5w-20 safe?
Senior Member
Scikotics
SL Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,585
From: Medford, OR
Originally Posted by mrfuzzy4
i believe it's already been said, but toyota now suggests 5w20 for their cars. no biggie.
Senior Member
Fail, INC
Club One
SL Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,929
From: What's in your Box...
Originally Posted by CanadianScion
There is a TSB on using 5W20 rather then 5W30 in the xB engines which also applies to many different Toyota engines, I can't remember the number, basically no harm can be done.
My last oil change I switch to Royal Purple for the first time and what a waste of money. My gas tank light used to come on like clock work every time at 330-340 miles now since the switch to Royal Purple the light has been coming on at 295 miles for the last three tanks since I switch. That is the only thing I switched, I drive the same route every day. Next time I will save my money on the synthetic oil and go back to the dinosaur oil next time. I might even do it sooner to get the Royal Purple garbage out of the engine. I have not seen any beifits to using this particullay brand of synthetic.
My last oil change I switch to Royal Purple for the first time and what a waste of money. My gas tank light used to come on like clock work every time at 330-340 miles now since the switch to Royal Purple the light has been coming on at 295 miles for the last three tanks since I switch. That is the only thing I switched, I drive the same route every day. Next time I will save my money on the synthetic oil and go back to the dinosaur oil next time. I might even do it sooner to get the Royal Purple garbage out of the engine. I have not seen any beifits to using this particullay brand of synthetic.
Admin Emeritus
SL Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 14,570
From: University Place, WA
Remember, too, that using 5W20 or 0W20 applies only to specific engines and only when using a GF-4 oil. Ordinary, cheapo, Brand-X dino oil is unlikely to be a GF-4 oil.
Again, SEE THE TSB: http://scionlife.org/Scion_Docs/Scion_TSBs/eg01806.pdf
(Look here for other applicable TSBs, also, if you are interested: http://scionlife.org/Scion_Docs/Scio..._tsb_list.html )
They are available at: http://scionlife.org/Scion_Docs/Scion_TSBs/
Again, SEE THE TSB: http://scionlife.org/Scion_Docs/Scion_TSBs/eg01806.pdf
(Look here for other applicable TSBs, also, if you are interested: http://scionlife.org/Scion_Docs/Scio..._tsb_list.html )
They are available at: http://scionlife.org/Scion_Docs/Scion_TSBs/
5w20 mobil 1 is a GF-4 oil
http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lub...il_1_5W-20.asp
im not sure about royal purple, i could find any info saying one way or the other
http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lub...il_1_5W-20.asp
im not sure about royal purple, i could find any info saying one way or the other
Senior Member
Fail, INC
Club One
SL Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,929
From: What's in your Box...
Admin Emeritus
SL Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 14,570
From: University Place, WA
Depends on the engine's design. The Scion engines are designed with close tolerances suitable for 5W30 (5W20 on newer)* GF-4/SL, SM oil.
My Volvos were designed differently and required a 20W50
My big American V-8s used to want 10W40.
It all depends on how the engine is designed.
(My sewing machine, also made by Toyota, thinks 3-in-1 is too thick, and wants a super thin special oil that seems thinner than water.)
* The 0W30 and 0W20 recommendations are only for extreme cold where the drag of the 5W impedes cold starts.
My Volvos were designed differently and required a 20W50
My big American V-8s used to want 10W40.
It all depends on how the engine is designed.
(My sewing machine, also made by Toyota, thinks 3-in-1 is too thick, and wants a super thin special oil that seems thinner than water.)
* The 0W30 and 0W20 recommendations are only for extreme cold where the drag of the 5W impedes cold starts.
Admin Emeritus
SL Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 14,570
From: University Place, WA
Haven't thought to use my gun oil on the sewing machine, Froggie, I have a small tube of genuine Toyota Sewing Machine Oil, about the consistency of lighter fluid, but doesn't evaporate. 
Senior Member
Music City Scions
SL Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 11,808
From: West TN - Land of twisty roads
Originally Posted by Tomas
Haven't thought to use my gun oil on the sewing machine, Froggie, I have a small tube of genuine Toyota Sewing Machine Oil, about the consistency of lighter fluid, but doesn't evaporate.
Senior Member
Fail, INC
SL Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,023
From: Wisconsin
Originally Posted by burstaneurysm
I'll bring this back up... just changed my oil today. Pennzoil Platinum full synth 5w20. It's GF-4.
I just changed mine 2 weeks ago, Royal Purple