0W-20 is synthetic only.

 

Nope. It is available as a synthetic blend or full synthetic.

To answer the OP, yes, it delivers protection for more miles. And it also is more stable for those low mile or storage period issues. If you are following the oil change indicator on the dash it will accurately tell you when to change the oil based on time and miles/type of miles driven.

 

You can change full synthetic oil once a year if you need to with those miles.

 

There are some 0W-20 synthetic blends out there, but make sure they meet all the other specifications besides viscoisty (ILSAC GF-5, etc).

But 0W-20 viscosity is "iffy" enough (in terms of providing engine protection) that I would only use a full synthetic. Buy a cheaper brand of full synthetic if cost is a big factor.

 

Maybe I should have been more specific. When I said it’s synthetic only, I meant it’s not available as conventional. To me, whether it’s full synthetic or synthetic blend, it’s synthetic, which is not conventional.

 

Synthetic blend is nothing more than about 2/3 conventional oil (Group II) and about 1/3 synthetic (usually Group III). When 0W-20 was first specified by Toyota and Honda, there were no synthetic blends available in 0W-20 viscosity, and I suspect that requiring that viscosity was one way that the automatkers could specify a synthetic oil without having to use the word "synthetic" (which brings up the issue of cost of maintenance versus the competition).

So synthetic blend is different than a full synthetic that uses 100% Group III base stock made from severely hydrocracked mineral oil.

I would be very wary of a synthetic blend that claims to be 0W-20, because I think it could be prone to viscosity breakdown, and that is not something one wants to see in a 20 weight oil.

 

To put in perspective for the OP, new Toyotas have 0W-20 from the factory. When you go in for your first 5k maintenance, the dealership will not change the oil. Just basic check up to see if everything is running okay. They change the oil at your 10k maintenance. So 0W-20 technically is safe up to 10k before you change it but I usually change it every 5k miles.

You can also use 5W-20, but you will need to change it more frequently at 3k-3500 miles intervals.

 

To put in perspective for the OP, new Toyotas have 0W-20 from the factory. When you go in for your first 5k maintenance, the dealership will not change the oil. Just basic check up to see if everything is running okay. They change the oil at your 10k maintenance. So 0W-20 technically is safe up to 10k before you change it but I usually change it every 5k miles.

You can also use 5W-20, but you will need to change it more frequently at 3k-3500 miles intervals.

Your statement on the change interval for 5W20 is correct if you choose conventional, but if you choose syn blend or full syn then extended intervals are fine the same as 0W20.

 

Use full synthetic only.

 

There is Pennzoil Gold Synthetic Blend 0w20, which is SN-Plus.

Pennzoil® Gold Synthetic Blend Motor Oil | Pennzoil®

An advanced synthetic blend with Active Cleansing Technology formulated for extra protection in severe driving conditions. Buy 0W20, 5W20, 5W30 or 10W30 viscosity.

www.pennzoil.com

There doesn't seem to be a VOA online, that will tell you how much detergents are in it with the Total Base Number (and the ratio between Calcium Sulfonate to Magnesium Sulfonate) and other additives in it, like Molybdendum, etc.

 

The Pros and Cons of Semi-Synthetic Oils and Synthetic Blends - AMSOIL Blog

Synthetic blends and semi-synthetic generally refer to the same thing: an oil comprised of a combination of conventional and synthetic base oils.

blog.amsoil.com

 

new camrys use 0w-16