2024 Tacoma 2.4L T24A-FTS Oil Type

[24tacoman]

So I was reading through the owner's manual for the European spec Highlander and it says it has the exact same engine as the 2024 Tacoma with the T24A-FTS 2.4L turbocharged 4 cylinder. All engine codes and dimensions seem to match up perfectly.

<-- Highlander Engine Type

<-- Tacoma Engine Type


I noticed that the European spec Highlander recommends multiple types of oil (0w20, 5w20,5w30, and 10w30) for different temperature ranges, while the Tacoma says to only use 0w20. This is very strange, as these two vehicles supposedly share the exact same engine.

<-- Highlander Oil Recommendation

<-- Tacoma Oil Recommentation

So, with this being said, my question is if I can run a higher weight oil on my 2024 Tacoma with the 2.4L turbocharged T24A-FTS? It seems strange to me that higher viscosity oil is allowed on European models with the same motor but not the Tacoma in North America. Are the motors different in small ways to accomodate the different oil types? Or is the 0w20 recommendation just an EPA requirement at the expense of engine longevity?


I will most likely be switching to a 0w30 or 5w30 oil weight at my next oil change. My only concern with the 5w30 weight is that I live in an extreme cold environment where it regularly gets down to -25 degrees Celsius. I am planning on keeping my truck for a very very long time, and I want to make it last for as long as possible. I am more than willing to sacrifice some extra gas in exchange for engine longevity. Does anyone have input on which oil grade would be best to use for the Tacoma?

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[WKTJR1]

With those temps you definitely need a 0w. I've run 0w20 in several vehicles for years and never had any issues even close to being oil related. There are a host of factors that dictate why certain oils are used in different regions for basically the same vehicle. All offer the same protection.
Run the 0w20 and enjoy your truck.

 

[emidyl]

So I was reading through the owner's manual for the European spec Highlander and it says it has the exact same engine as the 2024 Tacoma with the T24A-FTS 2.4L turbocharged 4 cylinder. All engine codes and dimensions seem to match up perfectly.

<-- Highlander Engine Type

<-- Tacoma Engine Type


I noticed that the European spec Highlander recommends multiple types of oil (0w20, 5w20,5w30, and 10w30) for different temperature ranges, while the Tacoma says to only use 0w20. This is very strange, as these two vehicles supposedly share the exact same engine.

<-- Highlander Oil Recommendation

<-- Tacoma Oil Recommentation

So, with this being said, my question is if I can run a higher weight oil on my 2024 Tacoma with the 2.4L turbocharged T24A-FTS? It seems strange to me that higher viscosity oil is allowed on European models with the same motor but not the Tacoma in North America. Are the motors different in small ways to accomodate the different oil types? Or is the 0w20 recommendation just an EPA requirement at the expense of engine longevity?


I will most likely be switching to a 0w30 or 5w30 oil weight at my next oil change. My only concern with the 5w30 weight is that I live in an extreme cold environment where it regularly gets down to -25 degrees Celsius. I am planning on keeping my truck for a very very long time, and I want to make it last for as long as possible. I am more than willing to sacrifice some extra gas in exchange for engine longevity. Does anyone have input on which oil grade would be best to use for the Tacoma?

side note, I owned a 2017 BMW 1200GSA for 7years. My master mechanic actually recommended we switch to a higher viscosity oil during our hot humid summers. 5-40 was rec, but in the summer we could swap to 15-50. Now if you're like me living in Can. I would stick with the 0W-20 especially during the winter. The "0" is whats most important for start up and the 20 weight gets flowing real quick which is what you want this time of year. In the summer months if you wanted, suppose you could bump up to a 5-30 once temps stay above 5C, you're only going up 1 step. Regarding 0W-20, its the same thats rec for my 2011 Sienna. 14 plus years 420k so I wouldn't worry about the longevity using 0W-20. Alternatively higher frequency change intervals will probably be much more beneficial TBH esp for turbos

 

[LincolnSixAlpha]

If I had to guess, EPA requirements. That said, 0w-20 will protect your engine just fine regardless the temps. I live in Phoenix, my previous truck (Silverado w/6.2) also required 0w-20, worked just fine in the hot summers here. With that said, I have no fears of using 0w-20 in our 118 degree temps, and sometimes higher. Both this little truck and my Silverado tolerated the summers very well with no issues.

Few additional comments though, European oil specs are different than US specs, so keep that in mind. Rings in these engines may be different - just a guess on my part, only because these manufacturers here started using low tension rings in these engines to decrease effort to spin the engine (and thus increase fuel economy). I don't know if low tension rings are in this engine, but I suspect they are.

