I completely agree about the general Group-III thing, but would add one important (at least I think...) added fact. A great many oils out there today, especially those billed as "synthetic" actually contain complex blends of base oils, so that they may have some PAO (Group-IV), some ANs or esters (G-V), and even some G-III in there too. Even the so-called "dino" (or more properly "conventional") oils may have some synthetic base in them, especially the 5w-20s. It's becoming increasingly difficult to get any idea about what oils are made from what. Ultimately, I think that the entire distinction between "conventional" and "synthetic" may melt down to meaninglessness.

 

I switched to the 0W-20 oil to get the extra 1 or 1 1/2 miles per gallon. I figure after 30 to 50 tanks, that's lots of extra mpg I would not otherwise get.

Lots of good oil filters out there. I like the purolator pure one. I have to drive 80 miles to el paso to buy them at pepboys. It's easier for me to go to my local Toyota dealer and pay the $7 for the factory filter. I understand it may be made by purolator.

 

Got a good price on a case of Toyota filters. Figure there can't be any question if I use their filters. Mobil 1 0W-20 oil. Don't care for Fram, Wal-mart filters test better per Bob the oil guy. Just my two cents. It is a personal choice for all of us.

 

What site?

Thanks for all the discussion guys!

 

Jimmy and Ronald and anyone else who uses 0W-20:

What's your OCI? I'd think 5k would be pretty pricey at $6-7 bucks a quart.

 

Ok, great news (please feel the sarcasm)!

I e-mailed the service center at my dealer (well, local dealer, I bought my car elsewhere b/c their sales staff completely ignored me when I was on their lot, meaning I was passed by by about 6 or 7 salespeople), asking what oil they normally put in a 2008 TCH, and this is the reply I received:

"This is [DN] from [DMC] and you can use 10W 30W and if any questions call me at [555 5555]"

I have omitted the names and phone number to protect the "innocent"

 

Yes. Unfortunately, some dealerships are still unaware, or worse, they are aware, but do not want to follow Toyota's recommendation because 0W-20 was only available in quarts - until recently.

0W-20 is now readily available in bulk to dealerships - primarily through Nippon Oil (ENEOS) because Nippon Oil supplies the factory fill 0W-20 to Toyota as well. www.eneos.us

Please continue to request the 0W-20 and reference your owner's manual & TSB. http://www.chrysanindustries.com/pdf..._tsb071002.pdf

Only when owners specifically request the 0W-20 will dealerships consider bringing in the 0W-20 in bulk and reduce the cost to the customer.

 

jg013c:

Yes. The 0W-20 oil change may be more expensive in metro NYC. So, you may want to call around and see if any dealerships have the 0W-20 in bulk.

I believe Nippon Oil has a bulk 0W-20 distributor in metro NYC - Grade A:
http://www.eneos.us/dealer_locator.p...te=NY&x=23&y=7

 

For any number of reasons, including those suggested here, I have simply given up on having the dealer, or any other 3rd party, do my oil changes. I realize that some won't or can't do this for themselves, but thankfully, I can. I know exactly what goes into my car, and how much of it is there. I know that there's a new filter of my choosing installed. And I get to take a careful look at the underside to see if any other issues might be emerging (leaks, physical damage, etc.). Perhaps most critically, I know that my drain plug is properly torqued back into place...

 

Here's an update:

Went into the dealer on Friday. Unfortunately, the service manager who is a family friend wasn't there, but I asked the first one that approached me. He didn't know, so he went and asked another guy who seemed busy with paper work and talking to someone else who worked there. He told me they put whatever is recommended, and said "I think that's 10w-30." Wow.

Of course, this was unsatisfactory, so I told him "well, I think it actually recommends 5w-20 or 0w-20". The response, oh yeah, well, we put whatever is recommended in it. So then I showed him the email I was sent, apparently by one of the sales guys, not service. He said "well, I guess I'll have to talk to him"

When I got back home, I had received an email from the sales guy apologizing and referencing the Prius...I just left it at that, since these people really must be idiots.

Thank god I didn't buy my car from them, though the other dealership's sales staff was equally inept PLUS they tried to cheat me out of stuff we had agreed upon. I think next time, I'll go hit up CarMax in Laurel, MD (which is pretty much no hassle, has a great rep, and it's a new Toyota dealer there).