Motor oil for towing in the desert

Hello

I'm on a tour of the USA pulling a travel trailer, just under my tow capacity.

Almost two weeks in I've had no problems.

We're going clockwise. In a couple of weeks we'll be in the New Mexico/Arizona/Nevada deserts.

I'm told it's unbearably hot there in the summer. But we're tough. I'm more worried about the 0w20 oil in the engine.

I wouldn't mind doing an oil change before getting to the desert if it means preventing unnecessary damage.

Any advice?

On an unrelated note: I was shocked to see the number of Tundras and Tacomas on my drive south (New York to North Carolina so far). Trucks are almost exclusively american in Canada.

 

I also live in Arizona and regularly tow right up against my tow rating limits. I use (I'm not trying to hawk this) AMSOil 0W20 and filter. I'm at 64K miles now. No issues whatsoever.
On a side note, our transmissions are rather robust. They still need regular maintenance and even more so when we tow heavy with them. I had my transmission fluid changed at 60K miles and feel like I should have changed it at about 40K. My Tundra has the transmission cooler whereas your 2021 does not although you could add it. IMHO, your transmission fluid changes should be completed after no more than 40K miles.

 

Spent 20 years in Las Vegas; towed fairly large trailer w/my '08 Tundra between LV and Zion on a regular basis. Stayed w/same 0w20 all year and in all conditions w/my truck, and that truck is still in service w/over 240k miles. The only thing I've had go out on me (related to engine temp, etc.) is my t-stat a couple of time a water pump.

Best advice is watch for a softening brake pedal if you're running OE pads/rotors (they can heat up on you if you're on a long steep downgrade and braking heavily). Always best to keep your speeds mild and let your engine do some of the braking for you. Also, it looks like you're running a '21 Sequoia, so if it's like my new '21 Pro it does not have a dedicated transmission cooler; so I'd keep an eye on trans temp especially under load. Finally, desert temps are at their worst from about 2pm-6pm, so try and do your travel early in the day or a night when passing through the desert during the hot months.

Enjoy your trip, and don't forget to post some photos for us along the way!!!!

 

Never could understand the neverending discussion on changing oil viscosity due to being in a hot climate or a cold climate. The engine doesn't know or care where it is. It is designed to run at a designed temperature irregardless of its location. The clutch on the fan and coolant thermostat keep it at that general temperature no matter what is happening ambient. If its 40 degrees outside the fan runs slower and the T-stat stays partially closed keeping the engine temp at approx. 212 degrees. If its 120 degrees outside the fan runs its ass off and the T-stat is fully open again keeping the temp at approx. 212 degrees. The engine or oil does not know where it is as long as 212 is kept in check. Yes, AZ is insanely hot in the summer but its still 100 degrees less then what your engine is running at. If its -40 degrees outside of your home in Alaska but your cabin temp is a wonderful 72 degrees you don't put on a jacket cause its cold outside.

 

I wouldn't do anything differently for extreme heat. Though I would recommend getting a OBD2 dongle and monitoring your true trans and engine temp.

 

Bud, it states right in my manual that if you tow or drive high speed frequently the engine may benefit from using an oil with higher numbers than 0w-20. Essentially saying a heavier weight oil is OK/good without actually stating it outright. Probably to satisfy an EPA requirement. Who knows.

I run Motul Eco-Lite 8100 5W-30 in mine year around. The engine is quieter at idle and it runs fine.



Here is the verbiage out of the 2020 Tundra manual.


Oil viscosity (0W-20 is explained here as an example):
• The 0W in 0W-20 indicates the characteristic of the oil which allows cold
startability. Oils with a lower value before the W allow for easier starting
of the engine in cold weather.
• The 20 in 0W-20 indicates the viscosity characteristic of the oil when the
oil is at high temperature. An oil with a higher viscosity (one with a higher value) may be better suited if the vehicle is operated at high speeds, or under extreme load conditions.

 

I understand what you're trying to say, but unfortunately it doesn't work that way in the real world. The engine bay is exposed to ambient temperatures. If it's 100F outside the engine is going to have a much harder time staying cool than if it's 20F outside. I've towed with trucks that would overheat on long steep grades if it was hot outside, but would stay in spec if it was cold outside.

Having said that, engine oil does matter and if I was towing a heavy trailer in the heat of the desert I'd want an engine oil with a strong additive pack like Pennzoil/Quaker State full synthetic and I would run a 5W30 viscosity. Engine oils do shear down in the heat while towing, and if you start with a 5W30 and work it hard for 5,000 miles it'll likely end up closer to a 5W20 by the time you drain it.

There are lots of guys who have put lots of miles on engines with the watery 0W20 oil. Those same guys would have even healthier engines if they ran a proper viscosity. Remember, automakers spec oils that benefit themselves (CAFE scores = money saved on penalities) and all they care about is getting you to the end of warranty. Their desires and the desires of the consumer aren't the same.

 

I’ve been changing my oil twice per year on average. I use 0w20 when I change in the fall, and that stays in until spring. Then I use 5w30, which is in use throughout the summer. Seems to work great thus far.

 

Avocado oil has a much higher smoke point, and would be a better choice.

 

Thanks everyone.

I'll look to see if there's a convenient way to get my oil changed to a synthetic 5w30 in Texas (any suggestions where?) and change it back to 0w20 when I get home. If it's not convenient: I won't worry too much about it.

When I get back I'll replace the transmission fluid too, might as well after 30000km of towing.

And thanks for reminding me about the bluetooth dongle to check the temperatures. I think I have one in the glove compartment.

I was seriously wondering whether I'd get vegetable oil and a toilet paper filter if I did an oil change in California Then I remembered about the desert heat - hence this thread.

 

Engine oil shouldn't be your main concern being that your in a 2021...you have other things to worry about...

 

If we are using that theory, then we should be using Grape Seed Oil!!!!!

 

I run rotella t6 15w40 in the summer it's amazing how much quieter the engine is. I run 5W30 in the winter. 0W-20 is simply to help pass CAFE standards. I would only run 0W-20 again if I lived in Sub-Zero temperatures.

 

0w40 ftw

 

Incase anyone is wondering these are all the approved oils per Toyota. Notice Mexico has many more choices although its the same exact engine. Proving that 0w20 is only due to the EPAs CAFE standards.

 

Well for the record, I said better, not best.

But like every oil thread, this is a slippery slope.

 

Maybe we will see a post about overheating


I can say OP, your truck has an oil cooler on it so it does help quite a bit and I haven't seen issues with 0w-20 because the oil cooler keeps it in check.

As for the trans though... I installed a trans cooler. I just towed about 8000lbs on Saturday(trailer+ 4 yards of mulch/dirt according to the scale I had to drive over). My trans didn't go beyond 190*f. I would see 215 UNLOADED before.

 

This needs to be posted as sticky at the top of each oil thread.

 

Seriously, the oil grade chart, the torque specs for oil changes, and the PN/reasons for using the aluminum housing should be a sticky thread here.