LSPI or Low Speed Pre Ignition is a thing, and it's something you wanna guard against. That said, Toyota has done us all a big favor in that they provide both Direct Port Injection (which I personally despise for other reasons such as carbon build up, etc -- but that's another discussion point), and port injection. Both that port injection and good quality oil as it's been stated that it's the actual oil, as in oil droplets, or oil mist in the cylinder can actually cause this pre-ignition state.

If you're wanting to make your head spin, do some reading/research on LSPI. Also bone up on 0w-20 oils and how they can and do protect your engine just as well, or perhaps even better than heavier weight oils.

That said, oil is a very polarized discussion point, and these are just my thoughts, not facts but just thoughts as I perceive things. With that said, I think you could easily run whatever oil you wanted as long as it mets the requirements set forth for this engine.

 

[Miqie]

What's going on here is EPA vs. European standards. To get the best MPG and emissions, EPA wants you to use 0W-20. The monster air dam was put on to satisfy the EPA. European standards might not be as strict. I would think the best of both worlds would be the 5W-30 oil. I may try that for the warmer months without any trepidations that my engine is going to implode.

 

[Gfenza89]

Me personally, I would use the 0w-20 and choose a boutique oil like Amsoil signature series

 

[RokeHi]

I live in the Phoenix, AZ metro area and 0W20 has never been an issue with previous vehicles. Wife's RAV4 takes 0w16 and been using that with no issues. In the past I have used Toyota oil, Mobil 1 and Pennzoil Ultra Platinum. When I do my first oil change I plan on using Toyota oil 0W20.

 

[Burgi]

I don’t understand the hesitation when it comes to 0w-20 oil. My 2011 Tacoma with the 2.7 also used 0w-20. I used mobil 1 and changed the oil every 7-10k miles. I did an oil analysis at around 140k miles and everything was normal. I sold the truck with 180k miles and it was still running strong.

 

[32spoke]

I don’t understand the hesitation when it comes to 0w-20 oil. My 2011 Tacoma with the 2.7 also used 0w-20. I used mobil 1 and changed the oil every 7-10k miles. I did an oil analysis at around 140k miles and everything was normal. I sold the truck with 180k miles and it was still running strong.

Great question:
Lower viscosity oils are more thermally conductive, more efficient at transferring heat from a metal surface to the oil itself. Also the oil is more efficient at changing temperature when passing through the oil “cooler” device.
lower viscosity oils also have a great advantage in cold weather-they flow better at colder temperatures.

however:
Lower viscosity oils do have a trade off, they fail at a lower temperatures, compared to higher viscosity index oils. Meaning that in that a straight 60 weight race oil will have a higher the extreme high end of an oils temperature range, compared to a lower viscosity oil. I only compare a straight 60 weight oil, just to give an extreme example.

0W20 is a proven oil that provides a better cafe rating for an automotive manufacturer, which is why General Motors has spec’d it for new LS engines compared to it’s original recommendation for the same exact engines from 20 years ago, 5W30.

0W20 probably gives Toyota also a “universal oil” to sell for any climate in North America, too.

I am choosing to use a synthetic 5w30, but this is only my choice. Considering. The euro options in viscosity, and knowing that Toyota doesn’t manufacture this engine with any spec that is different from North America vs Europe, I can feel more confident of using the oil in a moderate climate to hot, should I drive to Arizona to visit my mother…

let ask you this, why would Toyota list options for oil viscosity in the European market, compared to North America? Especially since Europe spec oils are arguably better/more specific requirements for various automotive manufacturer requirements-

 

[Sagebrush]

My first oil change was done with Costco 0W-20, but I just ordered two boxes of 6-quart Havoline from Walmart ($28 x 2 with free shipping).

I like the fact that it comes in six-quart volumes since most motor oils are sold by the quart or in 5-quart jugs, and our truck takes 5.9 quarts.

When I'm done, I can pour my used oil back into the box.

 

[32spoke]

If I had to guess, EPA requirements. That said, 0w-20 will protect your engine just fine regardless the temps. I live in Phoenix, my previous truck (Silverado w/6.2) also required 0w-20, worked just fine in the hot summers here. With that said, I have no fears of using 0w-20 in our 118 degree temps, and sometimes higher. Both this little truck and my Silverado tolerated the summers very well with no issues.

