Is the original oil came from factory is synthetic or dino oil and is it 0w20 or 5w20?

 

I think it has been posted in the past that the original oil is 0w20 which is synthetic only.

Updated 11/17/08:
The above information is INCORRECT. The correct answer is 5w-20.

 

Is there any documentation from Toyota the oil in TCH is 0W20?

I have not been successful finding any, the 0W20 from previous posts are speculation IMHO.

 

I think it is 5w20 dino....but not possitive...

 

I'm thinking the same thing. 5w20 dino.

 

Dealer service centers generally use 5w-20 dino because it's cheapest, unless you request otherwise. My dealer does not stock 0w-20 at all, but I can tell you that 5w-20 synthetic and 0w-20 (which is only available in synthetic by the sheer chemistry of the stuff) is more expensive, just take a look at your local Auto Zone, Advance Auto, Napa, or even Wal Mart.

I'm about 500 miles from an oil change, and I'll be purchasing my own 0W-20 (either Mobil 1 or Pennzoil Platinum) and filter and having them put it in when I have my tires rotated.

We had a very engaging thread on this just a few weeks ago. Check it out.

 

A tech at our local Toyota dealer told me last year that the new cars come with 5W-20 dino oil. I noticed at 5000 miles, when I put in the 0W-20 toyota brand of pure synthetic, the engine was quieter and my gas mileage improved slightly.

 

Just a little math...
I don't know the exact difference in mileage, but let's assume that 0W gets an extra 3MPG over 'dino' (possibly a good guesstimate?).
So...
5000 miles at 40 MPG is 125 gallons of gas (with 0W)
5000 miles at 37 MPG is 135 gallons of gas (with dino)
At today's average prices (~$2.50 gallon) thats a difference in gas cost of $25
Not sure if there are any other differences between 0W and 'dino' is, but assuming the cost differential between the oils is ~$10 (guessing that 0W is $2/quart more expensive and using 4 1/2 quarts) the net difference is $15 over six months*.
Yes, it's real money savings, but is it worth the aggravation or effort?



* equal to one vente latte every two months

 

Your right, I got about 2.5 to 3 mpg better mpg when I switched to the 0W - 20 oil. That was not my only reason though. Synthetic protects the engine better during cold morning start-ups. Synthetic oil has the widest heat range of them all. I like the ease of starting a engine at the very coldest temperatures. In turn, that helps take any load of the starter.

There are lots of details using goggle. Try, dino vs synthetic oil or synthetic oil benefits.

 

rburt07...Of course you know that the TCH doesn't have a "starter"...right?