5W20 or 5W30?

[valpoyaris]

So I got an oil change the other day and the guy asked what oild I wanted, I told him 5W20 (which is what was in it since the day I got it a year ago), he wrote down 5W20, but then he put in 5W30. Is there any concern/problem running that or should I go back a bitch up a storm and make them switch it out? I only ask because it seems to be bogging down when I accelerate since then. Thanks for the help.

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v331/61/97/1348024959/n1348024959_66498_1209.jpg

[SpaceShot]

I don't think the 30 versus 20 will be a real problem. And rather than go back and complain, I just wouldn't go back. Take your business somewhere else.

If you are absolutely sure, its not just your expectation that is making it feel bogged down, check your level after a day or two. It should be between the marks on the dipstick and not over the top one. Someone who mixed up the weight without really looking, could have easily overfilled it with 4 or more full quarts instead of the 3.3 you needed.

[eric81]

Yeah, they easily put in 4 qt's in my engine as well, and I am now going to switch to AMSOIL or Royal Purple now, and do it myself. They were supposed to put in 5W-20 in my engine, and use synthetic. I am pretty sure they did neither. So, I am selling back the prepaid maintenance and do it myself.

[marcus]

our yaris need 5w-30.. canadian..

[The little red pill]

I thought 5w-30 is what's recommended in our cars. In fact, it even says it on the oil filler cap. In hot areas or high altitudes (Colorado) I would think the 5w-20 would be too thin to fully protect the engine.
I know some people advocate 5w-20 for a little better fuel economy, but I would rather have my engine protected with 5w-30.

[MUSKOKA800]

our yaris need 5w-30.. canadian..


That's what my manual specifies.

[marcus]

5w-30 is also on the oil cap but i believe usa got an update for them to be able to use 5w-20..

[valpoyaris]

This was the first oil change not at the dealer, dealer has always put in 5W20. Will check the level for sure, kid who did it had me outta there pretty quick...could have screwed up.

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v331/61/97/1348024959/n1348024959_66498_1209.jpg

[TheSilkySmooth]

The 08 car is supposed to use 5w-30 not 5w-20. You guys are misreading the TSB which I will say is poorly written and makes it confusing. Right at the top of the tsb EGO18-06, it says at the TOP in a big RED BOX, 'NOTE: to use what the oil filler cap says or the owners manual or the Maintenance manual for you year/model!' The tSB is saying that toyota recommend GF4 oils now (not ILSAC GF3 - the factory fill) and that newer models are transitioning to 5w-20. BUT NOT THE 08! Re-read the TSB and tell me which part you dont understand. I have not called Toyota to get this clarified, as I tried 5w-20 Mobil1 and the engine made so much racket I dumped it in 15 minutes of putting it in.
So not to be an ass ... Hey, if your car runs quiet and smooth and gets good gas mileage, running the the 5w-20, stick with it! You got an out with the crap TSB. I would verify with the selling dealer service manager though and get it in writing on a R.O. in the system.:headbang:

[mikenacarato]

when in doubt....read the cap

[deerebilt]

i have called toyota and was told that my 2008 sedan was factory filled with toyota 5w30 petroleum oil and recommend 5w30 petrol oil not 5w20. i too will not sacrifice engine protection for 1 or 2 mpg. as it is my yaris which has 21k mi now overall avg mpg is 43.6 my last 2 tanks were 48 mpg

[eric81]

Isn't the engine the exact same in 08's and 09's? The 1NZ-FE 1.5l engine? They changed absolutely NOTHING between the years, and you are allowed to use a different oil? Probably the same guys who decided to put two air filters in, or make the muffler enter and exit the same side... NO SENSE AT ALL!!! I am switching up to Royal Purple for engine oil and gear oil. Protects better and lasts longer.

[TheSilkySmooth]

Royal purple? Why? It not even synthetic? Why pay $$$ for non-synthetic, you like given your money to da man?

[TheSilkySmooth]

Try THIS:

[BailOut]

The 08 car is supposed to use 5w-30 not 5w-20. You guys are misreading the TSB which I will say is poorly written and makes it confusing. Right at the top of the tsb EGO18-06, it says at the TOP in a big RED BOX, 'NOTE: to use what the oil filler cap says or the owners manual or the Maintenance manual for you year/model!' The tSB is saying that toyota recommend GF4 oils now (not ILSAC GF3 - the factory fill) and that newer models are transitioning to 5w-20. BUT NOT THE 08! Re-read the TSB and tell me which part you dont understand.
Whoa... you're absolutely right, and it's the first time I ever heard it mentioned! Thank you for that.

However, I've been running 5w20 for 40k miles now and it has done just fine so I'll stick with it.

[eric81]

Royal Purple has been proven time and time again to improve horsepower in cars by about 3% on average. It is in Car & Driver, Mustang Magazine, Speed, and several others. Simply changing out the oil's from whatever they are to Royal Purple improves HP by 3%.

[turboecho2005]

Royal Purple has been proven time and time again to improve horsepower in cars by about 3% on average. It is in Car & Driver, Mustang Magazine, Speed, and several others. Simply changing out the oil's from whatever they are to Royal Purple improves HP by 3%.

Royal Purple FTW... its the only oil i used in my car...

[07WYarisRS]

There is nothing wrong with Royal purple, its far better then most big brand name group III synthetics like Castrol and Q state etc.
However Royal purple regular oils are all still group III synthetics made from crude/mineral oil. Only thier racing oils are group I~IV

[1stToyota]

So I guess if you just wanted to spend the extra $$$ to get group III, Amsoil's XL series might be the choice @ a cheaper cost than RP...

[hatchbackkid82]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[07WYarisRS]

Yeah Amsoil XL and Mobil1 are still the best bang for the buck out there in the Group III range.

[Tamago]

the 20 vs 30 is the COLD TEMP VISCOSITY

if it's cold outside, go with a 20

if it's warm outside, go with a 30

once the oil is up to temp it's a "5" anyway

[1stToyota]

the 20 vs 30 is the COLD TEMP VISCOSITY

if it's cold outside, go with a 20

if it's warm outside, go with a 30

once the oil is up to temp it's a "5" anyway


That's back-asswards :laugh:

[Tamago]

That's back-asswards :laugh:

thanks for catchign my oil dyslexia ;)

[The little red pill]

A very basic way I use to remember the viscosity is like this:
example: 5w-30.
5 is how thin the oil gets which is important for cold weather
30 is how thick the oil gets which is important for protection in hot weather.