Few additional comments though, European oil specs are different than US specs, so keep that in mind. Rings in these engines may be different - just a guess on my part, only because these manufacturers here started using low tension rings in these engines to decrease effort to spin the engine (and thus increase fuel economy). I don't know if low tension rings are in this engine, but I suspect they are.

LSPI or Low Speed Pre Ignition is a thing, and it's something you wanna guard against. That said, Toyota has done us all a big favor in that they provide both Direct Port Injection (which I personally despise for other reasons such as carbon build up, etc -- but that's another discussion point), and port injection. Both that port injection and good quality oil as it's been stated that it's the actual oil, as in oil droplets, or oil mist in the cylinder can actually cause this pre-ignition state.

If you're wanting to make your head spin, do some reading/research on LSPI. Also bone up on 0w-20 oils and how they can and do protect your engine just as well, or perhaps even better than heavier weight oils.

That said, oil is a very polarized discussion point, and these are just my thoughts, not facts but just thoughts as I perceive things. With that said, I think you could easily run whatever oil you wanted as long as it mets the requirements set forth for this engine.

Lower viscosity oils can be utilized to greater effect if heat management is implemented by an automobile manufacturer. Especially for hot climates and towing.. or the combination of both.
lower viscosity oils provide better cold weather performance.

european engine oil being different,
Compared to the North American market, yes… and no…
Liquimoly oil offers the majority of their oil offerings in North America and Europe. Same
Oils.. some are very specific, for instance mobil1 and liquimoly have some oil products that are European only, only because the engines those oils are designed to work with, aren’t being sold in North America- so there will be no VIO/vehicles in operation= no demand for it in North America.
Europe does have more manufacturer specific oils.. for instance General Motors dexos1 and dexos2, BMW Longlife 01, and BMW 01FE, or the various Volkswagen Audi group oils, 502 through 508.. or Mercedes 228 and 229 variants.
a bmw long life 01FE oil in 0W20, is something that could definitely be used in a T24A-FTS engine, but for a late model BMW using a non BMW spec’s oil in the same viscosity, would likely have consequences that would be self evident over long term use…

example GM dexos spec oil, has an acidity neutralizer to negate the acidity of oil when water emulsifies with the oil- this occurs during cold starts- condensation.. it is more of an issue with an oil that is run for a 7500 to 10,000 mile oil change interval, also equally important, is grocery getting vs highway miles.. General Motors noticed cam advancing solenoid failure on engines in the early 2000s and realized that they needed to create a special additive to oil to hep combat acidity.
but, by changing the oil sooner, like 5000 miles or less, compared to extended oil change intervals, it can have the same result-less acidity in the oil.

engine manufacturing specs for a European, Asian, or North American T24A-FTS engine is going to be identical…same low tension piston rings, which would benefit from more frequent oil changes, compared to the 10k oil change recommendation by my local Toyota dealership… cleaner oil is healthier oil. Oil filters are designed to filter out solid contaminants from a liquid, so the liquid contaminants-water, fuel, and hopefully never coolant or automatic trans fluid, would pass through an engine oil filter…

some of the low speed pre-ignition is from driving a vehicle at low rpms as the engine is cold, or also when a driver is placing the engine under high demand, like wide open throttle… engine management software can also address this as knock detection will pick up the frequency and retry timing.. the ecu also adjusting ignition timing based upon fuel quality… and then.. yes, special oils are offered

 

[LincolnSixAlpha]

Lower viscosity oils can be utilized to greater effect if heat management is implemented by an automobile manufacturer. Especially for hot climates and towing.. or the combination of both.
lower viscosity oils provide better cold weather performance.

All good points, thanks for the clarification on a few items such as the European vs US oil subject, and the fact that this engine is using low tension rings. Appreciate the update. Again, all good subjects for anyone wanting to understand and keep extend the life of their engines as far as possible. LSPI is no joke, that's for sure.

 

[32spoke]

All good points, thanks for the clarification on a few items such as the European vs US oil subject, and the fact that this engine is using low tension rings. Appreciate the update. Again, all good subjects for anyone wanting to understand and keep extend the life of their engines as far as possible. LSPI is no joke, that's for sure.

LSPI is something the engine software controls very quickly.. and the best practices to avoid allowing the software to eliminate it, after it detects it:
Far more frequent oil changes
Premium fuel/higher octane
Manual control of the automatic trans, when the engine is cold.. to not bog down the engine on a cold start
Warm the engine up for 5 minutes before driving.
LSPI happens from a contaminant in the combustion chamber- so carbon in the combustion chamber is going to not be a big problem by changing the oil far more often!!

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