowable oil is 20W80. No, these ultra-low viscosity oils are for fuel economy and nothing else.
Perhaps so, but still a very strange recommendation for an engine with such tight clearances. That could be one of the reasons why BMW has replaced a number of engines under warranty, particuarly with M3s, although some of that that also involved other issues, like defective cooling fan switches that allowed overheating and engine fires.
0W-16 Engine oil??
That could be one of the reasons why BMW has replaced a number of engines under warranty, particuarly with M3s, although some of that that also involved other issues, like defective cooling fan switches that allowed overheating and engine fires. 