Engine Oil

[FROSTYBALLS]

Devon Aygo has recently supplied the following information on oil requirements:

"The issues over which oils are used is caused by a European law called "Block exemption" the same law that states that manufacturers can't insist on main dealer servicing, also stops Toyota from insisting what oils are used by anyone wishing to service a car including their own dealer network. All Toyota are allowed to do is list a set of specifications that the oil used must meet they can also list a "preferred" oil. For example I have listed below the requirements Toyota have for the mkiii Prius, a car that has caused a lot of posts over the oils that have been used during servicing. This info is taken from Toyota's Service data sheet for European Prius mkiii only!

Preferred option:
0w20

Other listed options:
5w20
5w30
10w30
15w40
20w50

These grades above are listed by Toyota as they meet the following required specifications:

API grade SL or SM multigrade engine oil
API grade SL “Energy-Conserving”. SM “Energy-Conserving” or ILSAC* multigrade engine oil.


Toyota can only require the oils used meet the minimum specifications above. So long a the oil used meets the above the oil grade is not enforceable.


At present Toyota have "asked" but cannot enforce the dealer network to use the following,

Mk3 Prius, Prius plug-in, Prius +, Mk1 Auris HSD, Mk2 Auris HSD & Yaris HSD 0w20

Mk1 & Mk2 Prius 5w30

Optimal drive petrol models 0w20 or 5w30

Other petrol engines 5w30

Diesel engines incl Optimal drive 5w30

Diesel engines with DPF including optimal drive 0w30 or 5w30 meeting C2 low ash specifications"

[petroleum]

Is there really a need except for certain specific needs with these new diesels to have oils to such low viscosity.

I'm from the old school 10/30 15/40 so long as is a good known brand and even then a scouser stacking the selves at the local Tescos store interupted my train of thought when i was pondering about buying a 5 litre tub of Castrol, you know the one thats supposed to sick to the sides of the pistons! said "Hey mate" buy the Tesco one, its got the same oil in it!!

I dont recal Manx Nortons and their like suffering with syrup like Castrol R poured in to them!

[FROSTYBALLS]

Presumably the need is to maintain low emissions, which wasn't so much of an issue some years ago, and also provide easier starting/better fuel consumption.

In my last (petrol) Auris I noticed a difference in consumption between 0W-20 oil and 5W-30.

[petroleum]

I can't dispute your claim on better fuel consumption, cause i havent got a modern day car, but im sure the difference is marginal, whos makers, and they are all the same, want or almost insist?? their owners use these fancy lower viscosity oils. But surely the older line of very fine carina e engines also with cat convertors had / have just as close engine tolerances as their modern day newer models, but in the manual are happy to recommend one using the old type multigrade oils.

And if you say well yer wrong, cause the later engines say with timing chains fitted are different and made to closer tolerances. But havent some of these later engines been called in for burning oil!?

[FROSTYBALLS]

This topic came to be pinned in the majority of forums on TOC because the question of what oil to use was frequently being raised, and answers varied.

I think oil consumption has been an issue in the early VVTi engines and also some diesels produced between 2005-2009, but doesn't seem to be an issue with the current crop of engines.

I've had a Corolla with the VVTi engine, and two Auris with the Dual VVTi, and not had a problem.

My first Auris came filled with 0W-20 oil which I stayed with apart from the one service when it was filled with 5W-30. Each May we holiday on Skye, and the year the heavier oil was used, fuel consumption on the outward and return journeys was up to 6mpg heavier (two people, similar luggage, similar weather, similar road conditions, same route).

If you're happy with the oil you're using - fine, why change.