Boss1989

My 08 xb gen 2 has 35k miles on it and has only used the cheap penzoil oil in it. I would honestly like to switch to a heavier weight synthetic (using 0w 20) but am worried it may cause issues. I want the heavier weighted oil to help slow down the oil usage in the car. Also when I check the oil in my xb it seems full or a little over when the car isn't running and is cold but when I check it while its running its about 2/3 of a quart low (1500 miles on this oil change). Thanks for your input.

elwaylite

iTrader: (1)

• Swapping now is fine
• 0w-20 in something like Mobil 1 is what you should run, or 5w-20
• The only proper way to verify oil level is with the car off and cool. Checking it while running means nothing at all.

I have run 0w-20 or 5w-20 syn (Mobil or Penn Platinum) in ours since it had 10k on the odometer.

Greg S

iTrader: (1)

He's right^^^

The oil consumption issue has more to do with a flawed design in the piston rings than what weight oil you use. Also running a heavier weight oil could quite possibly cause it to happen even faster as you'll be putting more stress on parts that were designed to work with the 0 or 5W-20 oil.

Boss1989

I am familiar with the issue with the Piston and rings. I just checked the oil again while the car was cold and its about 1/3 quart over. I have a feeling its because when the car is running or warm it reads low so when they do the oil change they fill it up more than it needs? Anyone else have this experience.

elwaylite

iTrader: (1)

It has been hit or miss IMO. If a place goes 4.5 qts or so, it ends up being high, if they go more around 4 qts, it is better. If I follow the exact recommendation when I change it, can't remember exactly, it always looks a little high when cool.

Boss1989

I just checked it after I drove it home and let it sit a few minutes. Reading 1/2 quart over but when its running it reads 1/2 quart under. Sound weird to anyone else or is that normal since the oil is getting moved around when the engine is running.

elwaylite

iTrader: (1)

Yes, which is why you dont check oil when the engine is running.

MaK_05TC

I run Rotella T6 5w40 in my Scion TC with 210k miles.

09BlackberryCrush

Bought my 09 with just under 54K miles and switched to Mobil1 synthetic 10W-30 and haven't had any problems (knocking on wood). I have over 88K miles on it now. No oil consumption issues (unless it was repaired before i purchased it).

p.s. please don't check your engine oil while the car is running.....it's not an automatic transmission. lol.

Keffer69

Its because they changed the 2.4 AZ-FE motor design internally slightly in late 2007. They increased the compression and added oil squirters. Thus the fact the switched from 5/30 to 5/20-0/20. I have always ran 5/20 in mine. And in a motor with rings that have issues and oil consumption being an issue i sure wouldnt use synthetic. You are just wasting money when you add oil. Plus synthetic all though it lasts longer between changes its made of smaller particles that make it past rings and seals a lot easier than dino oil. I would just stick with a good name brand dyno oil. One isnt any better than the other. CASTROL, PENZIOL, VALVOLINE, MOBIL, QUAKER STATE. The motor was designed to run on a 20 weight oil so thats what you should be using. The oil debate runs deep but in the end facts are facts and a normal motor like the 2.4 AZ-FE doesnt need synthetic just like it doesnt need premium fuel just a waste of cash.