1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Different oil weight for towing?

Discussion in 'Towing & Hauling' started by AZ Mike, Jun 13, 2017.

  1. Jun 13, 2017 at 4:32 PM
    #1
    AZ Mike

    AZ Mike [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2017
    Member:
    #7849
    Messages:
    2
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Vehicle:
    2014 Tundra SR5 4x4
    Have always used 0w/20 Mobil 1 since day one in my 2014 5.7 , thinking of switching to 0w/30 for a trip pulling heavy boat to lake Powell from central AZ. Owners manual states "an oil with higher viscosity may be better suited if the vehicle is operated at high speeds or under extreme load conditions". Does anyone have experience good or bad switch oil weights?
     
  2. Jun 13, 2017 at 4:34 PM
    #2
    Y0TA PR0

    Y0TA PR0 Dirt biking & fishing

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2016
    Member:
    #2519
    Messages:
    22,327
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rafael
    Alberta, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2017 TRD PRO
    Welcome, I'm sure someone will chime in soon. Any pictures of your truck?
     
    Bob likes this.
  3. Jun 13, 2017 at 5:05 PM
    #3
    TXRailRoadBandit73

    TXRailRoadBandit73 YOTAS,RAILROADER,RÖKnRÖLLN',BEER,MAX/GEMMA

    Joined:
    May 30, 2016
    Member:
    #3487
    Messages:
    50,305
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Adam
    The 956, TEXAS
    None yet
    Bienvenidos de Tejas...post pics of your ride
     
  4. Jun 13, 2017 at 5:10 PM
    #4
    831Tun

    831Tun heartless Bastrd

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2016
    Member:
    #3549
    Messages:
    11,577
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Warren
    Santa Cruz
    Vehicle:
    '16 CM limited
    TC long travel. Deaver 420 SU leaf packs.
    Welcome Mike.
     
  5. Jun 13, 2017 at 5:45 PM
    #5
    gosolo

    gosolo You Don’t Know Who I Am But I Know Where You Live

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2015
    Member:
    #2064
    Messages:
    7,904
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ray
    NW Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2015 DC Super Fine Super White Pro
    2"CB shackles, bushings and 1 shim, lockerdown console vault, rear folding seat back mod, snugtop shell with opening side windows, 46g fuel tank, SDHQ sliders and hidden winch, Decked Drawers, Alcan leaf springs and got rid of the interior chrome
    There's no downside to what you are looking at doing. Maybe not needed but would not hurt anything
     
  6. Jun 13, 2017 at 5:53 PM
    #6
    Flyinryank

    Flyinryank New Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2017
    Member:
    #7635
    Messages:
    1,288
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ryan
    Las Vegas, NV
    Vehicle:
    White 2015 CM 4x4
    AFE Dry S Drop-In Filter TRD Air Accelerator TRD Radiator Cap TRD Fuel Cap TRD Pro Grill/Hood Body Mount Chop Bilstein 6112s CB Shim on Driver Side Bilstein 5160s ICON Rear Spring Pack Factory Painted Door Handles BFG KO2s 305/65R18 Method NV 18x9 +25 NFAB RKR Rails SDHQ ABS Guards SDHQ Ditch Light Brackets Baja Designs Squadron Pros
    I'm thinking you might lose a little mpg under similar driving conditions
     
  7. Jun 13, 2017 at 8:18 PM
    #7
    AZ Mike

    AZ Mike [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2017
    Member:
    #7849
    Messages:
    2
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Vehicle:
    2014 Tundra SR5 4x4
    Thanks for input, I have been a mechanic for 38 yrs. but still like getting as much info as possible. This is a great site/forum for the best trucks made!
     
  8. Jun 13, 2017 at 9:06 PM
    #8
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    Member:
    #2766
    Messages:
    35,610
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    LML 3500HD
    Calibrated Power 5 Tune pack, Allison 1000 tune, PPE deep trans pan, Cold/Hot CAC pipes, Banks CAI, PCV reroute, resonator delete, S&B 62 gal fuel tank, B&W GN hitch
    0W30 is a great option for towing at freeway speeds, high heat situations. I used the hell out of it every spring to fall.
     
    JC303 likes this.
  9. Jun 16, 2017 at 1:09 AM
    #9
    TTund16

    TTund16 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2017
    Member:
    #5798
    Messages:
    1,150
    Gender:
    Male
    what do u think about 5W-30 for hot weather not going below 50F to 60F?
     
  10. Jun 16, 2017 at 1:17 AM
    #10
    Tomcat

    Tomcat Ever see a motorcycle outside a shrinks office?

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2017
    Member:
    #6309
    Messages:
    2,742
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2010 SR5 4X4 5.7 20" wheels Metallic Gray
    Bakflip
  11. Jun 16, 2017 at 4:01 AM
    #11
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    Member:
    #2766
    Messages:
    35,610
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    LML 3500HD
    Calibrated Power 5 Tune pack, Allison 1000 tune, PPE deep trans pan, Cold/Hot CAC pipes, Banks CAI, PCV reroute, resonator delete, S&B 62 gal fuel tank, B&W GN hitch
    Shouldn't be an issue either as long as it meets our manufactures specs for engine oil.
     
