Switching to 5w30?

Better screenshot of TIS pdf with correct capacity and oil recommendations for anyone interested.

 

I suspect that the primary reason that the oil recommendation changed from 5w20 to 0w20 was environmental reasons.You can go from changing the oil every 5000 miles to every 10000 miles. Less oil changes, less waste. I do notice that 0w20 makes the 5.7 noisier than 5w20 did. People always assume with automobiles that decisions are made by engineers because they are so smart, but the truth is there are many other forces at play that sway decisions. Some blame CAFE standards but it’s not like the Tundras fuel mileage improved or was advertised to be improved when Toyota made the switch to 0W20. Many Tundra engines went hundreds of thousands of miles on the then recommended 5w20!

 

I use 5w30 in the summer and 0w20 the rest of the year

 

0w20 and 5w30 can both go 10,000 miles if you choose, the viscosity doesnt determine oil change intervals. CAFE standards have nothing to do with improving fuel economy that a consumer would notice, its about fleet fuel economy. Toyota sells millions of vehicles a year. If 0w20 gives them .002 better mpg per vehicle its not something they would advertise but would still help their CAFE requirements. Its very easy to see that when you just look at the oil recommendations for Tundras in Mexico.

 

I been using 5w-30, no issues. Valve train nice and quiet, change oil every 7,500 miles AND it’s super tech
Run amsoil filter though.

 

I still think there is more to it than just the CAFE standard being the driver , and believe that the EPA determined that by making the switch to mostly synthetics equaling less oil used played a role. Toyota met most of the CAFE standards by introducing multiple hybrid vehicles which met the goals.

Point being that when these oil decisions are made and recommended it’s never what is best for the longevity of your vehicle or really what is best for your motor, it’s what the above agencies believe is better for the environment! The owner needs to read between the lines depending on what you expect from your vehicle.

 

So when they spec 5w30 for the same engine in other countries, Mexico, what's the reason?

 

Has the engine changed from 2007 when they used to spec 5W-30?

 

Are people in normal climates still not using 5w-30? Get with the program lol

 

Mexico and other countries do not have the same fuel efficiency requirements. So they can spec 5W30 and still be complaint in that country. Furthermore, this reduces the overall market for 0W20 in Mexico, making it less likely to be available, further encouraging OEMs to spec the more readily available 5W30. Lastly some would argue that the heavier oil will protect better leading to longer life. Also keep in mind that Mexico is hotter than most of the US. Ie Northern Mexico is Southern Arizona climate wise.

According to TIS, none of the clearances for bearings or anything have changed since 2007. So any viscosity from 0W20 to 20W50 is appropriate based on temperature.

 

My point exactly. We an dispense with the tight tolerances argument.

 

Your engine is made for specific oil best to use what is recommended, there is a reason for the synthetic oil. best for cold weather starts and wear.

 

A few questions come to mind in regards to this debate…

So if 0w20 is not up to the task in the 5.7 Tundra…

A.) is there a large amount of bad used oil analysis such as Blackstone and similar?

B.) are there more oils related motor failures since the “BIG” switch compared to the Tundras that were issued 5w30?

There could be a multitude of reasons why the oil weight changed but where is the documentation saying it’s not strong enough to…. And Mexico is nothing like the U.S.A. in any way shape or form (conditions wise).

 

Maybe the big question is: are the noises we're noticing in our engines actually a problem or do they just not sound the way we'd like?

 

I have owned MANY Toyota trucks at this point in my life…

And frankly I would be down right nervous if my Tundra didn’t the diesel tick. Because everyone one I owned had it and many of their cars/CUVs have it. The Highlander “tick” is definitely one of the quietest but the Tundra’s is hands down quieter than any of the Tacomas or 4Runners I owned…

 

The short answer is no.

For example this truck has been feed nothing but 0W20 every 5k miles and is still going strong
https://www.tundras.com/threads/high-mile-2015-tundra.95199/

Another example, look at the wear numbers on this considering the load it was towing, again 0W20 every ~5k
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/t...20-16-tundra-6-175-miles-heavy-towing.312638/


Some engines are also just ticky. I have a 2017 C63S, spec is 5w40 and it is nearly as loud as the 3UR in my Tundra. Same with my NB Miata, I run T6 5w40 in that as well and its still got a noisy valvetrain. That's just how these engines are.

 

Actually the deserts are in the north and all the humidity is in the south. The climate here in So. AZ is just as harsh as anything in Mexico.

