5w-20

[samiam2013]

Yesterday I had my oil change done at Walmart after 4,200 mi. (I know I should do it myself, but I have an irrational fear of failing jacks...) and they used Quaker State 5w-20. I'm not sure of that though since that's only on the sticker in the window. I wanted to know if this is a problem and I need to check and see if that's the correct weight in the window, or if this weight is okay for light winter driving. I have ~180,000 on the car and I'm paranoid like crazy about the engine because I don't know if it was heavily driven before or not (and I do have a little smoke in the exhaust on cold days). Please, Please, Please either put my fears to rest or tell me what to do...

[PhatRoyale]

You'll be fine, just keep an eye on the oil level. The thinner grade might burn off faster if you are experiencing oil consumption on your car.

Either 5W30 or 10W30 are the factory recommended grades.

[TheNightWolf]

Originally Posted by samiam2013

Yesterday I had my oil change done at Walmart after 4,200 mi. (I know I should do it myself, but I have an irrational fear of failing jacks...) and they used Quaker State 5w-20. I'm not sure of that though since that's only on the sticker in the window. I wanted to know if this is a problem and I need to check and see if that's the correct weight in the window, or if this weight is okay for light winter driving. I have ~180,000 on the car and I'm paranoid like crazy about the engine because I don't know if it was heavily driven before or not (and I do have a little smoke in the exhaust on cold days). Please, Please, Please either put my fears to rest or tell me what to do...

You should see the smoke I get on cold days.
Its just condensation on the exhaust burning off, don't worry about it unless its blue and smells like burning oil.

5w-20 is fine for winter, we put it in almost all cars at work starting about now, makes it easier on the engines to start, but when they come back in 3 or so months we put in 10w-30 unless the manufacturer says different.

[speedy25]

I would be more paranoid about Wal mart than what the previous owner did!

-SP

[TheNightWolf]

Originally Posted by speedy25

I would be more paranoid about Wal mart than what the previous owner did!

-SP

I'm more worried about the previous owner because I'm doing all the maintenance on this car, and driving a car with 255k miles not knowing what has been done is a bit worrying if you drive a half hour to work almost every day.

[speedy25]

You have just a few more miles than I do. Yes, when someone doesnt document and maintenance you have to guess or do it yourself. Just get at the maintenance list and check them all off a little at a time. I'm sure SOMETHING will show up unexpected, but you just handle as you can.

I never expected my trans to die. But after a friend locked out 4th gear somehow I changed the trans and all was well.

I do a 30 or 50 minute commute for my job. The Toyota is still more trustworthy at 250k than some 100k cars!

-SP

[TheNightWolf]

Originally Posted by speedy25

You have just a few more miles than I do. Yes, when someone doesnt document and maintenance you have to guess or do it yourself. Just get at the maintenance list and check them all off a little at a time. I'm sure SOMETHING will show up unexpected, but you just handle as you can.

I never expected my trans to die. But after a friend locked out 4th gear somehow I changed the trans and all was well.

I do a 30 or 50 minute commute for my job. The Toyota is still more trustworthy at 250k than some 100k cars!

-SP

I'm doing a 30 - 50 minute commute too O.o

4 days a week, and on days I'm not working I drive just as much if not more than I do on work days.