Make sure it is a full synthetic. Mobil 1 0W-20 EP might be a good choice if you stay with current viscosity.

 

Been using Castrol Edge. It is full synth. The reason I am considering upping the viscosity is just due to the potential of increased engine heat when towing.

 

It's OK with me to use 5W-30 Synthetic, but other will throw a fit because Toyota says that 0W-20 is recommended.

As far as heat goes, Mobil 1 0W-20 EP can handle it no problem. Castrol Edge also has an EP (Extended Performance) version of 0W-20.

 

Yeah, apparently the recommended oil depends on what country you are living in. From an older post

Dealership put wrong oil in the car. What to do?

Hi. I took my RAV4 2015 to dealership for oil change 3 months ago. Today, I noticed on the receipt they used 10W-30 Semi-synthetic oil (see photo below) and remembered the manual and cap say to use 0W-20. I currently live in a country that's usually hot year round (Laos). What to do? Thanks.

www.toyotanation.com

This page from a person in Japan shows multiple options => I have not looked at my manual yet.

Don't know what they mean by "extreme load conditions" but I am assuming towing would up the load conditions.
Just wanted others opinion/experience b4 jumping to it.

 

Yeah, apparently the recommended oil depends on what country you are living in. From an older post

Dealership put wrong oil in the car. What to do?

Hi. I took my RAV4 2015 to dealership for oil change 3 months ago. Today, I noticed on the receipt they used 10W-30 Semi-synthetic oil (see photo below) and remembered the manual and cap say to use 0W-20. I currently live in a country that's usually hot year round (Laos). What to do? Thanks.

www.toyotanation.com

This page from a person in Japan shows multiple options => I have not looked at my manual yet.

The USA manual for the 2014 RAV4 says the following:

"SAE 0W-20 is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather. If SAE 0W-20 is not available, SAE 5W-20 oil may be used. However, it must be replaced with SAE 0W-20 at the next oil change "

The oil police on this forum will be around shortly to make sure you follow the USA Owner's Manual. They will say that It doesn't matter what Toyota Owner's Manual says in other countries for the same vehicle/engine.

 

reading ALL the detail in the manual
• The 20 in 0W-20 indicates the viscosity characteristic of the oil
when the oil is at high temperature. An oil with a higher viscosity
(one with a higher value) may be better suited if the vehicle is
operated at high speeds, or under extreme load conditions.

You can't stop reading after it says what you believe.

Not to mention the fact that Toyota is contradicting themselves with those statements.

 

You can't stop reading after it says what you believe.

As I posted above, I personally have no problem using 5W-30 full synthetic, towing or no towing. I was just warning the OP about what the oil police on this forum are going to say about it.

As I have stated many, many times, the oil viscosity recommendation for USA Toyota's is based on what oil they use during EPA gas mileage testing, and Toyota is obsessed with increasing fuel mileage on its vehicles. Given the upcoming government regulations on fuel mileage, I can understand Toyota's position, but I would use 5W-30 full synthetic.

 

Mobil1 also has a truck/SUV oil in 0/20 viscosity. Whether its better than 0/20 ep I guess would be subjective. They claim it is but youd have to get out in the weeds chemically to see if it really is.

Sent from my VS996 using Tapatalk

 

Mobil1 also has a truck/SUV oil in 0/20 viscosity. Whether its better than 0/20 ep I guess would be subjective. They claim it is but youd have to get out in the weeds chemically to see if it really is.

I just checked the their website and Mobil 1 Truck/SUV oil has pretty much all the same approvals as Mobil 1 Extended Performance and specs are very similar, but not identical. The Truck/SUV oil has very slightly higher viscosity (not all 0W-20 oil have the exact same viscosity, since API allows a range of viscosities for each grade).

I suspect that the this oil is better suited for Trucks and large SUV's built on a truck frame (body on frame) from American manufacturers, not for CUV's like HL that are built on a unibody car-type chassis.

Plus, Mobil 1 Extended Performance (EP) is widely available at Walmart for only about $2.50 more than regular Mobil 1 (for a 5-quart jug). I would use the 5W-30 viscosity, and if you are towing, Toyota cannot complain about that.

 

It's as important to keep the ATF and Coolant in check as well as the Rear Diff and Transfer Case fluids fresh if you have an AWD; any one weak link can be costly.

 

I think using 5W30 or 0W30 full synthetic is a very good idea when towing. Towing more than the specified limit for the RAV is risky in many ways. You had better be positive that the trailer has brakes. Your liability skyrockets when towing that much over the printed limit. You may need helper airbags to deal with the tongue weight. If the camper is 2100# empty you'll easily add hundreds of additional lbs. with gear, battery, water, etc. You have the wrong vehicle for this usage.

 

My vote is for a 5w30 synthetic. Castrol makes great oils and no need to jump ship for BS marketing from their competitor.

 

0w30 or 5w30 synthetic all the way.
Remember that 0w20 is there to slightly increase fuel economy not engine life.
The new Toyota hybrids use 0w18 and are testing to 0w16.

 

0W18?? Prove it, even google has never heard of it. 0W16 is already being used in some Toyota engines and has been since the 2018 model year.

 

You are correct, my mistake. It was 0w16 and 0w12 that is was referring to. Thanks for catching that.

 

From what I understand.

1. In the "old" days. Big V8's, cast iron engines. If you got 100K miles, you were happy. OK to change to higher viscosity oil. (due to engine wear and tear).

2. Today's modern precision engine. Require low viscosity oil to insure " oil gets to the moving parts very quickly".
Most engine wear occurs at start up. Which is why, "0" is recommended.

Good luck.

 

To the OP who wrote;
”I am about to buy a 2100# popup trailer. I know, the std Rav4 is only rated at 1500#, but I do have a large add-on trans oil cooler.”

I have an 06 Ave with a towing capacity of 1000lbs .. that’s it. Big sedan w about 275hp and it’s only rated for 1000lbs. I’m sure the car will have absolutely no trouble with my 12-1300lb tent trailer BUT ..... if I get into an accident and the other guy’s lawyer is sharp he’ll find out about the wimpy towing rating and the accident will be my fault. My other car is a 4cyl. 95 Camry. With drum brakes and maybe half the power and it has a 2000lb towing capacity. So far I’ve resisted putting the hitch on the Avalon. Good luck with yours.

 

thanks, the mystery, of course, is how they come up with these ratings. To find out, one must purchase a multi $1000. spec, do a lot of research and independently figure it out. Since the new Adventure ('19 & '20) model of the Rav4 is rated at 3500# with only the addition of a transmission cooler, an oil cooler and marginally larger brakes (about 1/2" extra diameter) I am not understanding the 2000# increase to 3500# over the standard model at 1500#, which is the same as my '14. The transmission cooler I have is VERY much larger. The oil cooler they have adds 0.1 Qt extra oil. Structurally, it is the same vehicle as an standard Rav4, with same power ICE. My bet with yours is that it is a specification update between '95 and '06, where '95 specs were looser.

 

I read about tranny coolers, that its a double edge sword : if you are not towing most of the time, the transimission fluid might be cooler than its supposed to, now wearing the engine tranny when you are not towing (which most likely is the main use of the car)

 

what I know, the oil cooler I put into my Honda Odyssey ran 135,000 miles and the oil looked like I just changed it and I had no tranny issues even though they did have issues with that year. The oil cooler I put into my Rav4 is running the temp about 15°-20°F cooler at about 195 from 215. I think 195 is closer to ideal. I have not towed yet so I don't know what it will go to. But I am totally convinced that the std cooler the mfg uses is totally inadequate even if you are not towing. Take a look at your oil. If it has darkened, it is running too hot.