5W-30 Makes Engine Quieter

Hi All,
I recently decided to make the switch from 0W-20 to 5W-30 for my 2016 with 75k miles. For about two weeks of around town errands, several times I thought to myself that the engine was quieter but I figured I must be imagining it or some placebo effect. Week before last the wife and I started a nine night vacation driving from SoCal to Utah and Colorado and after about 30 minutes on the highway the wife said "the car is quieter". I was totally shocked but I also totally agreed and I then explained to her that I changed the oil viscosity and thought I was imagining it......

Anyway, I thought this very interesting as I am basically reverting to the original oil viscosity that was originally specified by the OEM for this ancient 1GR-FE engine, and we all know this engine is known for making noise, so perhaps some of this noise is due to the "wrong" oil being forced on Toyota for fuel efficiency mandates.

Previously I used the Toyota 0W-20 with some oil changes using Amsoil 0W-20. My current 5W-30 is Amsoil Signature Series (at the recommendation of 540ratblog).

I paid $83 for qty 7 quarts. I perform all my own maintenance. Additionally, I did not rotate tires or anything else that would explain the difference.

Cheers!

 

Highway high RPM extended periods is where I think the 5w30 really benefits with less shearing. I am regeared to 4.56 but with 3.73 highway speeds crosswinds or inclines gear hunting often kept me in 4th high RPM also.

Thanks for sharing and hope this doesn't turn into the usual oil debate.

I am in a warm climate so not much concern of needing a 0w for cold flow.

 

0w-30 would be a better choice. Under load, higher temps, etc., you're looking at the 30 vs 20 performance, not the 5 vs 0.

The manual also says you can use 0w-30 (in more words).

Likely nothing catastrophic will happen with the 5w-30, but personally I'd rather have the manufacturer-spec'd weight for startup.

 

Toyota engineers, using the "wrong" oil. Sounds spot on to me. Also, id pick a weight, for the climate you live in,.... not because my wife told me that my rig sounds "quieter" . She probably vacuumed that day. But do you mate. Cheers.

 

No way, we're better than th....

..at. Well it was fun when it lasted.

 

30w-50 makes it better and 75w-130 gear oil in engine makes it silent.

 

Yep, that's how I do it: gear oil in the engine, and bearing grease in the diffs.

If a little is good, why not go for a lot?

 

It made it an hour, that's not bad.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pT4xDuy2rLg&

(technically it was something like 50:50 Nutella and mineral oil)

 

I'm betting you can drive these things with peanut oil.

And I'm even more confident they'd work for a while with the correct level of peanut butter in the diffs.

 

Ha, “wrong oil” declares one owner based on anecdotal feelings confirmed by the passenger.

 

main "rattle" sound coming from VVTi systems, and current 1GRFE has 2 of them. yes, thicker oil "dampens" VVTi gears contact sound, and same time "slowing" it's operation. may be not much, but still... . also, pistons "cooling" jets at the base of cylinder block, designed to spray oil on a bottom of pistons to cool them. and those jets designed for certain oil weight. my point is: oil is not so maintenance liquid, but one of the many parts of the engine, designed to work together.

 

Dank Pods!

 

Right. I trust Toyota engineers than rando forum posters experimenting

 

Back in the old days it was a common practice to use a heavier oil to quiet the valve clatter of an older car in need of a valve job. But it wasn’t a good idea.

 

Yep.. don’t care if someone experiments with own car. That’s very different than proclaiming the official oil is “wrong” based on personal anecdotes lol

 

I was told the tolerances are a lot tighter on the dial vvti 1gr vs the older 4th gen 4Runner 1gr I’ll still run 0w20 every 5k miles

 

I kinda like the VVT-i rattle. It’s a lot quieter than my 2002 Powerstroke diesel. And it reminds me that actual mechanical things are happening under the hood.

 

I remember changing the weight of the oil depending on season.

0-20 is the way to go, much better for the vehicle long term. OP is going to ruin his 4R.

 

But his wife said !!!!??
Not to mention, probably in the drive time, where viscosity didnt even matter on either oil. But "quieter" driving to wallmart in a half mile radius.

 

Yerrrr.. this guy gets it. Hell i think in Australia, they DO recommend a higher W (winter viscosity). Its not even the weight, but how it does in winter, or cold. It gets below freezing where im at (Utah), and id rather have the protection at start up. Ya know, when an engine is most unprotected.
EDIT- that said, i highly doubt any damage will be done. Depending on his location, hell let him run (and sugar pill) whatever he wants. Itll be fine.

 

Based on how much he drives (less than 10k miles per year), it really doesn't matter what OP does, within reason. It's unlikely the car will ever get to the point where these oil shenanigans make a difference.

 

My man.....

 

And another... my man. If he digs it... cool beans.
EDIT- my 18 is over 110k. And just growing. In all sorts of drives. Moab, or just 30 mins to work, daily. I beat on this thing like it owes me money. And will continue to.

 

5W-30 for the win.

 

What does the manual recommend? I'd go with that.

 

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/alternate-4runner-oil.289785/

 

Since we’re posting pages from official documentation, this note is on every other page:


What I take away from that is that they want you to change the oil on time, even if you can’t lay your hands on 0W20, but they REALLY want you to use 0W20, even if it means shortening the oil change interval.

 

I'm sure the heavier oil weight guys will have no issue going to a shorter OCI.

I'm sure they even start threads asking if 5000 miles is too long...

 

I recently acquired around 15qt mobil1 5w-20 full synthetic oil, for free. Tempted to put it in my 4runner with only 16k miles. But also, winter is coming. Betwixt!