What Brand Motor Oil Do You Use In Your 6th Gen?

[NotApplicable]

No car maker is going to hard code their ECU for 0w-20 only, it's just bad engineering and people like TCCN are simply wrong about it what is actually the case.

The module for the oil pump is going to look at variables and vary the oil pressure/flow rate accordingly, https://toyota-club.net/files/faq/21-09-20_faq_t24-engine_en.htm

It is not as simple as: If oil =/= 0w-20 then throw rod through engine block.

Consider the following:

Toyota manufactures a 2.4T Tacoma in Mexico, and we pick 2 examples of the same truck.

One is sent to Laredo, TX and one is sent to Ciudad Juarez.

The one sitting at the dealership in Laredo, Texas USA has an owners manual that says to use 0w-20 for best starting in cold weather and fuel economy.

The one sitting in Mexico has an owners manual that says use anything from 0w-20 to 10w-30 semi-synthetic.

They're separated by 10 miles and a national border.

Guess which law is influencing 0w-20?

**CAFE**



I'm running 0w-30 at 8500ft elevation doing heavy off roading, and nothing has happened so far other than the engine is smoother.

I just filled up with Valvoline Restore & Protect 5W-30.

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[4cyl_runner]

I am going to change my oil at 1000 miles this weekend. I live in Az and we now get 3 digits heat. Does anyone use a different viscosity? The manual we can use 5W-20, anybody else did some research and use other viscosity?

 

[NotApplicable]

I am going to change my oil at 1000 miles this weekend. I live in Az and we now get 3 digits heat. Does anyone use a different viscosity? The manual we can use 5W-20, anybody else did some research and use other viscosity?

You haven’t read the thread you just responded to, have you

 

[4cyl_runner]

5W-20 it is !

 

[SouthCoast]

5W-20 it is !

you'd be better off with 5w30 in AZ

 

[4cyl_runner]

you'd be better off with 5w30 in AZ

I searched chat gpt and it said the 5W-30 is more for the older engine. Juat like the guy in the video in a previous reply said.
If you can point me at a research that proves the 5W-30 is better on the 6G 4Runner, please do.

 

[NotApplicable]

I searched chat gpt and it said the 5W-30 is more for the older engine. Juat like the guy in the video in a previous reply said.
If you can point me at a research that proves the 5W-30 is better on the 6G 4Runner, please do.

mobil 1 in 5w20 is a fine choice. Don’t go 10k mi intervals, though

 

[SouthCoast]

I searched chat gpt and it said the 5W-30 is more for the older engine. Juat like the guy in the video in a previous reply said.
If you can point me at a research that proves the 5W-30 is better on the 6G 4Runner, please do.

I switched to 5w30 ESP here in Houston. Absolutely zero justification to stay with a 0 or a 20 for hot weather climates. The turbo is going to shear the oil down to roughly a 16 by the time you run an oci. Mine was already in the low 7’s/6’s on 0w20. International manuals indicate you can use 0w30, 5w20, 5w30, 10w30. The US “requirement” is only to satisfy the CAFE standards sp the OEM doesn’t get fined. Mine is running much smoother on the ESP. I run a uoa after each change so I have data for the swap. If you’re considering a change, are you doing it because the internet said to or because you have data to back up a decision?

5w20 is a perfectly reasonable switch and completely fine, but depending on your environment and use, a different viscosity may prove more useful.

BTW, 5w30 is not simply “an oil for older vehicles”. That was a really dumb response by chat… engines are spec’d to operate with margin for different viscosities, not just the one printed on the oil cap or in the book

 

[4cyl_runner]

I switched to 5w30 ESP here in Houston. Absolutely zero justification to stay with a 0 or a 20 for hot weather climates. The turbo is going to shear the oil down to roughly a 16 by the time you run an oci. Mine was already in the low 7’s/6’s on 0w20. International manuals indicate you can use 0w30, 5w20, 5w30, 10w30. The US “requirement” is only to satisfy the CAFE standards sp the OEM doesn’t get fined. Mine is running much smoother on the ESP. I run a uoa after each change so I have data for the swap. If you’re considering a change, are you doing it because the internet said to or because you have data to back up a decision?

5w20 is a perfectly reasonable switch and completely fine, but depending on your environment and use, a different viscosity may prove more useful.

BTW, 5w30 is not simply “an oil for older vehicles”. That was a really dumb response by chat… engines are spec’d to operate with margin for different viscosities, not just the one printed on the oil cap or in the book

My only purpose for switching to different viscosity is for engine longevity. I don't care about gas mileage.
I want this bad boy to be my last vehicle.

I don't have any data. I only read what's on the interwebs.

