Which Oil?

[bruce e]

Toyota recommends SAE 0W-20 oil "for good fuel economy & good starting in cold weather", if not available, to use SAE 5W-30, but "it should be replaced with SAE 0W-20 at the next oil change".

Now I strongly suspect that dealers use SAE 5W-30 instead of the recommended SAE 0W-20.

I wonder what your experiences are

1. at dealer services,

2. has anyone raised this with their dealers and if so what response did they get?

3. is it really a problem. other than resulting in a slightly higher fuel consumption (an issue in itself)

[Jan&tone]

Hi there

This has been discussed at length over the last few months.

By now, ALL toyota dealerships should know that they MUST put 0w-20 into gen3 Prius and Auris HSD's

when you go for your service, insist that only 0w-20 is used. Apparently you WILL notice a vast and immediate difference if the wrong oil is used

[Black Knight]

Except the OP doesn't have one of those cars according to their signature.

They've a 1.33L Auris TR.

Only issue is minor increase in fuel consumption/loss of power

[Daveyonthemove]

If they have to stock it for the hybrid cars then there should be no problem in having that spec in any car at service time IF requested, but lets be honest... how will you know?

[bruce e]

If they have to stock it for the hybrid cars then there should be no problem in having that spec in any car at service time IF requested, but lets be honest... how will you know?

Thanks for the replies. Perhaps the answer is to provide your own oil, cheaper too in the long run!

Like so many things, at the end of the day you have to rely on the integrity of the dealership.

[Daveyonthemove]

Even then you can't be sure that a techie isn't having your oil for his own car and putting the dealer oil in yours

I look at it this way. If the car breaks down due to bad oil and the last people to service the car was the dealer, then i will see them in small claims court!

[Jan&tone]

Except the OP doesn't have one of those cars according to their signature.

They've a 1.33L Auris TR.

Only issue is minor increase in fuel consumption/loss of power

I did wonder, now stand corrected

[Mooly]

When I bought my 1.33 Auris the dealer kept pushing the service plan, and one reason was that the oil for the 1.33 was so expensive. So I want to be sure that is what is used at services.

The big problem as mentioned is how do you know?

On a practical level the difference in economy between a 0/20 and 5/30 will be marginal, probably around 1% or even less in real world conditions. A thicker oil may even be slightly quieter and provede better protection at high speed high temperature running... it's always a compromise.

[bruce e]

A thicker oil may even be slightly quieter and provede better protection at high speed high temperature running... it's always a compromise.

Aahhh the "good old days" of boosting the low oil pressure in your BMC Mini by using Duckhams 20-50 and the usual 10 day wait for a run of the mill part that dealer did not have in stock

[Mooly]

Bit more on oils

http://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/518/motor-oils

[pajjy]

Bit more on oils

http://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/518/motor-oils

very interesting and great posting

[bruce e]

Bit more on oils

http://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/518/motor-oils

I second, that a great post. Thanks

[hardtop]

i asked the dealer after the service (1.4d)

they used Shell helix 5-30

[acetip]

i asked the dealer after the service (1.4d)

they used shell helix 5-30

when i brought my auris from turners toyota at bury st edmunds i asked at the service counter what oil they used and i was show an can of toyota oil 10w-40.but i put in it Mobil esp 5w -30.

[Daveyonthemove]

Mine is booked in for a service and MOT at the end of this month, so i will make a point of asking what oil they use in it.

I'm not really fussed what they put in as it will be up to the spec' required, but if i need to top it up its always best to put the same product in.

[acetip]

i asked the dealer after the service (1.4d)

they used shell helix 5-30

when i brought my auris from turners toyota at bury st edmunds i asked at the service counter what oil they used and i was show an can of toyota oil 10w-40.but i put in it Mobil esp 5w -30.

have booked the auris for its 30000 service at local dialers DINGLES.this is the last service before warranty runs out.they will also be doing its first mot.ive posted before that they use Castrol magnetic professional C2 5w-30 as some others do.this is a grade that you cant obtain anywhere else but dealers.

anyway it seems they have dropped the Castrol and are now using Mobil super 3000 5w-30. ive checked on the mobile site and it appears that there are 3 types of the 3000 5w-30 that Mobil do.

so when i take the car i will ask which one it is out of interest, and post answer.

i am supplying my own oil....mobil ESP 5w-30.which i have 3 5ltr cans already brought at ASDA at £32 each.a lot cheaper than most places.