I recently inherited a 97 4Runner (V6 Limited) from my brother with about 320k KMs on it (about 200k miles). He was due for an oil change and he had last done it with a local Toyota dealer so I called them up to see what they had used. I gave the service rep my VIN and he said 0W20. I thought he must have misread so I asked again and he repeated the same. I didn't want to say anything at that moment so I thanked him and hung up.

I checked the oil level on the dipstick and it is just above the MIN mark. I also noticed oil on the valve cover bolts but nothing too bad.

I'm new to vehicle maintenance (this is essentially my first vehicle) so pardon me if the answers to my questions are obvious:

- What (if any) damage could using such a light oil in such an old motor have done even if it was for only 6000kms? My bro only did his oil change with them this one time so I don't think anything this light was used prior to this (it was done with his mechanic friend).

- If the dealer tells me the service record was just filled in incorrectly and they actually used something heavier, can I weigh the used oil to confirm whether that is true or not? If so, what is the weight difference between used 0W20, 5W30 (what is called for), and 10W30?

- What should be my course of action if they admit that they used the wrong oil?

It's possible that this is an overreaction and it's not a big deal but I'd like to get to the bottom of this.

Thanks for the help.

 

It's not a big deal or even a small issue on the weight. It probably could use about more oil to get it off the min mark tho.

 

Why is weight such a big deal? I've used 10w40 in my truck for the past 125k and haven't yet noticed any ill effects. I do live in a very warm climate, though.

 

Scuba, I was trying to say what you did: "it's no big deal on the oil weight". Well, assuming its a reasonable weight and not 90wt oil in the engine.

 

You guys know in the 3.4 the thinner the oil the faster it gets up to the cams.

I think if the dealer was undecided they would go with a thinner oil.

then in my case I always used 20/50 in my 22R series engines from new to 200,000 miles.

Just curious Where does the OP live??

 

The thinner the oil, the faster it gets up to the cams. Sure, that could be so, but these cams aren't known to have lubrication issues. Like an R series engine does. So I can't see how it would be a good idea here, in that respect. Or at all in any VZ series engines. 0W-20 is just too thin altogether(for any but the newest engines made 2012 or later). And if used for long enough in an engine not designed for it, will likely cause excessive wear. You should pretty much always use what it says to on the oil filler cap, or what's recommended in the owner's manual. And if your thinking about doing differently, thicker is probably going to be a better/safer bet than thinner.

And to answer the "can I weigh it and tell" question, no. That has nothing to do with it. It's not heaviness(as in lbs. or grams), it's thickness(as in viscosity at a given temperature).

You need to go to http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/ if you want the best oil info. I wouldn't be trusting too much of the "knowledge" you'll find here about it.

BTW, don't ever go to the stealership. Not even for something as simple as an oil change. They're bound to screw anything they do up. And still charge you an arm and a leg for it.

 

Then most times the lowest paid person does the oil change and washes the vehicles.

So just what is worse your 1000 miles from home and might not get home for another few weeks your all ready 1500 miles over due for a service.

Take it to the dealer or to the quicky mart oil change??