Just a quick Oil question

[mr_miles]

Getting ready to do the first oil change in the Yaris, and I'm debating going to synthetic 0-20w. I've only got 23k on the engine on what I assume is 5-30 like the cap says. I've typically owned older vehicles where I automatically went to 20-50w or straight 30, never down to a lower viscosity. i guess my main question is - is this a bad idea? short of listening for any knocks or clatters from going to a lower oil, what else should I look for?

[A-Dingo-Ate-My-Baby]

there is one answer, that ALWAYS is correct

use the oil specified in the owners manual and on the oil cap.

------------------------------------------------------------------
and
yes it is better for long life of the motor to choose synthetics

never use straight 30, it is a little motor that revs high, it needs multi-viscosity

if the manual doesn't say 0w, don't use a 0w. it won't break anything though
if you do use it. it might save gas, but also more can possibly blow by the rings
harming that little baby owl up in those oregon trees


you cannot go wrong with the above information

[RedRide]

You got 23k on the yaris and have yet to change the oil?

[A-Dingo-Ate-My-Baby]

ya^ I saw that too...if he keeps that up he won't be mr_miles for long...here comes mr_shoes

[mr_miles]

haha, i know about using the oil it says to use, but I'm interested in the fuel economy stuff section, and am curious to know if it really does make a difference. I had a 71 Scout II that i ran straight 30 in as it was older than dirt, and I run 20 50 in my rx7 because it has weak oil control rings. :p

I suppose if i did do it and started getting a little blowby or what-not I'd just go back to regular oil....

Redride - guess i should have been more specific! I've actually only put about 500 miles on the Yaris since I've owned it. so it would be my first oil change on the car, not hers! ( I hope)

[RedRide]

^
OK :smile:

[A-Dingo-Ate-My-Baby]

0w will get better mileage, but only a tiny tiny bit better
LRR tires at higher pressures will give far more MPG improvement than any oil will

your car engine was designed, built, and tested in Japan with 5w-30 ,
so you should stick with it

[mr_miles]

Come tax season I'm getting new wheels and hopefully LRR tires if i can find them for whatever wheel i happen to buy. Guess I'll just stick with the regular oil, then :p This being the newest and nicest car I've ever owned, I'm just trying to do the best for it economically and mechanically. thanks for all the help guys :D

[nemelek]

There is no quick oil type question on this forum. I use 5-30

[Klink10]

A quality synthetic 5W-30.

[Happy Little Pony]

I just stick with the 5w30, but I have used Mobil 1 "AFE" 0w30. It might be a good compromise, especially on bitterly cold days this winter.

[mr_miles]

Looks like I'll just go with 5w30. kind of stuck between Royal purple or mobil 1, though. :(

[2007yariz]

Go with Mobil 1, Royal Purple is overkill!

You can get Mobil 1 for $5/qt and RP cost twice as much as M1!

[mr_miles]

No such thing as overkill when it comes to keeping the engine happy! I probly' will go with Mobil, definitely cheaper.

[bronsin]

Sadly synthetic oil is no better for your car than 0W-20 would be better than 5W-30.


But...


I waiting for -5W-30!

[Hamster]

I've used Shell with great success. But I agree, just use 5W-30, like the manual says.

[mr_miles]

Picked up some mobil 1 synthetic and a matching filter. shall do the change tomorrow morning! gotta get under her anyhow, there's some wiring for when it used to be towed behind a RV still attached. Don't need that!

[Hershey]

Using SHELL full synthetic 5w-20 ( SN/GF-5) and TOYOTA oil filter for the '08 sedan . Few years ago there was a TSB from TOYOTA giving the approval of 5w-20 for the YARIS . Had the dealer service center give us a signed paper for the use of the 5w-20 for warranty . The SHELL synthetic was $4 a quart and oil filter $3.50 , not an expensive O.C. . Plan on getting a used oil analysis for this run in the early spring and will post it .

[mr_miles]

Nice, i'll be waiting for that info. changed the oil today and it took around 4 quarts and it says it's full. Right on the money :) will check it again after a nice drive.

had an OEM toyota filter on it and the used oil that came out was nice and smooth. very happy about that. unfortunately it didn't stop my engine noise. i can hear the valves or rods moving. i know its nothing to worry about, but i dislike the fact that i can hear them. its barely audible but it's still there. my gf's Lumina did that and I always disliked it. now that I'm out of the rotary world i have to think about all these little things again....

[fnkngrv]

I am running AMSOIL 5w-20 for the first time. AMSOIL says that you can go 15k between changes however I am skeptical. When I do decide to make my next change I plan on sending in the kit for an analysis. I will post results which should be hopefully interesting in a good way. The entire cycle will have been while I was boosted as well as doing the weekend of the Land Speed Races which of course had 13 runs from 0-120mph for a total of 32.5mi on the course and then 60mph on the cooldown return course for a total of 13mi. I am at roughly 8k on the cycle and when I checked this week the oil still looked pretty decent. I am also running an AMSOIL filter.