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Toyota Corolla 0W-20 oil - What's this about?

36 messages,  Last post on Mar 10, 2013 at 8:03 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Corolla, Toyota Prius, Auto Repair, Engine, Oil, Scheduled Maintenance, Sedan

Messages Page 2 of 5

#5 of 36 Re: Toyota 0W-20 - $9.50/quart? - What did you pay? by mlp1965

Dec 06, 2009 (9:32 am)

I'm new to this website and forum, so if I'm bringing up something that has already been discussed eleswhere, sorry.
 
Nevermind the $9.50 vs $11 vs $12+/qt, I can't get past the fact that they don't recommend regular old conventional 5W30 for this economy car. When I bought my 2010 LE in Aug. I never had any idea that, yes I was buying an inexpensive economy car that has a long and good track record, but one needs to spend $10-$20 "extra" at every oil change.
 
Does using 5W30 void the warranty? Really cause longevity or other problems?
 
This is my 4th vehicle. My 1st 3 vehicles got 160k ('89 Acura Integra), 190k (93 Nissan V6 pickup), 260k (2000 Volvo S80 T6), and none of them ever had engine problems using "regular" oil. Actually for the Volvo I mostly used a synthetic blend for the 1st 150-200k, but that's a 270hp turbo.
 
I thought I bought the Corolla for its dependabilty and economy.
 
Can you really bring your own oil (like Mobile 1) to the dealership and expect them to use it?

#6 of 36 Re: Toyota 0W-20 - $9.50/quart? - What did you pay? [mlp1965] by terceltom

Dec 06, 2009 (1:13 pm)

Replying to: mlp1965 (Dec 06, 2009 9:32 am)
When comparing cost you have to take in consideration the extended interval between oil changes that you gain with the synthetic oil versus the dino oil.

#7 of 36 Re: Toyota 0W-20 - $9.50/quart? - What did you pay? [terceltom] by mlp1965

Dec 06, 2009 (2:24 pm)

Replying to: terceltom (Dec 06, 2009 1:13 pm)
So the question is,
 
Will I get so many more miles between oil changes by using the syth oil that it pays for itself?
 
I'm guessing it doesn't even come close.

#8 of 36 Re: Toyota 0W-20 - $9.50/quart? - What did you pay? [mlp1965] by terceltom

Dec 06, 2009 (5:11 pm)

Replying to: mlp1965 (Dec 06, 2009 2:24 pm)
Well if you want to believe GM's new recommendations to their new car owners that those that use synthetic can go at least 10,000 miles between oil changes and most can go even longer (closer to 16,000 miles). What's that, a 4 to 1 ratio instead of changing dino oil every 3000 miles? What about that synthetic is less prone to thermal breakdown or has better cling and better pour levels. How about that syntetic is less prone to varishing and coking then dino oil. How about the more basic reason that synthetic is just plain better at engine lubrcation and gas saving. What's all the above worth to you or your engine? Ya think Toyota just made the move to synthetic just to p*ss you off or to waste your money? No, they did it for a reason, to keep up that excellant reliability record that you spoke of in an earlier posting. Go ahead, keep using the $1.50 a quart dino oil, I'll take the $8.50 a quart 0-20 synthetic anyday!

#9 of 36 Re: Toyota 0W-20 - $9.50/quart? - What did you pay? [mlp1965] by mcdawgg

Dec 06, 2009 (6:00 pm)

Replying to: mlp1965 (Dec 06, 2009 9:32 am)
Just go to WalMart and buy the Mobil 1 0W20 oil for $6.27 per quart. Yes, you can bring this to your dealer and they will only charge you for the labor and filter.

#10 of 36 Re: Toyota 0W-20 - $9.50/quart? - What did you pay? [terceltom] by mlp1965

Dec 07, 2009 (5:26 am)

Replying to: terceltom (Dec 06, 2009 5:11 pm)
I don't think they would be trying to p*ss me off or waste my money, just make more money for themselves using the reasoning that it is better for me - in the long run, which it may actually be.
 
Just trying to get to the bottom of this to figure out what is best for me.
 
Toyota recommends an oil change every 5k miles - with the 0w20. That's a 1.6:1 ratio if one considers 3k the "normal" interval.
 
...less thermal breakdown - effectively saying it can go further between changes.
 
...better cling - same as above?
 
...varnishing and coke - same as above? And longevity of engine.
 
...better pour levels? Could only guess what that means without looking it up.
 
...just plain betterr...? No sh*t, but good enough is good enough.
 
Again, I'm trying to figure out if there is any real meaningful tangible reason for me to use this oil. I would like it to be a little more that that warm fuzzy feeling that my engine loves me because I put more slippery oil in it.
 
Better gas mileage
longer engine life
more time between oil changes
 
these are real and if they come close to offsetting the cost, it is worth it to me, especially more time between changes; but I still am skeptical. At least while it is still under warranty I'll follow their recommendations - their special oil changed every 5k. Maybe I'll stretch it incrementally up to 10k starting around 50k.

#11 of 36 Re: Toyota 0W-20 - $9.50/quart? - What did you pay? [mlp1965] by terceltom

Dec 07, 2009 (8:45 am)

Replying to: mlp1965 (Dec 07, 2009 5:26 am)
Since you seem to have purchased a Corolla for the pure economics and reliability of it all, wouldn't what's better for your car also "better for you"?

#12 of 36 Re: Toyota 0W-20 - $9.50/quart? - What did you pay? [terceltom] by mlp1965

Dec 08, 2009 (6:07 pm)

Replying to: terceltom (Dec 07, 2009 8:45 am)
I can only seeing it better for me if it leads to savings in $$ or time that offsets the additional cost.
 
Just because it's "better" oil, doesn't me it's better for me in the long run...unless it ...
 
causes the car to last enough longer that the extra miles I get out of it are more economical than buying a new car a little sooner. So far between my wife and I we've driven 6 vehicles pretty much "into the ground" using regular oil. They all got fairly good longevity (150k-250k) and eventually failed for reasons other than the engine.
 
or
 
saves me time spent sitting around waiting for oil changes...which I assume it should, but with Toyota's recommended 5k does a little, but if it were 10k...that would be more acceptable.
 
And who purchases a Corolla for any other reason than economics and reliability? Or is that a blasphemous question for this forum?

#13 of 36 Re: Toyota 0W-20 - $9.50/quart? - What did you pay? [wirelesslink] by james49

Jan 31, 2010 (11:54 am)

Replying to: wirelesslink (Sep 21, 2009 10:53 pm)
I was told by a rep at Castrol.com that Toyota brand 0W-20 oil is Castrol Syntec.

#14 of 36 Re: Toyota 0W-20 - $9.50/quart? - What did you pay? [james49] by terceltom

Jan 31, 2010 (1:15 pm)

Replying to: james49 (Jan 31, 2010 11:54 am)
You know if you search the web you get various information about this. The majority opinion is that it's Mobil/Exxon but yet others say It's Pennzoil. I haven't heard the Castrol oponion yet, but why not ? Anyone out there have any information to substantiate their claim as to who actually does make/bottle Toyota Synthetic Motor Oil? I guess any rep. that wants to sell more oil is going to lay claim to Toyota Oil as this is what most Toyota customers will then most likely convert to to avoid the higher cost of Toyota Synthetic.

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