Oil change interval for 2024 Tacoma 4th gen hybrid and gas engines? Synthetic or conventional engine oil?

[TacoFreak]

I guess my point is, in my 45 years of owning vehicles, I’ve never had an oil-related issue, and I’ve run all brands and weights.

Yep - same here. Oil viscosity and brand preferences are kind of a cult that I see in almost every automotive engine discussion I have ever been in. I picked Mobile 1 when there were fewer options available, and I just stick with it because that is what I have always used.

And that cold floor in winter reminds me why I sometimes lubed my driveshaft before it was called for because doing that entailed lots of time laying on freezing concrete if I waited.

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[32spoke]

I assume that might be due to either emissions or fuel mileage. The lower viscosity oil flows better when the engine is cold and might be spec'd to comply with US regs. I ran 0w20 synthetic in my Tundra for years and never had a problem, although it had 3,500 mile change intervals. The 5w30 might be better for areas with cooler temperatures than most of the US.

I plan to do what @mattski2112 is doing. One early change, and then 5k intervals after that. I agree - cheap insurance and I think the long intervals are mainly to save manufacturers money since oil changes are often included anymore.

5W30 synthetic has a higher viscosity index than 0W20. 0w20 is lower viscosity oil, and lower viscosity liquids are more thermally conductive yet fail at lower temperatures vs thicker/higher viscosity oils, but flow better at lower temps. If Toyota spec’s 5W30 synthetic oil for European T24A-FTS engines, then I would guess that 0W20 oil is solely for government mileage requirements.

 

[TrustButVerify]

Yep - same here. Oil viscosity and brand preferences are kind of a cult that I see in almost every automotive engine discussion I have ever been in. I picked Mobile 1 when there were fewer options available, and I just stick with it because that is what I have always used.

And that cold floor in winter reminds me why I sometimes lubed my driveshaft before it was called for because doing that entailed lots of time laying on freezing concrete if I waited.

Mobile 1 is a great product. I don't think they make anything bad. Some of their stuff is a little better, like the EP, but you could use literally any appropriate oil they sell for an eternity and you will never have a problem with the lubrication system of the engine.

Reality is, it ain't gonna matter. Whatever oil you use provided its an API SP. Kirkland at $15 a 5qt bottle will keep these trucks lubricated until they hit 300k or are totalled out.

 

[TrustButVerify]

5W30 synthetic has a higher viscosity index than 0W20. 0w20 is lower viscosity oil, and lower viscosity liquids are more thermally conductive yet fail at lower temperatures vs thicker/higher viscosity oils, but flow better at lower temps. If Toyota spec’s 5W30 synthetic oil for European T24A-FTS engines, then I would guess that 0W20 oil is solely for government mileage requirements.

That is exactly it. When Toyota certify these vehicles for fuel economy, and they get the fuel economy ratings verified by the EPA using a specific grade of oil, they are required to *only* factory fill that oil and only able to tell customers to use that oil. They cannot recommend another oil. They can't say "oh well if it's warmer you can switch to a heavier grade and if it's colder a thinner grade." It has to be the single oil that was used during the mileage test.

Because they did their certifications with 0W 20 they cannot recommend any other grade of oil.

Now take this exact same truck and look at the owners manual from any other country other than United States and you will see in the oil section, 0W 20 all the way up to 15W 40 recommended depending on temps.

There is no special sauce, these engines aren't specially made for the United States to run on 0W 20 and somehow modified to work on 5W-30 in some other country. It is the exact same vehicle, produced the exact same way.

No it will not void your warranty.

 

[32spoke]

That is exactly it. When Toyota certify these vehicles for fuel economy, and they get the fuel economy ratings verified by the EPA using a specific grade of oil, they are required to *only* factory fill that oil and only able to tell customers to use that oil. They cannot recommend another oil. They can't say "oh well if it's warmer you can switch to a heavier grade and if it's colder a thinner grade." It has to be the single oil that was used during the mileage test.

Because they did their certifications with 0W 20 they cannot recommend any other grade of oil.

Now take this exact same truck and look at the owners manual from any other country other than United States and you will see in the oil section, 0W 20 all the way up to 15W 40 recommended depending on temps.

There is no special sauce, these engines aren't specially made for the United States to run on 0W 20 and somehow modified to work on 5W-30 in some other country. It is the exact same vehicle, produced the exact same way.

No it will not void your warranty.

I don’t think it would void the warranty, due to the oil options offered as recommended by Toyota, for the same exact engine. Since where I live doesn’t see temp below 32 degrees but a handful of times a year, I chose something slightly thicker, just my own preference. Probably not a bad idea to never disclose it, either. So my oil changes will be done by myself if a shop that I sell merchandise to, a repair shop.

 

[32spoke]

Mobile 1 is a great product. I don't think they make anything bad. Some of their stuff is a little better, like the EP, but you could use literally any appropriate oil they sell for an eternity and you will never have a problem with the lubrication system of the engine.

Reality is, it ain't gonna matter. Whatever oil you use provided its an API SP. Kirkland at $15 a 5qt bottle will keep these trucks lubricated until they hit 300k or are totalled out.

Mobil1 did eliminate their gas engine 5w40 oil off the shelf, like 10 years ago. No one knew why, just no longer could order it.

 

[TacoFreak]

@32spoke That's what I intended to say, but you said it more clearly.

 

[32spoke]

@32spoke That's what I intended to say, but you said it more clearly.

No worries, you and I agree with this and since the engine oil is recommended elsewhere, and know that I won’t be heading to the snow too much, I can error on the side of caution with something slightly thicker

 

[Miqie]

So, I have about a gallon of synthetic 5W-30 left over from my previous car. Could I add a quart or two to the 0W-20 oil during my next oil changes?

 

[32spoke]

So, I have about a gallon of synthetic 5W-30 left over from my previous car. Could I add a quart or two to the 0W-20 oil during my next oil changes?

I would just suggest switching to a synthetic 5w30, and use the oil with more of the same brand. Or give it to a friend

 

[TacoFreak]

I did check exactly what the owner's manual says about oil viscosity. It says that if 0W-20 is not available 5W-20 may be used, but must be replaced with 0W-20 at the next oil change.

So 5W-30 is not technically allowed, although I don't know how Toyota would know unless they did an oil analysis. I guess they might if there was an oil related engine failure and I will probably only use the 0W-20 since I have used it for years without any issues.

I still think this is solely related to government regs, and not engine oiling.

 

[wire4money]

This is on the Toyota site under the "My Toyota" owners page...

Just saying.
Plus with the first two years/25,000 paid for, I think the first 4 changes should be at 5k. After that, well I guess that is between you and your truck.

Toyota does recommend 5k service intervals, but oil change is every other service.

 

[TacoFreak]

Toyota does recommend 5k service intervals, but oil change is every other service.

And the only significant thing they do at the 5k intervals is rotate the tires. Well. plus the oh so important check of the floor mats. lol

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