0W-20 oil spec for 2010 Camry

[skoh]

It looks like the new 2010 Toyota Camry requires 0W-20 engine oil.
Here is an excerpt from the owner's manual:

Recommended viscosity: SAE 0W-20

SAE 0W-20 is the best choice for
good fuel economy and good
starting in cold weather.

If SAE 0W-20 is not available,
SAE 5W-20 oil may be used.
However, it must be replaced
with SAE 0W-20 at the next oil

change.


It looks like all the new Toyota/Scion/Lexus models are moving to 0W-20 for better fuel economy & cold start performance.
Anybody else notice this and is it available at the dealerships?

[zppeacock]

Its available at the dealership that I work at.

[jermyjerm]

i get mine at wal-mart.gotta go elsewhere for a mobil 1 filter,though.

[touringcamry]

So what else is new...? That's the recommendation for 2007 Camry.

[skoh]

Originally Posted by touringcamry

So what else is new...? That's the recommendation for 2007 Camry.

Previously, Toyota offered a choice of 0W-20 or 5W-20.
Now, they are recommending 0W-20 only.

My guess is that 0W-20 is now readily available in BULK to the dealerships - primarily through Nippon Oil - ENEOS. They are also the factory fill supplier of 0W-20 to Toyota.

[mcdawgg]

Originally Posted by skoh

Previously, Toyota offered a choice of 0W-20 or 5W-20.
Now, they are recommending 0W-20 only.

My guess is that 0W-20 is now readily available in BULK to the dealerships - primarily through Nippon Oil - ENEOS. They are also the factory fill supplier of 0W-20 to Toyota.

Yes, with the 07-09, the manual says either 0W20 or 5W20. Different engine with the 2010 (4 cylinder), so maybe that's why.

[siennavan]

I just purchased a 2010 camry LE last week. The assistant parts manager called the Toyota factory to ask if it ok to use 5W-20 oil instead of 0W-20. The factory said the new 2.5L I4 engine requires synthetic 0W-20 oil. Toyota also said 0W-20 oil only comes in synthetic. I plan to go with the 0W-20 synthetic oil. Even if they had a conventional oil with a 0W-20 spec, I would be afraid to use such a light conventional oil. I would think the synthetic oils will give the necessary protection when the oil viscosity is so thin.
By the way, the 2.5L engine has plenty of power for normal driving. I would only consider a 6 cyl if I planned to tow something.

[bcp477]

You CAN certainly use 5w20 in a car spec'd for 0w20......to suggest otherwise is nonsense. Heck, you could even use 20w50 in that same engine. The viscosity rating of the oil will NOT harm the engine - that is hooey. The ONLY exception to that is if you chose to use a thick oil in really cold weather....and a bearing ran dry before the oil warmed up enough and flowed to the bearing. Of course, it goes without saying, as well, that an oil grade significantly thicker than spec'd will hurt fuel economy. The issue is, what grade is spec'd by the factory, for best fuel economy, etc....... and what will the warranty cover ? If the warranty won't cover use of anything but 0w20, for instance, then so be it. Engines produced today are made with tighter tolerances than in years past....and that and fuel economy are the reasons for "thinner" oils. It certainly would be best, with a new engine, to stick with the factory recommendation. As it happens, there are NO non-synthetic oils available at lower viscocity than "5w...". That is simply because conventional oil has reached it's practical technical limit, at that point. It is not possible to produce even thinner CONVENTIONAL oil, while maintaining the other needed characteristics of the finished product. So, for 0w20....synthetic is it. But, if you couldn't find any 0w20, for instance.....and used 5w20 instead (or 5w30, etc. for that matter)....NO "engine damage" would result. If someone is spreading this kind of story about - even a dealer (especially a dealer).... it is irresponsible NONSENSE. Any dealer that says this might well be talking about the WARRANTY....but there certainly is NO technical basis for this kind of thing.

[Jcam]

I was really bummed when I found that I was being forced to use synthetic in my 2010 Camry. Here are some letters from Toyota and Valvoline that I hope will shed a little light on the subject.

From Toyota:

Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

We appreciate the opportunity to address your inquiry.

Toyota is currently recommending synthetic oil SAE 0W-20 for use in your 2010 Camry with 2.5L 4-cylinder engine. We apologize if you have had difficulty locating a facility that supplies this particular oil. If SAE 0W-20 is not available, SAE 5W-20 oil may be used. However, it must be replaced with SAE 0W-20 at the next oil change.