  12. Jun 16, 2017 at 6:45 AM
    #12
    TXRailRoadBandit73

    TXRailRoadBandit73 YOTAS,RAILROADER,RÖKnRÖLLN',BEER,MAX/GEMMA

    Joined:
    May 30, 2016
    Member:
    #3487
    Messages:
    50,305
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Adam
    The 956, TEXAS
    None yet
  13. Jun 19, 2017 at 8:43 PM
    #13
    TTund16

    TTund16 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2017
    Member:
    #5798
    Messages:
    1,150
    Gender:
    Male
    well spec is 0W-20 but the 20 is what gets me since with dino xW-30 or even xW-40 used to be recommended (not for tundra ... at least in US) for hot weathers.
    I need to study the synthetic oil and see what 20 means relative to dino 30 or 40 ...
    never used synthetic before and I have or had cars with 270K miles and one with 400K miles using dino 10W-30, 5W-30 and 10W-40
     
  14. Jun 20, 2017 at 6:26 AM
    #14
    chphilo

    chphilo Tundra addict

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2014
    Member:
    #774
    Messages:
    2,252
    Gender:
    Male
    Western PA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Toyota Tundra TRD 5.7 4x4 CM
    I've seen some guys who two heavy using 0w-30. I personally would go with 0w-30 rather than 5w-30 even though the difference between 5 and 0 is small. Cold start doesn't mean cold temperature start.
     
    TTund16 likes this.
  15. Jun 20, 2017 at 10:58 PM
    #15
    TTund16

    TTund16 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2017
    Member:
    #5798
    Messages:
    1,150
    Gender:
    Male
    0w-30 maybe a good alternative for hotter climate or towing ...

    fyi, they sell the same Tundra and sequoia in some counties that don't even have synthetic.
    I was talking to an army guy a while back and if I recall correctly he told me that Toyota specifies 5w-30 dino in those countries.
    he also mentioned something about xW-40 but I don't remember.
    I don't think Toyota changed the engine for US market!

    we have a 2014 car that specifies synthetic and also 5W-30 or 10W-30 if synthetic is not available!!!!
     
    Last edited: Jun 20, 2017
    Bob likes this.
  16. Jun 21, 2017 at 10:42 AM
    #16
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    Member:
    #2766
    Messages:
    35,610
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    LML 3500HD
    Calibrated Power 5 Tune pack, Allison 1000 tune, PPE deep trans pan, Cold/Hot CAC pipes, Banks CAI, PCV reroute, resonator delete, S&B 62 gal fuel tank, B&W GN hitch
    0W20 was used for fuel economy. For towing, use 0W30.
     
    Bob likes this.
  17. Jun 21, 2017 at 11:00 AM
    #17
    Spvrtan

    Spvrtan Amateur fabricator

    Joined:
    Apr 2, 2015
    Member:
    #1140
    Messages:
    1,676
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Kris
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    Black '14 CM SR5 w/ SC; 40s on 17s; 5.29s
    I'm not towing but my truck sure as hell weighs almost a ton more than stock, especially with the 40" tires causing more drivetrain stress. Should I switch to 0W-30 from 0W-20? I'm in CA for weather.
     
    Bob likes this.
  18. Jun 22, 2017 at 2:16 AM
    #18
    TTund16

    TTund16 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2017
    Member:
    #5798
    Messages:
    1,150
    Gender:
    Male
    I would be the last person to definitely recommend something different than the manufacturer spec (0W-20).
    having said that, in US alone, the 0W-20 is specified for a wide temp range from Alaska (-40F or colder in winter) down to Phoenix area (wasn't it 120F a few days ago) ... also 0W-20 suppose to cover one year and/or10K miles. So we are talking about a wide temperature range.

    • would 0W-30 be a better choice if towing in hot weather or if you live in Phoenix or southern states???
    • Can a knowledgeable person tweak the spec (e.g. use 0w-30) based on the region & conditions they are driving in?
    • What does Toyota recommend for the same engines in Europe, Africa or middle east or other parts of the world with cold weather? Based on what i have heard, some don't have synthetic yet and Toyota doesn't specifies it either! we need to get hold of a foreign user's manual! I was told spec is 5W-30 (one of my favorite dino oil) is some of those countries.
    now what?
    1. its a good idea to study synthetic oil and make an educated decision. refer to bullet #3 above!
    2. even better is to do a UOA (Used oil analysis).
    0W-20 maybe a cure-all. like I said before, I have never used synthetic and Tundra is my only car that specifies 0W-20 and I am not due for an oil change yet. btw, I have heard rumors (even mentioned on this site) that some dealers don't have 0W-20 and use bulk 5W-30.

    the above is on my to-do list, amongst millions of other things .... lol
    I am very comfortable with dino oil, I have/had cars with over 187K, 270K and 400K miles with no engine problems using dino oil. also previously mentioned that we have a 2014 car that specifies synthetic and also 5W-30 or 10W-30 (my other favorite oil) if synthetic is not available!!!!
    Synthetic is a new territory for me. I ask questions to see what others have experienced and what oil they are using. I know one of my neighbors with a 2010? (can't remember) Tundra who uses 5W-30. He is an older guy and anti synthetic! his car runs great! again I am not recommending it.

    conclusion:
    until I do my homework (refer to 1 & 2 above), I will use 0W-20.
    would I use 0W-30 if I had to? yes
     
    Last edited: Jun 22, 2017

Products Discussed in

To Top