2011 V6 oil - synthetic?

[jgayman]

Is the oil used in the 2011 V6 engine synthetic? When I picked up the car I specifically asked if the engine used synthetic oil and the dealer told me some new Toyotas do but the Highlander did not.

The information in the manual simply says 0W-20.

I just received my ToyotaCare welcome kit and the ID card included shows my VIN, effective date and lists the oil type as synthetic.

What gives?

[summerwind]

Manufactures seem to be going to 0W-20 oils to gain a few more decimal points in MPG
Would be surprised if you took your HL in for an oil change and got a 0W-20 put in.
You might call your dealer's service department for fun and ask what brand and weight of oil they use for oil changes. They get it in 50 gallon drums so I would be surprised if they stock 0W-20 but wonders never cease to amaze me any more.

Dealers in my area use Castrol SynBlend in the QuikLub bay and you get the "we know what weight of oil is best for this area" answer.

Many of us choose to use Synthetic
Many just stick with Dino oil and change per their maintenance schedule.

Synthetic's have an edge if you tow a lot or live in an area that has temperature extremes.

Some advantages of Synthetic cited include:

• Measurably better low and high temperature viscosity performance
• Better chemical & shear stability
• Decreased evaporate loss
• Resistance to oxidation, thermal breakdown and oil sludge problems

What oil to use tends to become a religious discussion with everyone trying to convince everyone else that their oil choice is the only one and your engine will self destruct if you don't change to their way of thinking.

As long as the oil you use mets the standard specified in you owners manual the average driver will be just fine.

[deadrx7conv]

What gives? Dealers are id1ots.

If you require 0w20(which is usually a full synthetic), use it. If that weight isn't available, make sure to at least use a full synthetic.

If you bring it to the dealer, verify and WATCH that they use the correct oil weight.

Too many new Toyotas are being filled with the wrong oil for their maintenance by cheap ignorant dealers' quicklube monkeys. Smart owners bring their vehicle back for the correct type or weight and watch/verify.

The 0w20 is a great oil but too many people are severe service and too clueless to know it. Be careful with the 10k interval that some newer Toyotas recommend.
Be sensible with your oil change interval, and check/top-off oil level regularly until you verify consumption which should be nil after break in.

[nov0798]

Ive been using synthetic in my 08 since the first change. I think it calls for 5-30, but I use 10-40, 5-30, 10-30, or whatever else I have on hand. Bottom line, for an everyday driver, in normal temps, it really doesnt matter much. I typically follow a 10k interval, sometimes a little less, and sometimes a little more. Do what the manual recommends and youll be fine. As another posted, dont believe what everyone else says, use your common sense, and all will be good.

I can bet that the dealer does not use different oils for all its models. They most likely use a 10-30 or 10-40 for all their lube jobs.