[PennyRexChip]

I was not a fan of how loud the engine was when I was running factory CAFE spec.

After 1K, drained and filled to 0w16
At 5K switched to 0w20 and it stayed that way up until 25K. I have stayed with 5K OCIs.

My impressions after running 5w30 so far is that mpg hasn't changed on my XSE (AWD). The engine sounds more refined as well.
I'm more comfortable with running this weight long term as opposed to the thinner 0w16.

Also, these engines are capable of running the weights I specified. I have the PDF from toyota saved somewhere.

 

[cougarhound]

I wonder if you could detect any additional wear with an oil analysis?

 

[pamhar]

When you say more refined... is that when pressing the pedal to accelerate quick or just normal accelerate from stop or lights?

 

[cougarhound]

I decided to stick with the 0w16. I know there are a lot of little holes that the oil has to travel through in the cam phasers and stuff so I'm kind of scared to switch. .. I think they do say 5w30 is fine in other countries though. I suspect it's an EPA thing? One of those things that nobody really wants to answer because they are afraid of liabilities.

It's like asking people where they dump their antifreeze? Lol.

 

[20swrt]

I was not a fan of how loud the engine was when I was running factory CAFE spec.

After 1K, drained and filled to 0w16
At 5K switched to 0w20 and it stayed that way up until 25K. I have stayed with 5K OCIs.

My impressions after running 5w30 so far is that mpg hasn't changed on my XSE (AWD). The engine sounds more refined as well.
I'm more comfortable with running this weight long term as opposed to the thinner 0w16.

Also, these engines are capable of running the weights I specified. I have the PDF from toyota saved somewhere.

Do you mind sharing info like - where/what area do you live, Ambient temparatures, how many miles a day travelled, so we get an idea of the kind of conditions is your engine/van subjected to.

 

[cougarhound]

Do you mind sharing info like - where/what area do you live, Ambient temparatures, how many miles a day travelled, so we get an idea of the kind of conditions is your engine/van subjected to.

I guess one of us has to take one for the team. Lol. Like I thought it was risky to do 10,000 mile oil change intervals for my Prius C and 4runner. But I got 140,000 miles and so far so good. The old folks always say 3000 miles, but that is kinda excessive imo....That was prob a conventional oil thing. If it turns black then they change it.

 

[jareza]

This was discussed before and in Mexico Siennas use 5w30 no problems at all

 

[surfstar]

Mexico is warmer than US and Canada, and probably harder to get 0w20 or 0w16.
I don't think your engine will wear out using 5w30 or 0w16 in these vans. I also don't think anyone would be able to setup a controlled experiment to test any differences. So people really on their "warm and fuzzy" and butt dyno feelings to reinforce their decision. I usually go with the best price that meets required specs.

 

[20swrt]

I used to advice people in the US stick with the recommended 0w-16. after hearing about 5w-30 in Mexico maybe 0w20 ain’t such a bad idea for summers here in the US (60F and warmer temps).

 

[pamhar]

I used to advice people in the US stick with the recommended 0w-16. after hearing about 5w-30 in Mexico maybe 0w20 ain’t such a bad idea for summers here in the US (60F and warmer temps).

Dad's camry back in the day also had different oils for summer vs winter so perhaps that way to do.

 

[banson99]

why 0w16 oil

 

[20swrt]

why 0w16 oil

I myself posted the same video advocating for 0w-16 a few months ago. But if you look closely. Toyota A25A engine was introduced back in 2017 Camry. Guess what oil does it use ? 0w-20.

Disclaimer. It seems after 2018 or so - Toyota seems to switch to 0w-16 especially in Hybrids. I am unclear as to why. Still doing research.

 

[irlandes]

I live in Mexico. One strange cultural issue is most people believe you need to use 20W-50. I am not joking. My 2009 Mexican Sienna (made in the USA) user manual lists 20W-50 as a valid oil. Of course, it's not but you won't sell many Siennas if you don't cater to their beliefs. Most stores that sell oil mostly have 20W-50, with maybe a few quarts of lighter oil.

When I was still driving my lovely 2002 Sienna, I decided I wanted a couple quarts of oil in the car, just in case. I went to a local car place and asked about 10W-30. The smart aleck kid in the store snarled at me, "It will destroy your motor!" And, he was serious. My 2002 had well over 100,000 at the time. I have never been a violent person but his mouth needed to be slapped, heh, heh. I just walked to another car place and bought their last 2 cans of 10W-30.

 

[JungleDolphin]

I'm also just going to leave this video from Engineering Explained that gets into this specific subject. Bottom line though, just trust the engineers and go with what says on the manual!

 

[Sienna.Guy]

At 200 miles, removed stock oil filter, placed 2 magnets in and screwed it back on. At 2200 miles, replaced oil filter only. Found metal on the magnets.

Disclosure: Off topic reply, didn’t change the oil while I was at it, all the while at my own risk.

 

[PennyRexChip]

Do you mind sharing info like - where/what area do you live, Ambient temparatures, how many miles a day travelled, so we get an idea of the kind of conditions is your engine/van subjected to.

I live in the Las Vegas area. Temps don't get colder than 30 degrees but can get up to 115+ in the summer. It gets very windy and dust gets blown around a lot. This van gets driven 50 miles per day on average, mostly highway. The van now has 25K miles since new and with 5w30, I'm averaging about 34 mpg these days.

 

[PennyRexChip]

When you say more refined... is that when pressing the pedal to accelerate quick or just normal accelerate from stop or lights?

Engine doesnt sound like a lawnmower when accelerating on the freeway. The revs from a stop also feel and sound smoother.

 

[slothman]

I was not a fan of how loud the engine was when I was running factory CAFE spec.

After 1K, drained and filled to 0w16
At 5K switched to 0w20 and it stayed that way up until 25K. I have stayed with 5K OCIs.

My impressions after running 5w30 so far is that mpg hasn't changed on my XSE (AWD). The engine sounds more refined as well.
I'm more comfortable with running this weight long term as opposed to the thinner 0w16.

Also, these engines are capable of running the weights I specified. I have the PDF from toyota saved somewhere.

newer motors are quite different than older motors, even produced in the early/mid 2000s.

very different oil passages, hydraulic lifters, oil pumps, VVT, etc etc.

The viscosity in the manual is what you need to follow. If you are using synthetic it will withstand any temps worldwide. My only discrepancy, is not to wait 10k miles to change the oil. Toyot's are known for bad piston rings. I would change the only at least 2 times a year, or every 6k miles.

 

[PennyRexChip]

newer motors are quite different than older motors, even produced in the early/mid 2000s.

very different oil passages, hydraulic lifters, oil pumps, VVT, etc etc.

The viscosity in the manual is what you need to follow. If you are using synthetic it will withstand any temps worldwide. My only discrepancy, is not to wait 10k miles to change the oil. Toyot's are known for bad piston rings. I would change the only at least 2 times a year, or every 6k miles.

False, this engine is not new. Toyota only specs 0w16 for mpgs and to satisfy emissions regulations. The A25A-FX is spec'ed for 0w16 0w20, 5w30 and 10w30. The manual only states 0w16 for US vehicles only. After seeing how 0w16 gets after only 1K miles, I'm sticking with 5w30. If Toyota thought those oil viscosities weren't acceptable, they wouldn't list them as such. Either way, it's my van and I'm happy with the change. I'll continue to do 5K OCIs with 5w30.

 

[PennyRexChip]

For everyone's reference, straighf from Toyota.