You can find some information here. See the Gasoline Only section. Thinner oil (0W-20) does not require tighter tolerances. It requires lower stresses particularly in the valve train. Most modern engines with 4 valves per cylinder, are suitable for lighter oil. The smaller valves are lighter and stresses are reduced.

It appears they have changed the final gear ratio, and the reduced drag measures I believe are shared with all models. They appear to use a transmission heater to improve efficiency. The hybrid version of the engine uses improved intake and exhaust manifolds, roller cams to reduce friction/stress, and a variable speed oil pump. Not sure if that is shared with the gas only versions.

 

Hi Ron,

Thank you very much for the quick response. The link is very interesting and answers quite a few questions. I like your reponse on the oil thickness which makes the valves move easier with less oil resistance and I guess the same for the crank shaft.

Deni

 

Nothing changed except hp/weight ratio & tire rating

Does anyone understand what has change in the 2012 2.5 litre to produce more power and get better fuel economy over the 2011 2.5 litre. I know the new engine uses also thinner oil which would probably mean tighter toleraces on the engine.

Has the intack or exhaust manifold change?
This new engine still has variable valve and cam on both the intake and exhaust right?
Is the power steering electronic reducing load on the engine?
What has caused such a better fuel economy.
Has the 6 speed automatic change between 2011 & 2012.

Thank you for your input.

Deni

Hey ........ don't fret. The 2.5L engine has ALWAYS required 0W20 synthetic oil and 10K/1 year oil changes. No difference there. The car is a bit lighter. The transmission shift pattern was improved. And ............. of all the most dumb ass savings of all ........ in order to cut weight ....... they dropped the capacity of the fuel tank from 18.5 to 17 gallons.

Oh and one more thing: Instead of a full tank of gas ......... you get six gallons ........\

Yep; Love Toyota enginering but their out of touch GM/Ford/Chrysler USA union style beauracracy will pull them down until there is a Korean takeonver.

Bottom line for now: Gas here in Gulf Breeze FL has dropped from $3.99 to $3.21. Celebrate while you can !!!!!!!!!

They also upped the recommended tire pressure. They also acted in a consistent pattern of being the morons at Toyota headquarters .... stuck S rated Tires (previously V rated tires) on the base and LE Camrys ....... which improved gas mileage by about .0000000000001%. Then they use the "fleet average" to designate EPA gas mileage.

 

My car came with a full tank. It was even on the sticker (Southeast)

Sent from my DROID RAZR using AutoGuide.Com Free App

 

Mine too.

 

How much gas you get when you buy it, or whether they put nitrogen in the tires is dealer specific.


As to tank size, my 96 Sentra gets about 38-40 on the highway and has a 12 gallon tank.
Our 2011 Rav4 which has the 2,5L has about a 16 gallon tank, and uses 5w20 oil as well as 0w20. At 28-30 mpg on the Rav4 and the 4000 mile road trip we took recently, I did not find the 16 gallon tank a limitation.

If you get better mileage, you don't need to carry as much fuel. 17 seems perfectly adequate.

I know its false psychology, but it makes me feel better at the pump when I fill up... yeah, I know it still costs the same $ /gallon but it looks like it costs less

 

he car is a bit lighter. The transmission shift pattern was improved. And ............. of all the most dumb ass savings of all ........ in order to cut weight ..

+1.
gen 7 is 150 lbs lighter vs gen 6.
less weight+higher gear ratio + better aerodynamic= better MPG.
even with smaller tank I'm getting same total miles per tank.