Why is Puerto Rico able to use 15W-40?

Why is it that Puerto Rico is able to use up to 15W-40 when it says that if you’re in America you better change that 5W-20 out ASAP? Are they just saying that for epa nonsense?

 

Just guessing without reading it's probably the year round hot weather...

 

Yeah that is weird. I have been to PR many times and I know it is extremely humid there even sometimes in the winter time. However, I would not think the humidity is any worse than southern Florida in the summer. Good question.

 

Well it gets between 85-95 on a consistent basis where I live. So if it’s ok for them to use 5-30 there, then it should be okay for me to use it here

 

Reading the chart.
In the US no matter where you live your truck 'could be' subjected to temperatures below 10 degrees. Not so in Puerto Rico.

 

So it’s totally fine to use 5w-30 then, and actually preferred, if you’re in a generally warm climate. But it’s weird that it says take the 5w-20 out ASAP. It’s just not making any clear sense to me.

 

The temperature zones speak for themselves. Go by the one that applies to the temps your truck is likely to be subjected to.

Edit: '0' weight oil assures adequate lubrication at the lowest of temperatures. If the lowest temp your truck will ever see is above 10 degrees, the 15/40 works.

 

I understand that. But what I’m not understanding is why it’s says to take the 5-20 asap

 

Looking at the chart in the first pic, it clearly denotes the widest temperature range which would require the use of 0/30. Thus the statement. imo

 

It's CAFE stuff. Maximum fuel economy at any cost. It's not like the ambient temperature there is higher than normal operating temperature.

 

This^^. Plus, I don't know if it's possible that they actually use different piston rings in PR but in the US newer vehicles have lower tension rings to reduce friction or rotating resistance (For the sake of fuel economy). Because of that you have to use a lighter weight oil. In theory anyway, the rings aren't strong enough to consistently wipe the oil from the cylinder walls and you could have oil consumption problems.

 

Not to argue the point but,

"Choosing the correct oil viscosity can be an important factor in determining the life expectancy and performance of your engine. Using the correct-viscosity oil can also keep the engine running at its peak efficiency, and plays a small part in the overall fuel economy of your vehicle."

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/2014/04/18/tech-101-what-oil-viscosity-ratings-mean
.

 

If only we had a poster on here who lives in the tropics down below Florida. I bet he could enlighten us on this.

 

I suppose I hadn't considered the possibility of the piston rings being different. If the were the case, I suppose 0W-20 would really be ideal and one should stick to it.

However, if it were just different due to political BS, then you should be fine to use the guide based on ambient temperature.

 

I am an old guy that has gone through many vehicles manuals, and they all state that you should choose your viscosity by the temperature of the area in which you live. The recommended viscosity is really only for milage ratings. This is just my understanding of it though.

 

Car manufacturers have been trying to use the thinnest oil possible for years in order to squeeze out the most MPG.

Whatever data they submit to the EPA for approval of the official published MPG numbers, the EPA dictates that they must make sure the customer uses that same oil. Hence the listing of the 0W-20 in the owner manual. This apparently doesn’t apply to Puerto Rico, they don’t consider it to be a US state, so they can use viscosities that make sense, according to temperature.

Here’s a good post in another forum thread. Read the EPA letter.

 

I have a lot of Mobil1 and Castrol Edge 10w40 that I found on sale that is going in the 4Runner without hesitation.

 

Where does it say to get the 0-20 out ASAP? Someone mentioned it’s almost always humid in PR, would the thicker oil be able to absorb some water better than a thinner weight? Other than that, I’d say it’s the constant warmer temps, and it would be a big pain in the ass for yota to list out all the warmer places.

 

Bingo.

 

If ambient temperature was really the reason, people in the US should be able to run 0W-20, 5W-20, and 5W-30 year round as well. And, for the most part, we should be able to run 10W-30 and 15W-40 for most of the year according to the chart.

So, unless there is an actual mechanical difference between US and Puerto Rico motors, I am still convinced that this is nothing more than Toyota doing their part to eek out an extra .0000001 MPG in the name of US fuel economy regulations.

 

0-20 seems to cover the biggest range, thus covering more of yota’s ass.

 

There's little doubt that what they print has corporate lawyers and CARB rules duly noted somewhere in the fine print.
This is a topic that's covered from stem to stern in the motorcycle world. In the end it comes down to where you live and where you may venture to. For instance...I may leave my place at 3AM & 105 degrees temps(not kidding) to find myself in the mountains of Az or Co. where the temps are below freezing. Pick the correct oil viscosity for your use - not a group of lawyers or CARB. just my 2c......keep the change

 

As does 5W-20 and 5W-30, so why aren't those viscosities recommended as well?

Agreed!

 

Cause 0 is 5 less than 5, so there 4, far superior. Seriously, I really don’t know, other than 0-20 will cover the colder range, and help the EPA ratings. Not to mention oil has come along ways since the need to use heavy weight in the summer and thin just to get through the cold months times. Engines are also built with tighter tolerances than those days as well.

 

Right there in bold.

It has nothing to do with newer oil or engine tolerances, otherwise the same would apply regardless of what country we're in.

 

Maybe so, maybe not.

 

Like I said, unless there is something mechanically different between US engines and Puerto Rico engines, the chart should be applicable to all 4runners. The only reason for it to be different is due to US fuel economy regulations.

 

It’s possible.

 

I agree. There is no difference in 4Runners sold in PR.

Here’s a good article to read that answers a lot of motor oil questions. It’s by Amsoil, and I know some of you are biased against them because of their self promotion and MLM structure, but take a look. It’s long but worth the read.
http://ultimatesyntheticoil.com/ford-5w20