Oil
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 208
Likes: 56
From: Florida
Oil
First Japanese car. I see my engine oil recommendation says 0w-20. 20 weight just goes against my history of 30 and 40 weight. Yes, I've been around cars a long time and gotten my hands dirty. I also realize it's what the manufacturer recommends, so don't be stupid (me that is).
Does everyone religiously use 20 weight?
Does everyone religiously use 20 weight?
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 208
Likes: 56
From: Florida
2.4l. I live in NE Florida, so it gets warm. Mostly higher speed driving on back roads and interstates. I usually use Mobil1 and change every 5000 - 6000 miles. I haven't read yet what brand oils are recommended for this engine.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,486
Likes: 3,998
From: Maryland
Personally I would just run what the manufacturer recommends. Can you run a 30W oil? Sure. Is it going to do anything for you? No.
As for brand, Mobil 1 is fine. I would use any respected name brand oil and you will be fine especially changing it every 5k miles.
As for brand, Mobil 1 is fine. I would use any respected name brand oil and you will be fine especially changing it every 5k miles.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,334
Likes: 237
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
First Japanese car. I see my engine oil recommendation says 0w-20. 20 weight just goes against my history of 30 and 40 weight. Yes, I've been around cars a long time and gotten my hands dirty. I also realize it's what the manufacturer recommends, so don't be stupid (me that is).
Does everyone religiously use 20 weight?
Does everyone religiously use 20 weight?
Many recent vehicles use 0W-20 for several reasons. First, manufacturing-tolerances in newer engines are much tighter than decades ago, and thinner oil is needed to adequately lubricate those narrow tolerances. Second, thinner oil flows better in winter, and the engine will not suffer as much wear on a cold start before warmup. Third, all else equal, thinner oil often means better CAFE mileage figures.....and auto manufacturers are under government pressure for that.
The downside to thinner oil, of course, is that it is more likely to be burned in the cylinders or otherwise used up inside the engine, and oil-consumption could (?) increase. That is because, especially in an older engine, thin oil is more likely to get past worn or loose-fitting piston rings / valve-seals, and be sucked into the cylinder itself. Automakers also tend to use looser-fitting rings today, even when new, for less friction in the engine and better acceleration/gas mileage.
Last edited by mmarshall; Nov 7, 2025 at 02:56 PM.
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is it a turbo engine? i'm a bit more cautious with oil in forced induction. for a heavy car like say a subaru ascent, i would be even more cautious (plus bc boxer engine)!
Racer
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 1,348
Likes: 343
It does if you:
-are a long haul owner/ million mile type owner
-enjoy understanding the nuances of engine design and how oil choices effect wear and performance
-drive in those special duty scenarios toyota designates certain driving style
-understand what oil ratings are and what SAE j300 refers to.
If your the above, find your engine code, and search for the global manual. Toyota recommends a variety of oils for motors that only run 0w8-20 in the NADM.
If you are not one of those owners,
-open manual or open the hood, find and note the numbers on the oil cap
-walk to your nearest store grab the appropriate amount of any brand, grab an oe Toyota filter
-change every 5k/6 months
-enjoy
If thats too much, let the dealer change it, and enjoy the ride.
-are a long haul owner/ million mile type owner
-enjoy understanding the nuances of engine design and how oil choices effect wear and performance
-drive in those special duty scenarios toyota designates certain driving style
-understand what oil ratings are and what SAE j300 refers to.
If your the above, find your engine code, and search for the global manual. Toyota recommends a variety of oils for motors that only run 0w8-20 in the NADM.
If you are not one of those owners,
-open manual or open the hood, find and note the numbers on the oil cap
-walk to your nearest store grab the appropriate amount of any brand, grab an oe Toyota filter
-change every 5k/6 months
-enjoy
If thats too much, let the dealer change it, and enjoy the ride.
Last edited by Framestead; Nov 7, 2025 at 04:43 PM.
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 208
Likes: 56
From: Florida
It does if you:
-are a long haul owner/ million mile type owner
-enjoy understanding the nuances of engine design and how oil choices effect wear and performance
-drive in those special duty scenarios toyota designates certain driving style
-understand what oil ratings are and what SAE j300 refers to.
If you are not one of those owners,
-open manual or open the hood, find and note the numbers on the oil cap
-walk to your nearest store grab the appropriate amount of any brand, grab an oe Toyota filter
-change every 5k/6 months
-enjoy
If thats too much, let the dealer change it, and enjoy the ride.
-are a long haul owner/ million mile type owner
-enjoy understanding the nuances of engine design and how oil choices effect wear and performance
-drive in those special duty scenarios toyota designates certain driving style
-understand what oil ratings are and what SAE j300 refers to.
If you are not one of those owners,
-open manual or open the hood, find and note the numbers on the oil cap
-walk to your nearest store grab the appropriate amount of any brand, grab an oe Toyota filter
-change every 5k/6 months
-enjoy
If thats too much, let the dealer change it, and enjoy the ride.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 1,348
Likes: 343
At least oil has a standardized rating to meet, which for any toyo product is pretty easy to meet, API. The filter industry is the wild west, and with PE gobbling up the makers and then producing hits like the First Brands fiasco, which resulted in qc concerns, these days oe is best.