Thick Oil in Camry Gen 5

[cmathieu]

Hi All,

Just had a friendly chat with my local Toyota service center to enquire what oil they last used in my Camry prior to me purchasing it (purchased it second-hand) since it was last serviced at this dealership.

They quite calmly told me that they used the standard oil. So I asked "What is your standard oil?" and they again calmly replied "Castrol GTX2" so again, I asked "What viscosity is that oil?" and then came the rather surprising answer "Oh, its 20W50"...I was really surprised that they guys were running such a thick oil in all the Camrys that get serviced there, irregardless if its a 4 cyclinder and or a V6!!

Well, the 20W50 that's currently in my Camry doesn't seem to have done it much harm other than probably causing it to slightly use more fuel and run albeit slowly but when I quizzed the dealer why they used such a thick oil...they said "Its cheap and offers good protection for the engine for most customers who don't really bother with checking their oil"...well, all I can say is that the guy was at least honest.

I am going to be switching my oil ASAP! However, and this is where I would like everyone's opinion, before I do so, I was thinking of doing the following:

Buy the cheapest fully synthetic I can find, dump the old oil out and fill it with this cheap synthetic oil, replacing the oil filter and drive the car for another 500km or so enthusiastically after which, I dump the oil again and fill it with Royal Purple or Mobil 1 5W30 and another new oil filter.

I admit, its a rather expensive exercise but I am doing it for the following reasons:

1. Since this car has been running mineral oil for the past 4 years, I feel that it might
built up some crap, so by running it on the cheap synthetic stuff, I am basically doing
a safe 'engine oil flush' since the fully synthetic should have been cleaning capabilities
than the mineral oil.

2. Although more expensive than purchasing a bottle of engine oil flush, it is less risky
because if there is indeed some crap inside, the last thing I would want is to block the
oil system when all of this crap comes loose at the one time (thanks TRD VVTi, I
remembered what you said and you made an excellent point).

What do you guys think???

[TRD VVTi]

I think that you're being overly cautious.

That's not a bad thing if you can afford it.

[toyomoho]

If worried switch to something like 10W-40.

[Mike Murrell]

I agree with TRD.

Just get the motor good and warm and drain it. Change to the proper viscosity. That should be stamped or coded somehow on the oil cap that screws into the valve cover or check your owners manaul.

I'm not going to try to 2nd guess what Toyota spec'd for Australia. In the U. S, they recommend 5W-30 for '06 model Camrys and 5W-20 for '07 models. If I'm wrong here, please correct me.

There are some who believe that 20W-50 is hard on engines equipped with hydraulic lifters, not to mention cold start-up concerns.

I have not studied the '07 Camry engine schematics to this extent that I would know whether they run solid or hydraulic lifters.

I seriously doubt that any harm has come at this stage.

[drunken_panda]

According to TSB EG018-06, 5W-20 comes in the
AZ series
GR series
JZ series
MZ series
NZ series
RZ series
UZ series
VZ series
1ZZ–FE
2TR–FE

and 0w-20 beginning with 2006 MY
2AZ–FE Camry
2AZ–FE Solara
2AZ–FE Highlander
2AZ–FE RAV4 (ACA3#)


Some people have reported an increase in milage using the 0w-20

[johnnyzee]

you guys got me thinking now. i have an 02 (gen 5) camry with a 2AZ-fe motor. What oil are they supposed to be using?

[marc780]

I understand it gets quite hot down under there in Oz, so i'd go with mobil 1 of the recommended viscosity. Except for the price, you cant lose by using mobil 1. Its proven for 30 years and i have never heard a bad word against it. It doesnt break down or turn to sludge like some oils do and you can use it for the recommended toyota change interval. (Except i think i'd at least change the filter at 3,000 km or so).

As for the 20w - 50 oil getting put in there by the service people, i think your concerns are right - if toyota doesnt recommend it for your temperature range, its the wrong oil.