With the justification provided, it is CERTAINLY POSSIBLE to utilize 5w20 in a Toyota vehicle rather than 5w30. Nevertheless, Toyota has a suggested oil for every one of its automobile models.
5w30 is the standard motor that may be used with almost all Toyota engines. Toyota has its own OEM 5w30 oil, however if the OEM appears too pricey for you, you may be able to discover substitutes and equivalents.
When you transition from using the oil advised by your car’s manufacturer to its aftermarket counterpart, there is nothing to be afraid of. You might simply lose the new car’s warranty if you do this, though.
Therefore, you should stay with the OEM oil that is advised for your engine if you are particularly concerned about the guarantee on your new automobile.
Going back to our explanation of 5w20 and 5w30, 5w20 is not typically advised (unless your automobile manufacturer specifies it). Although it is preferable to utilize 5w30, mistakes can be made and 5w20 may be all that is available if you become trapped.
Your Toyota should use 5w20 until your subsequent oil change, at which point you can go back to 5w30.
However, you must totally drain off the 5w30 that is still in the reservoir before adding 5w20 if you want to completely switch from 5w30 to 5w20 for any reason.
Before adding new oil, it is crucial to properly drain the old one, especially if the two don’t have the same weight or brand.
In This Article...
What Happens If You Use 5W-30 Instead Of 5W-20 Oil?
If it doesn’t, your engine is at risk of being damaged and performing worse.
This is because your engine will experience greater friction if you expose it to oil that is a little bit thicker than usual. Because of the heavier oil’s increased resistance, your engine must work harder to complete its tasks.
Your internal combustion engine may run more slowly and experience issues including oil leaks, engine deposits, and sludge formation due to the heavier oil’s greater friction.
Additionally, using the incorrect oil in newer engines could void their warranties and increase the possibility of long-term engine damage.
Can You Mix 5W-20 And 5W-30 Oils?
Most mechanics will caution you against combining two multigrade lubricants, even though some engines may permit it. Using the incorrect oil or combining two different oils might occasionally void your car’s warranty and result in exorbitant repair costs.
Additionally, you run the danger of shortening the life of your internal combustion engine.
Mixing 5W-20 and 5W-30 (or any other oils, for that matter) could cause your engine to wear down more quickly and eventually have issues with the important engine parts’ fundamental operation.
Additionally, combining various viscosity grade oils won’t have any apparent effects, even if your engine permits it. Therefore, even if the oil viscosity grade your car engine needs can vary, it’s preferable to just use one viscosity rating at a time.
Are 5W-20 And 5W-30 Oil Synthetic?
Available in traditional and synthetic oil varieties are 5W-20 and 5W-30 oils.
Refined crude oil is used as the foundation oil for conventional oil production, coupled with a variety of additives (like a viscosity index improver or corrosion inhibitor). It offers reasonable fuel efficiency, defense against wear and damage to different engine elements.
On the other hand, synthetic motor oil is incredibly dependable and stable in a wide range of temperatures.
In fact, a synthetic 5W-20 oil might function even better in a warmer environment than a regular 5W-30 oil. For a more stable operating temperature range, synthetic motor oil is created by disassembling and reconstructing hydrocarbon atoms.
There are synthetic blend variations of 5W-20 and 5W-30 oils as well. Regular oil will perform worse than synthetic blend multi-grade oil, which is also more expensive.
Note: To adequately safeguard older or high mileage engines, a special high mileage oil may be needed. Over 75,000 miles are considered high mileage for automobiles.
If your vehicle fits this description, ask your mechanic about the best high mileage oil for your vehicle (5W-20 or 5W-30).
What Happens If You Use The Wrong Oil In Your Car?
The first step to take if you mistakenly used the incorrect oil for your engine is to drain the oil and acquire a new oil filter. It’s wise to avoid taking the chance even though it might not immediately shorten the life of your engine.
If you’re driving and unable to change your oil, follow these guidelines:
- Slow down and pay attention to your pace.
- Keep an eye on the engine’s maximum operating temperature and prevent it from rising.
- Pull over and turn off the engine if the usual operating temperature does indeed enter the “red” zone. Allow the engine to cool down for a while before you resume driving.
- For assistance if the engine continues to heat up, call roadside assistance.
Never forget that you should always keep a tight eye on the engine oil you use. Inform your mechanic and request an oil change if they unintentionally refill the wrong oil.
Otherwise, issues like strange engine noise, oil leaks, and engine deposits could arise. A burning smell coming from the engine, decreased fuel economy, and higher oil consumption are other possible symptoms.
Definition of 5w20 Vs. 5w30
The engine oil type 5w20 is distinguished by its oil weight of 20 in warm weather and a winter grade of 5. It has a lower viscosity than 5w30. While 5w30 has the same viscosity rating of 5 in the winter, it has an oil weight of 30 in the summer, making it thicker.
Working conditions for 5w20 Vs. 5w30
For use in cooler climates, use 5w20. As it moves swiftly and smoothly to deeper engine components with less friction, it makes it possible for a vehicle’s engine to start up rapidly. It immediately lubricates the components. In contrast, 5w30 performs well in warm environments. Unlike 5w20, it does not thin out quickly when exposed to heat. The engine components are therefore better protected overall when using 5w30 at operational temperatures.
Performance of 5w20 Vs. 5w30
These two engine oils function well in the environments for which they were created. Due to its low viscosity and reduced friction in the engine parts, 5w20 is a champion in colder regions with speedier engine starts. In hotter regions where a thick oil is required to resist the higher temperatures, 5w30 excels. Naturally, the engine will heat up more, necessitating a thicker oil. In colder climates, 5w20 is associated with higher performance and fuel economy, whereas 5w30 is associated with better overall engine component protection.
