Someone told me that the engine in my '06 RX330 was approved to use 0W-20 Synthetic oil. True?

 

False.

See TSIB EG006-06

It recommends using ILSAC GF–4 SAE 5W–20 oil.

 

Should it also be like 5W-30 at about 100K?

 

True.

The TSB is from 2006. Things have changed since then, such as Toyota introducing their own 0w20 (labelled Toyota, blended by some large oil producer). I've bought several cases from my Toyota dealer, who checked a list on his computer with a whole bunch of engine model numbers on it and confirmed that the engine in the RX was OK to run 0w20.

No need to take my word for it - just call Toyota or Lexus, or ask your dealer. I think the majority of current model year Toyota's and Lexus' all have 0w20 as the recommended weight now.

Don't forget, the majority of the time your engine is at operating temperature and both the 0w20 and the 5w20 will be 20 weights at that time.

 

RCY, this is what I heard. That being said, just because the CURRENT model year Toy/Lex vehicles use 0W-20 in no way, shape or form shows that's ok/safe/recommended for older model years.

THAT being said I also heard what you stated...that 0W-20 is the latest evolution and is indeed safe for my vehicle. But I'd like to get some further confirmation.

 

I've run it (the Toyota 0w20) in my RX400h last winter and this current winter as well. Planned to run it all year, but I had a jug of 5w30 that I needed to get rid of, so I ran the 5w30 in the summer.

So far, the engine hasn't self destructed, it starts with no fuss (-12 celsius the other night) and runs smoothly and quietly. Summer of 2009 it had Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 and I find it seems quieter with the 0w20.

Your call, but checking with Toyota or Lexus corporate (or even the dealer, though some dealers are truly clueless) may give you a definitive answer.

 

the oil is fine to use. the only precaution I give is if you have really high mile you might run into leaks from the valve covers of various other engine seals. and we are talking 100,000 of hard driving for example. but in any case all vehicles will be different and does not necessary mean you will get leaks.
use the new oil and you will get better mileage 1-4 mpg. I'm getting 3-4 extra mpg's

 

I have an 05,and I`m thinking about using the 5W-20. What could possible be the difference between an 05,and an 06 motor?

 

I checked with two local Lexus dealers today and they both said that only 2010 and 2011 models are certified to use 0W20. All older models are covered by the current "March 2006" TSIB which has not been superseded. In this TSIB Toyota recommends the following oil:

ILSAC GF–4 SAE 5W–20 for engines: GR series, JZ series, MZ series, UZ series and VZ series.

This TSIB also has a note highlighted:

"DO NOT use these oils (ILSAC GF–4 SAE 5W–20) in engines other than those listed above. These low–viscosity oils cannot maintain lubrication effectiveness in engines with older designs and could result in smoke emissions from the tailpipe and/or unusual engine noise."

Both dealers stated that the use of unapproved viscosity oils would void the warranty so do so at your own risk.

It could be that these two dealers are just not up to speed on any new TSIB but as Toyota does supersede older TSIBs when they issue new ones, I'd want to see that new TSIB before I started using 0W20 to maintain the warranty in effect. In searching, I have not found any newer TSIB covering this oil recommendation.

You would think that the slight difference between 0w20 and 5w20 would be inconsequential in actual use but it could spell the difference in who pays the $4-5,000 bill if you have an engine failure.

My advice to daryll40 would be to use what Lexus recommends if you wish to maintain your warranty. If you were to have an engine failure and tried to tell Lexus that "someone told me that my engine was certified to use 0W20 oil", they would probably tell you to ask that someone to cover the cost of repair.

 

I can't disagree Jim.

 

MY manual states that my 09RX350 should use 5W30 oil. I asked the dealer to use the new Toyota 0W20, and he refused, stating it did meet specs for my engine. He was right. So I used Mobil 1 5W30.

 

"So I used Mobil 1 5W30." I do like Mobil-1,but I would only use the 5W-30 EP or the 0W-30 AFE. Regular Mobil-1 show`s high iron on uoa`s.

 

Both the 2009 and 2010 RX350 use the 2GR-FE engine. The manual for the 2010 states to use 0w20. Just my opinion (and we know all about opinions, right) but I highly doubt Toyota redesigned the engine from 2009 to 2010 specifically to run 0w20.

 

And yet, my dealer checked and said it was perfectly fine. He had an email from Toyota Canada SPECIFICALLY regarding the 0w20 since it was a new oil that Toyota had introduced. He was very clear on this point as I was specific in enquiring if the Toyota 0w20 was synthetic as it was not marked on the bottle. He had done his own research with Toyota Canada as other customers were wondering if the oil was synthetic or not as well. In addition to confirming that the oil was synthetic, the 3MZ-FE (RX330) engine was listed as OK to use the 0w20.

All this aside, the MZ series of engines are approved to run 5w20. Running a 0w20 will not be a problem.

 

Just to add some confusion...lol

Have a look at this chart

https://pictures.dealer.com/tufankji...c23164ef71.pdf

See the Highlander Hybrid - it has the 3MZ-FE engine still. It lists 5w20 or 0w20 as the recommended oil.