Hi, I changed my oil 2 days ago by myself with 5w-20 Mobil1 synthetic and a Mobil1 filter. I used 4 quarts of oil as instructed and I made sure everything was tightened when I finished.

The problem is every now and then, the red oil light will come on. I checked the oil level and it's full, but I have to admit it's hard to see because the oil so clean and clear...but anyways, are there any reason why the light is going on and off? It's off more than it is on, but it worries me.

Thanks.

 

weren't u suppose to use 5w-30?

 

On and off while driving?
If that's the case, and it is full, take it to the dealer.
Don't risk it.

 

Yeah, but I swear on the forum somewhere, somebody said 5w-20 was recommended for 06+.

The dealer is a good idea, I'll definitely see what they can do, if they don't charge me.

 

5w20 is fine, and won't cause this.
'06+ were retro-spec'd for 5w20, and either is fine.

 

the red low pressure light??
that's not good... i would definitely have it checked out.

 

easy solution what does the oil cap say??? 5-30 thats what goes in...it could just be because those cars are so sensitive to everything the oil is just teasing the sensor...

 

....

toyota tsb reccomends 5w20 for '06+
it was a change made after it came out.

there's no major difference between 5w30 and 5w20.. and for sure it won't do anything with regards to any sensor.

 

Easy but uninformed "solution"
Read and learn.

 

yeah.. i'm still like.. car... sensitive.... teasing sensor?

words that i'm sure a well informed person in the mechanics industry knows with regards to this vehicle..

 

 

did you remember to reset the oil change reminder?

I know, you probably did, but hey, just incase.

 

What does your oil cap say? If it says 5W30 then use 5W30, if it says 5W20 then use 5W20. If for any reason your oil cap doesn't say then look in your owners manual. 05-06 tC's take 5W30, Late 06-up take 5W20. And yes the weight of the oil can effect that sensor.

 

there not that sensitive...ive ran 10W-30(kinda low on cash, and due for a change..it was in the garage, it worked) and had no problems.... a lot of turbo guys run up to 10w-40.

yes the cap says 5w-30, then toyota changed its mind to 5w-20


either will not kill your warranty, and will not harm the engine

 

Changing between 5w20 and 5w30 will NOT affect the oil light.

 

How do you do that? I thought the oil change reminder lights up the orange maintenence light.

But I took it to the dealer and they found no problems. Even since then, the oil light is fine...so I guess it's fixed.

Thanks for everybody's help.

 

^^ yes.. the only thing that you would reset is the maint. req'd light and that would be the only thing as a reminder.

the acutal low pressure light which is red is not something you should want to see.... pretty much means.. you got no oil.. you're about to break your engine type of deal.

 

I checked up with a nieghbor of mines, he works as a techanician for Toyota. He confirmed that the 06+ should use 5W-20. Since you are mentioning about oil. I just checked my oil lvl it's below the halfway mark for some reason. I really need to change all my fluids on my car since it's all a dirty dirty color... (actually oil is fine colorwise)... my tranny and power steering fluids. They are all black ><. I need to flush them out ASAP.

 

The reason they want to use 5W20 in newer cars and some of ours says 5W30 is due to new tolerances. They made the tolerances on the engines closer and that is why you have to run 5W20 now. The reason the heavier oil doesn't flow enough to cool the bearings to give you longevity out of your engine and it will overheat the bearings cause premature engine failure. I am not saying it will affect it immediately but the engine will not last as it was intended to, but if you ran the engine oil they recommend then your engine will last.

 

dude...if you wanna talk about engine longetivity, you should see my truck, and my friends truck...both have over 200000 on the same engine, running 10W-30, 5W-20, whatever was in the garage, or cheap at the uato store...

if the 2AZ-FE is that sensitive, then toyota needs to rethink this engine design