Chat gpt mentioned the new engines have tighter tolerances than previous gen. engines so the thicker oils are not good.
But if Toyota recommends/allows 5W-30 oil (on the new engines), I will use it on my next oil change at 2k miles, please share data if possible.
Thanks.
Pic for attention:

 

[SouthCoast]

My only purpose for switching to different viscosity is for engine longevity. I don't care about gas mileage.
I want this bad boy to be my last vehicle.

I don't have any data. I only read what's on the interwebs.

Chat gpt mentioned the new engines have tighter tolerances than previous gen. engines so the thicker oils are not good.
But if Toyota recommends/allows 5W-30 oil (on the new engines), I will use it on my next oil change at 2k miles, please share data if possible.
Thanks.
Pic for attention:

Machining tolerances do seem to tighten to a degree, but the engineers are not going to design a system without taking into consideration operating environments globally and individual use. There’s a reason international manuals indicate optional viscosities. Chat is not always correct or unbiased. I don’t care about fuel mileage either and plan to keep ours for the next 10-15 years at least, if possible. My uoa's indicate a reduction in viscosity after only 22-2400 miles, much lower than the OEM recommended oci mileage. I do not have confidence in the long term internal protection by using the thinner 0w20. I opted for 5w30 ESP after three oil analysis’ and used the data to drive the decision. Turbos have a habit of cooking the oil, which is why I went with a HTHS product rated at 3.5 versus the typical 2.6 of a 0w20. I have noticed an improvement in engine sound, smoother transition from start/stop via the hybrid system, and an overall improvement in idle raspy/typewriter noises. I made the choice for my engine. It may not make sense for everyone else. I have the final 0w20 uoa sent to Blackstone and can post once it's completed.

 

[josiahg52]

I searched chat gpt and it said the 5W-30 is more for the older engine. Juat like the guy in the video in a previous reply said.
If you can point me at a research that proves the 5W-30 is better on the 6G 4Runner, please do.

Using ChatGPT as a primary source is diabolical.

I asked ChatGPT:

"Is 5W-30 okay to use in my 2026 Toyota 4Runner's engine?"

The response:

"Yes, 5W-30 is generally capable of lubricating and protecting the 2026 Toyota 4Runner's 2.4L turbo engine, and its use would not be expected to cause immediate mechanical incompatibility or damage solely because it is a 5W-30.

However, whether it is "okay" depends on what you mean by okay:
Mechanically: Yes, a modern 5W-30 is within the range that many similar engines can operate on satisfactorily.

From the standpoint of Toyota's recommendations and warranty considerations: Toyota's owner's manual should be followed, and any departure from the recommended viscosity should be made with an understanding of the manufacturer's guidance.

In terms of performance: A 5W-30 will generally provide a thicker oil film at operating temperature and slightly higher pumping losses and fuel consumption compared to a 0W-20."

There is no exponential tightening of engine tolerances that makes a 5W30 oil (automatically) unusable in one for which 0W20 is recommended. The "tighter tolerances require thinner oils" has become an oversimplified talking point. It distracts from the fact that modern viscosity recommendations are heavily influenced by regulatory and efficiency considerations in addition to engine design, which has been belabored (correctly) here time and time again. If magically tighter tolerances made 5W30 fundamentally unsuitable, then the same engine would not often be approved for multiple viscosities in different markets and temperature ranges.

To make a decision on an oil solely based on viscosity numbers is short sighted. Plenty of 5W30 behave more like a 0W20 or another viscosity and vice versa. If you want to keep it simple, just use what Toyota has manufactured for them. If you insist on "research" to inform every alternative, you will be frustrated; just use what Toyota has manufactured for them. If you want to use an alternative, learn what the product specifications, API, ILSAC and ASTM (or ISO and DIN) testing numbers mean, make a selection, and back it up with your own research: UOAs.

 

[ROBERT18452]

My personal preference would be:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/139680614?sid=B90E1AAE-CCAB-42F2-AD43-640081CD3B63

 

[SouthCoast]

For a turbo engine, I'd pay more attention to a Euro formulation with ACEA C3, MB 229.52, VW 504/507. They typically have better HTHS properties, which was one of the driving factors for my switch to Mobil 1 5w30 ESP. But, your engine, your choice!

 

[NotApplicable]

Oil is like religion. Everyone has their own deeply held faith-driven superstitions and beliefs!

In reality, if you’re consistent with OCIs, nearly any modern full synthetic in the [0-10]W-[20-40] range will take care of the lubrication concerns great for the life of the vehicle.

But it’s one of those things car people love to debate each other about on Internet forums instead of driving our vehicles!

 

[4cyl_runner]

For a turbo engine, I'd pay more attention to a Euro formulation with ACEA C3, MB 229.52, VW 504/507. They typically have better HTHS properties, which was one of the driving factors for my switch to Mobil 1 5w30 ESP. But, your engine, your choice!

I decided this will be on my next oil change at 2k miles... I was actually tempted to use 5w-30 ESP but was swayed by chatgpt LOL.

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