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A lot of drivers are scared of using different oil on their vehicles to avoid engine damage and other possible issues that may result from doing that. But can i use 5w20 instead of 5w30 on Toyota? Yes, you can use 5w20 oil on Toyota instead of 5w30.
It’s worth noting that using a different oil on your car won’t damage the engine; notwithstanding, it may trigger certain unusual signs depending on your car model. The 5w20 and 5w30 are closely similar, but definitely not the same.
While the 5w30 would still flow well in high temperatures, the 5w20 is likely to thin out – and this is the main difference between these two oils. Now, what would happen if you mistakenly pour 5w20 instead of 5w30?
How’s 5w20 Different From 5w30 Oil?
Engine oils have different ratings based on their weight and viscosity. “Viscosity” refers to the rate at which an oil will flow in cold temperatures and high temperatures respectively.
A 5w20 oil is a motor that flows easily in cold and hot temperatures; however, since 5w20 doesn’t have weight, they are liable to thin out at high temps. Similarly, 5w30 would flow easily in cold and high temps.
However, since 5w30 has more weight than 5w20, it’s liable to survive high temperatures (it won’t thin out). Basically, the main difference between 5w20 and 5w30 oils is their performance in high temperatures.
Well, this shouldn’t scare you if you use 5w20. It won’t just thin out that easily; the temperature needs to get so high before the oil may possibly thin out. Yes, the last number after the letter “W” in any oil is the oil’s performance rating for high temps.
If it’s winter season, apparently, you shouldn’t have to worry about anything as both 5w20 and 5w30 deliver the same performance and flow evenly at cold temps.
Read Also: Clean Vs Dirty Engine Oil
Can I Use 5w20 Instead Of 5w30 on Toyota?
With the explanation above, YES, you can use 5w20 instead of 5w30 in a Toyota vehicle. Notwithstanding, Toyota has its recommended oil for each of its car models.
The generally suitable motor to use on practically all Toyota engines is 5w30. Toyota has its OEM 5w30 oil, but you could still find alternatives and equivalents if the OEM seems expensive for you.
There’s nothing to be scared of when you switch from using the oil recommended by your car manufacturer to its aftermarket equivalent. The only thing this could cost you is to void the warranty on your new car.
So, if you’re very concerned about the warranty on your new car, you should stick with the recommended OEM oil for your engine.
Back to our 5w20 and 5w30 explanation; 5w20 is not practically recommended (unless it’s specified by your car maker). It is better to use 5w30, but we all can make mistakes, or you could be stranded and all you could see is 5w20.
When you refill 5w20 in your Toyota, you should continue using it until your next oil change when you can switch back to 5w30.
But, if you wish to entirely switch from 5w30 to 5w20 for whatever reason, then you should completely drain out the 5w30 remaining in the reservoir before refilling 5w20.
It is important to completely drain an old oil before refilling a new one, especially when they are not of the same weight or brand.
What More?
Put simply, refilling 5w20 in an engine with 5w30 specifications would cause no harm. However, it is important to say that when you don’t use the recommended oil for your engine, your car may not output its best performance.
To unlock your car engine to deliver its best performance, you should use the motor oil recommended by the manufacturer or its equivalent of the same weight/viscosity.
Since the additives used in motor oils differ from brand to brand, type to type, you may notice that your car performs better when you use a particular type of oil – not necessarily the OEM recommended oil.
Read Also: Can I Use 5w30 Instead Of 5w20 In My Jeep?