My Toyota dealers answer to my Oil Change Question
#31
Re: My Toyota dealers answer to my Oil Change Question
Thank you jbollt. We have always gone to Desert for our Avalons, both still in the family with the children and working great, no problems. Turns out the service manager we always went to is the hybrid-guy now so won't even have to change. They have four hybrid techs, I'm told. Wrong answer was from another service manager, he probably was not very familiar with the hybrids and their special needs. I'll stick with the guy who knows them!
#32
Re: My Toyota dealers answer to my Oil Change Question
Originally Posted by Orcrone
I love it when people make claims like "it's just as good" or "there'll be no difference". I'd like to see the back section of the service department where they're scientifically using both oils in different engines, running them under scientifically controlled conditions making measurements about fuel and oil consumption and then breaking down the engines and inspecting and measuring parts for wear and tear.
Until they do that I'm going to be extremely skeptical about statements like "it's just as good".
Until they do that I'm going to be extremely skeptical about statements like "it's just as good".
http://www.performanceoiltechnology.com/ford5w20.htm
To save you reading some quots from article:
"You certainly can use a 5W-20 if you choose to, however you do not need to use a 5W-20 oil. You do not have to use 5W-20 to maintain your warranty, even though some dealership personnel may lead you to believe that you have to use a 5W-20. Your warranty is still valid and has to be honored whether you choose to use a 5W-20 or another viscosity of oil, such as a 5W-30 for example"
Another quote:
"One of the main reasons 5W-20 was specified for your engine is to increase the CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) reported to the Federal Government."
Anyhow I'm using 5w20 synthetic in my car, however be aware there are different opinions on the subject and even manual, page 347 only says to use ILSAC multigrade engine oil with recomended viscosity of 0W20 or 5w20. Nowhere does it say you must use w20 oil. The only benefits of low viscosity oil I ever came accross are: slightly better fuel efficiency and little faster initial flow on engine start up. Not really big deal IMO and whenever oil flows faster on start up, at the same time it will drain back as fast after engine shutdown, so I'm not sure what is better. If you have more info on the subject, please enlighten me. But please feel free to read the website to at least beaware of another point of view on the subject.
#33
Re: My Toyota dealers answer to my Oil Change Question
Originally Posted by Pete4
Look guys, Toyota introduced 5W20 oil for the first time in 2007 year models, that means even 2006 Prius used regular 5w30 oil. So some mechanics won't even know TCH has different oil spec (mechanic at the dealer told me it was his first TCH ever when I took mine for first oil change in July and it's a big dealership), some try to save money since most people won't ever ask what oil they use, assuming dealer knows best and some won't even care. And at the end it may not make such a big difference after all.
#34
Re: My Toyota dealers answer to my Oil Change Question
Originally Posted by Pete4
And I l love when people accept everything as gospel. Here is another view on 5w20 oil. You can believe anything you want, but nothing is black and white, there are different opinions on everything and truth is probably somewhere in between.
Anyhow the point of my post is that their comment of "just as good" is not based upon any particular knowledge or recommendation from Toyota.
I wouldn't get MY gospel from a website extolling the virtues of one particular product.
P.S. I will not be responding any further to this
Last edited by Orcrone; 10-25-2006 at 06:06 AM.
#35
Re: My Toyota dealers answer to my Oil Change Question
It sounds as if many dealers are putting 5W-30 oil in because of one of the following reasons:
1.) it's cheaper and what is pre-loaded into their lube system.
2.) They are un-aware of the TCH recommendation.
3.) Trying to avoid higher cost oil.
4.) all of the above.
Perhaps the answer is '4'. Ok Given that, how can we collectively prevent this from occurring?.. Any service/dealers out there that can recommend the correct approach to resolving this or would you assume that by just telling them, it will actually do some good?.
1.) it's cheaper and what is pre-loaded into their lube system.
2.) They are un-aware of the TCH recommendation.
3.) Trying to avoid higher cost oil.
4.) all of the above.
Perhaps the answer is '4'. Ok Given that, how can we collectively prevent this from occurring?.. Any service/dealers out there that can recommend the correct approach to resolving this or would you assume that by just telling them, it will actually do some good?.
#36
Re: My Toyota dealers answer to my Oil Change Question
Originally Posted by Pete4
Look guys, Toyota introduced 5W20 oil for the first time in 2007 year models, that means even 2006 Prius used regular 5w30 oil. So some mechanics won't even know TCH has different oil spec (mechanic at the dealer told me it was his first TCH ever when I took mine for first oil change in July and it's a big dealership), some try to save money since most people won't ever ask what oil they use, assuming dealer knows best and some won't even care. And at the end it may not make such a big difference after all.
http://rav4world.com/tsb/2006/EG018-06.pdf
ILSAC GF–4 SAE 5W–20
This oil has been set as the Toyota genuine engine oil, starting in February 2006 for
the U.S. This oil is superior in terms of fuel economy, engine protection, and cold
starting performance.
ILSAC GF–4 SAE 0W–20
This oil has even better fuel efficiency and cold starting performance than 5W–20. Initial
application for 0W–20 is in the 2006 model year 2AZ–FE engine and will be used in new
engines to be developed.
#37
Re: My Toyota dealers answer to my Oil Change Question
Originally Posted by WillyBill
It sounds as if many dealers are putting 5W-30 oil in because of one of the following reasons:
1.) it's cheaper and what is pre-loaded into their lube system.
2.) They are un-aware of the TCH recommendation.
3.) Trying to avoid higher cost oil.
4.) all of the above.
Perhaps the answer is '4'. Ok Given that, how can we collectively prevent this from occurring?.. Any service/dealers out there that can recommend the correct approach to resolving this or would you assume that by just telling them, it will actually do some good?.
1.) it's cheaper and what is pre-loaded into their lube system.
2.) They are un-aware of the TCH recommendation.
3.) Trying to avoid higher cost oil.
4.) all of the above.
Perhaps the answer is '4'. Ok Given that, how can we collectively prevent this from occurring?.. Any service/dealers out there that can recommend the correct approach to resolving this or would you assume that by just telling them, it will actually do some good?.
BTW, 0W-20 and 5W-20 oils were recommended for 2006 engines in addition to 2007, so all mechanics and not just “hybrid trained” should have used 5W-20 at the very least. The fact that they are not using it even with ASE training means that they chose to ignore Toyota service bulletins to help the dealers bottom line.
#38
Re: My Toyota dealers answer to my Oil Change Question
Originally Posted by jbollt
I suspect it is not intentional, just poor communication and training of the lube guys....and it is easier to pump the required 4.x quarts, rather than open and pour 4 or 5 bottles of oil.
#39
Re: My Toyota dealers answer to my Oil Change Question
Originally Posted by livvie
It's only on the oil cap. I don't know how much training is required to read the label.
#40
Re: My Toyota dealers answer to my Oil Change Question
Originally Posted by jbollt
This is true! How sad, that they are apparently in such a hurry that they don't even read the cap.