I was digging through the forums here at YT looking of information about what all oil weights people are running and came across this.



Its a copy of a page from a Toyota manual for a 3VZ-FE. It specs in the summer time 15W-40,20W-40, and 20W-50.

I've also seen in several forums where Toyota is specing 15W-40 for the Prados with the 5VZ-FE.

So whats the deal with Toyota USA only specing 5w-30 and 10W-30 ?? Is there a logical reason or is Toyota USA just doing this to make the EPA happy ?


FOG

 

Fog,

How old is that manual? My 99 FSM for the 3/5VZ says to use either 5/10W 30 and that is it.

The thin oil specs are due to CAFE regulations IMHO. I know Honda is specing 0W10 in some cars. In the 4 years of 4 runner ownership, IMO, this engine likes a thicker 5W30. I have even run the ultra thick German Castrol 0W-30 in the summer, with a small loss in MPG as the only drawback. Someone is running Rotella T6 now, maybe Mt. Goat?

 

0 and 5w are good year round. You want a thin oil at start up when most of your wear occurs.
How us 5w-30 ultra thick? thick is a 15 or a 20weight oil.
5W-30 is almost the exact thickness as a 10w-30 at operating temperatures, u benefit fron the 5w- oil at start up