Can I substitute 5w30 for Toyota’s 5w20?
Your car needs synthetic oil with a viscosity rating of 0W-20. Also appropriate is 5W-20. Your engine won’t be harmed by 5W-30. Due to its increased viscosity, 5W-30 may result in decreased fuel efficiency, which could result in additional costs. Using the engine oil/filter service request page on YourMechanics, you can arrange a mobile oil/filter change if you want to go back to 0W-20 right away. Do not hesitate to get in touch with YourMechanic again if you have any more queries or worries.
Can I use 5W-20 in the winter?
One of the low-temperature grades added to the SAE J300 EOVC system after 1952 is 0W20 motor oil (0W20 oil). It is a liquid designed to behave as an SAE 20 once the engine reaches its operating temperature but flow as easily as an SAE 0 in subzero conditions.
Even at -35C/-31F, this type of oil will still start to flow through the engine’s oil channels. This oil lubricates important engine components, making it simpler for you to start your engine cold in the winter.
W20 vs 5W20 Fuel Economy
Another low-temperature grade often advised for winter use is 5W20 motor oil, with 10W-30 serving as an option for higher temperatures. Because it offers the best fuel economy, reduces fuel consumption, and produces fewer exhaust pollutants, this oil type is widely used. Motor companies and governments all around the world, led by those in Japan, Europe, and the US, are looking for 5W20.
Low viscosity, high-quality synthetic grades 0W20 and 5W20 can both significantly improve fuel economy. When employed in fair-weather temperatures, their attributes are identical. When utilized in cold temperatures, there is little to no difference between the two variants.
Will using the incorrect oil harm my engine?
Although the brand of motor oil you use is important, the viscosity grade is more important. There are different engine oil grades (5W-30, 15W-40, 10W-30, etc.), each of which is created for a particular type of engine.
Some viscosities are suitable for cold areas, while others work better in warmer environments. Your car’s engine can run as long as feasible with the proper engine oil. Use the suggested oil, whether conventional, synthetic, or of a different viscosity, for the engine’s greatest performance and protection.
Because of this, it’s always advisable to abide by the manufacturer’s instructions while topping off your oil because awful things always happen when these instructions are disregarded. You should abide by the instructions in your owner’s manual to avoid oil leaks, overheating, decreased fuel efficiency, and damaged engines. Below is further information on these symptoms in more detail.
Oil leaks
Since different synthetic engine oils will have different flow characteristics, using the incorrect engine oil can result in oil leaks. You may detect a leak under your car or where it is parked. Older cars from the 1960s and 1970s or those with high mileage utilize heavier oil to assist seal and safeguard the engine. Modern automobiles, on the other hand, are made to consume thinner oil.
Gaskets and seals may leak if synthetic oil is used in place of conventional oil in an older or vehicle with a greater mileage. It won’t offer the necessary lubrication and protection if it’s too thin. The mess that results from an oil leak must be immediately fixed.
Engine overheating
If you don’t use the proper oil for your engine, overheating could result. In addition to lubricating the engine’s components, engine oil also absorbs some of the heat generated by the engine to prevent any of the components from overheating.
Contrary to the manufacturer’s advice, using a heavier oil can reduce flow and impair the oil’s capacity to maintain thermal balance. The resistance and heat generated for the incorrect application increase with oil thickness.
Reduced fuel economy
After an oil change, your fuel economy may have decreased, which could be the result of using the incorrect oil. Utilizing engine oil that is excessively thick or has a greater viscosity than what is advised can impact a vehicle’s fuel economy.
The energy required to pump an oil with a high viscosity will increase fuel consumption. Your engine will have to burn more fuel in order to overcome the increased resistance on the moving parts. The efficiency of the engine should increase if the oil is switched to one that is a little bit thinner. Use the weight and kind that are suited for your vehicle.
Cause damage to engine life
The incorrect engine oil can harm an engine by improperly lubricating its parts. As a result, there will be metal-on-metal contact between the moving pieces. Soon after, friction develops, leading to engine component wear. Additionally, it might harm your engine’s pistons, oil pump, cylinder wall, bearings, and other parts. This will thus limit the engine’s life and almost probably result in an engine failure.
When should 5W-20 oil be used?
Since 5W-20 has a low viscosity, it is best suited for vehicles that travel frequently in colder climates and low temperatures. It can assist with engine deposits and wear and tear issues and is appropriate for light-duty gasoline and gasoline engines.
In addition to performing exceptionally well at low temperatures, 5W-20 oil also benefits:
- Since the oil flows more freely from the oil pan to the rest of the engine at low temperatures, it offers better start-up performance at those levels.
- Because of its thinner oil viscosity, engine components like the crankshaft and pistons experience less friction and drag. As a result, there is a reduction in oil use and an increase in fuel economy.
- Better fuel economy is the result of its lower energy consumption, which also results in less exhaust pollutants.
Although 5W-20 oil has several advantages, you should only use it when your mechanic and the manufacturer of your car recommend it. The performance of your engine might be seriously harmed by using the incorrect motor oil.
Let’s now examine some additional frequently asked questions and their responses regarding 5W-20 oil.
Does 5W-20 oil have a high mileage rating?
designed for vehicles with heavy mileage ExxonMobil advises using Mobil 1 High Mileage 5W-20 motor oil in high mileage vehicles (even those that have previously used conventional lubricants of lower grade), such as: Cars. Trucks.