(My dealer had 6 quarts of synthetic in stock in the parts department. They do not use synthetic in the service department.)

From Valvoline:

My 2010 Camry 2.5 L requires 0W20 oil. Does Valvoline make this in a conventional oil? Your site recommended that I use 5W-20. Will this void my warranty.
Thank you for your question. The viscosity 0W20 can only be produced in synthetic. Toyota recommends this viscosity to achieve the best fuel economy from the engine. You may use a 5w20, which Valvoline does offer in conventional. You might see a slight decrease in fuel economy by using 5w20 vs. 0w20 synthetic.

[judge34411]

Originally Posted by siennavan

I just purchased a 2010 camry LE last week. The assistant parts manager called the Toyota factory to ask if it ok to use 5W-20 oil instead of 0W-20. The factory said the new 2.5L I4 engine requires synthetic 0W-20 oil. Toyota also said 0W-20 oil only comes in synthetic. I plan to go with the 0W-20 synthetic oil. Even if they had a conventional oil with a 0W-20 spec, I would be afraid to use such a light conventional oil. I would think the synthetic oils will give the necessary protection when the oil viscosity is so thin.
By the way, the 2.5L engine has plenty of power for normal driving. I would only consider a 6 cyl if I planned to tow something.

I think we both need to talk our dealers, and ask questions. My 2010 SE I4 just had it's first oil change and I asked them to put synthetic instead of natural oil. They where going to put in 0W-20 but instead I asked they put in synthetic, they put in 5W-30 the 0W-20 was not synthetic. When I bought the car I asked them to toss a liter of oil in the trunk (just in case I needed it) and it was 0W-20 non synthetic. My first oil change was going to be 38 bucks with the 0W-20 and I ended up paying over double that with the synthetic. An I had them toss a liter of that oil in the trunk. An yes my oil cap is marked in white 0-20 you cannot miss it. An as for power the SE has 20 HP more than the LE and I find the power band very small but yes enough power. I sure love the drive. One of the best cars I have ever driven.

[judge34411]

Originally Posted by bcp477

You CAN certainly use 5w20 in a car spec'd for 0w20......to suggest otherwise is nonsense. Heck, you could even use 20w50 in that same engine. The viscosity rating of the oil will NOT harm the engine - that is hooey. The ONLY exception to that is if you chose to use a thick oil in really cold weather....and a bearing ran dry before the oil warmed up enough and flowed to the bearing. Of course, it goes without saying, as well, that an oil grade significantly thicker than spec'd will hurt fuel economy. The issue is, what grade is spec'd by the factory, for best fuel economy, etc....... and what will the warranty cover ? If the warranty won't cover use of anything but 0w20, for instance, then so be it. Engines produced today are made with tighter tolerances than in years past....and that and fuel economy are the reasons for "thinner" oils. It certainly would be best, with a new engine, to stick with the factory recommendation. As it happens, there are NO non-synthetic oils available at lower viscocity than "5w...". That is simply because conventional oil has reached it's practical technical limit, at that point. It is not possible to produce even thinner CONVENTIONAL oil, while maintaining the other needed characteristics of the finished product. So, for 0w20....synthetic is it. But, if you couldn't find any 0w20, for instance.....and used 5w20 instead (or 5w30, etc. for that matter)....NO "engine damage" would result. If someone is spreading this kind of story about - even a dealer (especially a dealer).... it is irresponsible NONSENSE. Any dealer that says this might well be talking about the WARRANTY....but there certainly is NO technical basis for this kind of thing.

I had a 0W-20 non synthetic in my hands. I had it im my trunk. Or maybe it is a blend so they do not say synthetic.

[gator1939]

Pennzoil Platinum comes in 0W20.

Here is one place to order over the internet:

http://oilstore.stores.yahoo.net/peplforhy0wc.html

gator1939

[Losio]

What do you think/know about this 0w-20 one ?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...ategory=107070

[dramaticlatino]

The Advanced Auto here in Central Florida carries Mobile 1 0W20 and Mobile 1 Filters I got my hands on them today as I'm going to be changing out my oil. They had plenty in stock, the whole rack was full.

[Jcam]

Thanks for your help in locating the oil. Now does anyone know where to buy the filter wrench for the 2010 Camry? What is the part number? I guess it is a somewhat specialized tool.