2007 Camry: Synthetic Oil Required?

[MASTERNC]

In anticipation of my car purchase in the spring, I have started to research the '07 Camry among other vehicles.

However, what concerns me is that Edmunds.com reported that synthetic oil is required for the 2007 4-cylinder Camry even though the same engine in past generations used regular oil. Knowing that synthetic is a lot more expensive (especially for a college graduate) I would be discouraged from buying a Camry if I couldn't use regular oil.

Is this true?

[akira751]

Originally Posted by MASTERNC

In anticipation of my car purchase in the spring, I have started to research the '07 Camry among other vehicles.

However, what concerns me is that Edmunds.com reported that synthetic oil is required for the 2007 4-cylinder Camry even though the same engine in past generations used regular oil. Knowing that synthetic is a lot more expensive (especially for a college graduate) I would be discouraged from buying a Camry if I couldn't use regular oil.

Is this true?

No

[marc780]

I'd ask Toyota, myself. If Toyota thought you must use synthetic they would tell you this in the owners manual, for sure. I know the site you are talking of and I'll trust what Toyota says over Edmunds.com any day.
My guess is you can use synthetic or dino or even both at the same time if you wish - but i wouldn't use any synthetic oil until the car is broken in, 10,000 miles at the earliest. It is too "slippery" and the rings and other parts in the engine may not run in right if you do, or so i've heard/read/benn told.

[DSW49]

There is no problem in switching to synthetic at first oil change. I don't know where Marc 780 got his information from but what he speaks of is nonsense (no offense).

[BigWillie]

I've heard of people start using synthetic at 1000 miles!

[El Tano]

What happen in this forum????????????????????? people don't read the questions anymore???? DSW49?????? BIGWILLIE???

Masternc the anwser for your question is NO. You can use any oil you want as long as the grade is the one recommended by Toyota. In the manual it says: ILSAC multigrade engine oil 5W-30, 5W-30 is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather.

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MinMet]

5W20 as marked on the oil filler cap. Talked to Toyota and dealers, all confirmed to 5w20. Not 5w30. Toyota made switch starting 06 spring. Though, 5w30 won't hurt either.

[Thrawn]

As per a recently released TSB (March 29th, 2006), Toyota has revised their recommended oil viscosity for the 2AZ-FE engines produced after 2005 (2006 - 2007 model year Scions and Toyotas). They now recommend 5w-20 and 0w-20 (for better cold weather starts). They state 5w-20/0w-20 offer greater fuel economy and protection. But don't take my word for it, ask for TSB EG018-06.

ILSAC GF–4 SAE 5W–20

This oil has been set as the Toyota genuine engine oil, starting in February 2006 for
the U.S. This oil is superior in terms of fuel economy, engine protection, and cold
starting performance.

ILSAC GF–4 SAE 0W–20

This oil has even better fuel efficiency and cold starting performance than 5W–20. Initial
application for 0W–20 is in the 2006 model year 2AZ–FE engine and will be used in new
engines to be developed.

ILSAC GF–4 SAE 5W–20
AZ series
GR series
JZ series
MZ series
NZ series
RZ series
UZ series
VZ series
1ZZ–FE
2TR–FE

ILSAC GF–4 SAE 0W–20 (Beginning with 2006 MY)
2AZ–FE Camry
2AZ–FE Solara
2AZ–FE Highlander
2AZ–FE RAV4 (ACA3#)

FYI, for those that don't know, the 2AZ-FE is the i4 in the Camry.

2<--Engine Block Generation AZ<--Engine Block Family - FE<--Head type

Just for clarification purposes, the oil used need only comply to the standards they set, ie ILSAC GF–4 SAE 0W–20 or 5W-20. That can be either Synthetic or standard dino oil.

[El Tano]

and there you have it MASTERNC....Thanks thrawn for the detailed information.

[onefiend]

I thought all new cars today come with synthetic straight from the factory? Anyone know if this is correct?

[El Tano]

Well if you READ above, Toyota doesn't put syntetic oil a least on the 2AZ–FE engine....

[onefiend]

^ well, they should, lol

[LunarMist]

As stated the answer is NO. This service guy at my dealership lied to me my first oil change and told me I had to get synthetic oil because thats what Toyota had put in my car. My last oil change (which was the most recent) I talked to another service man and he told me that was absolute bullshit. He said I could switch to regular oil anytime I wanted and thats what I did. I now have regular oil in my car.

[marc780]

There is no problem in switching to synthetic at first oil change. I don't know where Marc 780 got his information from but what he speaks of is nonsense (no offense).

Nonsense? Nonsense? GAH

i have heard this information many times, from online sites, popular science and popular mechanics and car magazines aplenty, and engine rebuilding books, when mobil one first came out almost 30 years ago - dont use synthetic til the engine breaks i9n. engines , oils and metallurgy are better than ever now, but an engine still needs to wear in IMO. Rings seat, bearings bed in, and so on, that is the theory anyway and if the rings dont seat the engine uses oil. So why chance it when there's no need to?
Go ahead and use synthetic from the get go if you want, i will let the engine wear in and then use it. Maybe.

[Sprags]

What company makes a NON-synthetic oil in 5W-20 or 0W-20 viscosities and where can I buy it?