 

Interesting. I haven't noticed anything similar in my wife's 2013 Corolla or my dad's 2003 Matrix.

 

My 2016 Corolla and my 1998 Camry had it but no where near as pronounced. You would almost have to put you ear right near the front driver’s tire. The 3.4’s had a savage tick…I could hear it with the window open.

Truth be told, I am hypersensitive to vehicle noises for whatever reason

 

Thanks for clarifying. I was trying to say that Southern Arizona and Northern Mexico are similar temperature wise, words are hard lol. I was going off this map of average temperatures.


As far as an engine is concerned. Hot and humid is only slightly better than just hot. Thermal conductivity and capacitance will go up with humidity, and engine power goes down as humidity goes up. *EDIT* I had the wrong graph here.

 

You've got your data to back you up! I think the graphic is somewhat flawed because the average temps in the north are driven down by the wide range of temps you see in a desert - extreme heat in the day but nothing to hold the heat when the sun goes down so the temp drops 40-45 degrees. Here are the monthly temps from Villahermosa, Mx which is in the darkest red area near the Yucatan in the south - nothing compared to the 110 average of Yuma, AZ in the summer.


Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico
Weather averages

MonthHigh / Low(°F)
January 82° / 68°
February 85° / 69°
March 90° / 71°
April 94° / 75°
May 96° / 76°
June 94° / 76°
July 93° / 76°
August 92° / 76°
September 91° / 76°
October 88° / 75°
November 85° / 72°
December 83° / 70°

Yuma, AZ
Weather averages

MonthHigh / Low(°F)
January 71° / 44°
February 75° / 46°
March 83° / 51°
April 89° / 55°
May 97° / 61°
June 106° / 69°
July 110° / 77°
August 109° / 77°
September 104° / 70°
October 93° / 59°
November 80° / 49°
December 69° / 42°

 

The same engine is in other vehicles, as well as in Tundras in Mexico and is recommended a wide variety of oil from Toyota themselves. Synthetic oil comes in many varieties, not just 0w20. I run full synthetic of what ever viscosity I am using.

I don't think anyone is arguing that 0w20 is going to cause engine failure. It will work, it just is not necessary to use it unless you are in some crazy extremely cold climate.

 

Checked my super tech oil level today, all good. Looks brand new and it’s due in ~1000 miles. Next oil change will be with Fram ultra synthetic oil filter, same micron rating as amsoil I believe. Oh and 3 quarts of 0w-40 amsoil signature series, and 5 quarts of 5w-40 Castro edge. Why? Bc it was free. Flame suit on

 

…But that’s kinda my point…

If it’s (0w20) isn’t going to cause a failure why use 5w30? I honestly do not believe it’s that much more stout.

And I BELIEVE but could absolutely be wrong but doesn’t an engine receive the most wear at startup? Making a 0 weight perfect for any startup in any climate because it lubricants faster.

 

Yes 0w20 does give the best start up protection since its the thinnest of recommend oils at below freezing temperatures but also is going to be very thin in hot climates. For example if you live in Saudi Arabia the Land Cruisers over there can run 20w50. If you're in a hot weather climate a heavier oil is going to give you better wear protection. Oil viscosities have more to do with the climate you're running them in than anything else. In the end fresh quality oil changed frequently is going to keep your engine running but to me just the sound difference between 0w20 and 5w30 is clear that the engine prefers the 5w30 and likes 15w40 even better when its summer time.

 

In regards to the sounds I find the TGMO 0w20 to be hands down the quietest followed by Amsoil SS 0w20. I prefer Mobil 1 over many other brands but the AFE made my 2017 4Runner so noisy that I changed the oil early. People say I am crazy but there are different sounds among different oils. Hence why I seek out TGMO because it stays extremely quiet over the OCI.

 

I live in a hot climate, I prefer a slightly thicker oil, it provides better wear protection on start up, if I were in a cold climate, I'd switch back to 0w20. 5w30 has a higher shear viscosity as well, which means that if the oil gets hot, it's less likely to shear out of grade as a lighter weight oil.

5w30 bonus perks- engine is much more quiet than with 0w20.

 

Switched to 5w-30 after 1000 miles of driving my truck and never looked back. Using either Supertech or Kirkland brands and changing every 5000 miles.

 

sounds like a lot of oil experts in this conversation, enjoy

 

Here’s another good conversation point for the oil experts: I only use conventional (aka dinosaur) oil in my brand new 5.7, 15w40 in summer and 10w30 in winter. Too bad the engine can’t read what is written on the label. My OCI is 2500 miles.