Toyota recommended 0w-20

[titan_rw]

I just brought my 09 xrs in for it's first oil change. I called the dealer ahead of time and they said that they did use the recommended 0w-20 oil.

After getting the paperwork to sign off on the oil change, I saw that it said 5w20 was used. I asked the person at the time why they didn't use Toyotas recommended oil of 0w20. He said they 'don't have that kind of oil'. This kind of took me off guard, so I put it another way: I said: "So the Toyota dealer doesn't use the oil Toyota recommends?" He said "no".

I've tried a couple of times calling back trying to talk to the service manager, but haven't managed to get through. I realize Toyota does list 5w20 as an acceptable substitute oil, but.. The manual says use 0w20 for best fuel economy and best cold weather starting. Being that winter is just setting in here in Alberta, we tend to get pretty cold at times. I'd want to put as little stress on a new motor as possible by using the correct oil.

I don't have a problem doing the oil changes myself, as I've done that on all my previous cars over the years. I just wonder if changing oil myself is going to create problems with toyota's warranty? I got oil changes free included in the purchase of the car, so it would be kind of a waste not to take advantage of it. But if they won't use the right oil, I guess I don't have a choice.

I suppose what I can do, that should satisfy the warranty requirements would be to take advantage of the free oil changes from the dealer, then right after the dealers oil change, come back home, and do my own oil change, using 0w20 oil. I then end up with lots of 5w20 oil with only 10-20 km on it. My father and I also have a Honda Accord and a Toyota Pickup as well that could use the 5w20 oil.

Anybody else have 'oil' problems with the dealer?

[jdhog]

My first free oil change the dealer used 5w30. I asked the service advisor beforehand and he kind of blew me off and said it doesnt need 0 or 5w20, it won't matter. I let them go ahead and do it the first time, just because it was free. after 2k miles I went ahead and changed it again back to 5w20 synthetic, and from now on I will be doing my own oil changes.

Anyway, I would say 5w20 is fine. In the owners manual it says you don't have to take it to the dealer to do the maintenance. As long as you keep receipts and keep track of it there shouldn't be a problem doing it yourself.

0w20 is so hard to find and expensive, I think in the owners manual it just say that if you want the best Fuel Economy to use the 0w20 but really there is not a whole lot of difference, at operating temp the oil is the same, and 5w20 is much easier to get hold of.

Anyway, hope that helps. Post a pic of your ride if you get a chance!

[jdhog]

If you're that worried about cold starts, probably a block heater is your best bet?

[HATEnFATE]

You're vehicle uses 5W-20 motor oil when using conventional. 0W-20 is optional for your car and Toyota only makes that in a synthetic.

When it talks about better fuel economy and easier starts they're right but only marginally. You'll notice maybe 1-2% difference on fuel economy and not because of weight but because of the sythetic blend.


Also, figure the cost of the oil change...1 quart of 0W-20 synthetic cost $9.25. 1 quart of 5W-20 conv oil costs $3.50.

I wouldn't use the 0W just because it's really unneccesary.

[Jeff Lange]

Toyota Canada sells non-synthetic (whether or not it is 100% conventional or some sort of blend is not 100% sure, but it is not advertised as synthetic).

We sell it for $4.78 per bottle, versus $4.24 per bottle for 5W20.

Jeff

[jdhog]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lange

Toyota Canada sells non-synthetic (whether or not it is 100% conventional or some sort of blend is not 100% sure, but it is not advertised as synthetic).

We sell it for $4.78 per bottle, versus $4.24 per bottle for 5W20.

Jeff

I was on a thread over at bitog.com and they were pretty adamant that the Toyota available 0w20 is produced by Eunos (sp?) and distributed by exxon. I have to take these things with a grain of salt because there are so many differing theories it gives me a headache.....I can post a link to the thread if desired.

[titan_rw]

Thanks for the responses. Being in Alberta, it's mandatory all new cars come with block heaters. I do use it, but it's not always possible. Sometimes when it's not possible to plug it in, you forget to go out and run the car for 20 mintues every 4 hours or so. At -30c or lower, I'm going to take all the help I can from the oil being thinner at non-operating temperature. Even with the car plugged in, a start at that low a temperature is not super easy.

If I do change the oil myself, I can certainly keep receipts, but I imagine an argument from the dealer going something like "just because you bought the oil doesn't mean the oil was changed, etc." Whereas a receipt from an actual oil change place is a pretty good record that they actually changed the oil (and hopefully filter). Plus if I bought 0w20, I'd be buying more than 1 oil change all at once, so there'd be a receipt for enough oil for say 2-3 changes. Then it's just my word that I kept the schedule for oil changes.

I'll try and get ahold of the service manger tommorow.

[jdhog]

Next time why not take in your own 0w20 and have the dealer change it, that way you can rest easy knowing the service history is kept up to date and get the oil you want put in it. Then they should just charge you for the labor.

[titan_rw]

Originally Posted by jdhog

Next time why not take in your own 0w20 and have the dealer change it, that way you can rest easy knowing the service history is kept up to date and get the oil you want put in it. Then they should just charge you for the labor.

Because I have free oil changes for the life of the vehicle. Oil / Filter and labour included. If they were charging me for oil changes, I would definately be changing my own oil. More often than 8,000km too. I think 5,000km is better, especially for city driving


I got ahold of someone who looked into the whole thing for me. They are ordering in 0w-20 oil now. And will change (for free of course) the 5w stuff for the 0w stuff when it comes in. A bit surprising that I'm the first one to notice them not using 0-20, considering at least the 09's have been out for something like 6 months now? I'm not sure if earlier vehicles were recommending 0w as well, but at least the 09's are.

[titan_rw]

Originally Posted by jdhog

Post a pic of your ride if you get a chance!

I did. It's just stock, but here is a link:

Official 2009+ Matrix picture thread

[titan_rw]

So they did put 0w-20 oil in as per above, but. The service manager came out and said if I wanted 0-20 used for future oil changes I'd have to pay a 'premium' for it. I asked if it was syntetic, or a syn-blend, he said it wasn't, that it is just regular 0-20, but is a bit more expensive. He said Toyota is rewriting the manual to some extent on recommended oil.

Still think it's kind of dumb that there's (will be) an extra charge to to get the dealer to use the oil Toyota recommends.

I asked about doing oil changes myself while it's still under warranty. Apparantly as long as I keep receipts, and use Toyota's filters, there's no problem. At around 15,000km I might switch to a synthetic 0-20 and do my own oil. I have in the past for previous vehicles, so it's not a problem. I can probably do it faster myself than them too. So far it's been about 1.5 hours for them to do it.

[Sundance_XR]

Originally Posted by jdhog

I was on a thread over at bitog.com and they were pretty adamant that the Toyota available 0w20 is produced by Eunos (sp?) and distributed by exxon. I have to take these things with a grain of salt because there are so many differing theories it gives me a headache.....I can post a link to the thread if desired.

If the Toyota oil in 0W20 is Eunos I will definatlly be buying it!

[jdhog]

Here's the bob is the oil guy post I mentioned:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...73#Post1239873

[Sundance_XR]

Thanks for the link. Thats interesting. I might try that next oil change.

-Josh