Dealer put 5w-30w in my 5.7 WTD?

[Gunner Tundra]

I recently turned my truck in for 5000 service and brought in my own Mobil 1 5W-20W oil as a replacement. About two weeks after they've done this, I noticed a small sticker on the very top left corner of my windshield that said "5W-30W Valvoline." I brought my truck back to the dealer and they tested the oil just to be sure they did not take my oil and used theirs, and the result was, it was the synthetic I had brought in.

They decided, without asking me to add another quart of oil (Mobil 1 5W-30W) to top me off. Since that point, I noticed that my engine takes longer to warm up, and MPG's around the city have gotten worse, meaning, it drops faster than normal. I can sit at idle for less than 5 minutes and it'll go from 16.5 to 16.0 just like that. I called the service manager and he assured me that Toyota is saying that cars in Southern California doesn't really need the thinner oil, but I reviewed the owners manual, and it says nothing about geographic locations and oil grade changes. He also added that ALL Toyota's that go through their service bays get 5W-30W oil no matter the manufacturer's recommendations, and that Toyota has "OKay'd" it. I'm upset right now and ready to call the dealer back, but I need some advice/opinions before I do so. Again, I have 7 quarts of 5w-20w, and 1 quart of 5w-30w. Am I crazy, or should I be concerned?

[rockstate45]

Take it back and have THEM go out and buy 7 quarts of Mobil1 5W20 and give you another free oil change. They added the other without your consent it sounds like.


Then find another dealer to go to.

-rockstate

[eddiekidd]

Originally Posted by gtr289man

I recently turned my truck in for 5000 service and brought in my own Mobil 1 5W-20W oil as a replacement. About two weeks after they've done this, I noticed a small sticker on the very top left corner of my windshield that said "5W-30W Valvoline." I brought my truck back to the dealer and they tested the oil just to be sure they did not take my oil and used theirs, and the result was, it was the synthetic I had brought in.

They decided, without asking me to add another quart of oil (Mobil 1 5W-30W) to top me off. Since that point, I noticed that my engine takes longer to warm up, and MPG's around the city have gotten worse, meaning, it drops faster than normal. I can sit at idle for less than 5 minutes and it'll go from 16.5 to 16.0 just like that. I called the service manager and he assured me that Toyota is saying that cars in Southern California doesn't really need the thinner oil, but I reviewed the owners manual, and it says nothing about geographic locations and oil grade changes. He also added that ALL Toyota's that go through their service bays get 5W-30W oil no matter the manufacturer's recommendations, and that Toyota has "OKay'd" it. I'm upset right now and ready to call the dealer back, but I need some advice/opinions before I do so. Again, I have 7 quarts of 5w-20w, and 1 quart of 5w-30w. Am I crazy, or should I be concerned?

I've always heard that you should never mix weights of oil. Also, if toyota has ok'd it, then I'd want it in writing (which isn't going to happen IMO). When you pay as much as we have for nice trucks and are willing to put the best in them, you should get what you want. If it were me, I'd definitely demand they put exactly what the manual calls for and nothing else. Let something happen to your engine and you may be on your own because you didn't have the proper oil in it. If I'm not mistaken, several weeks ago, I read a post about someone using 5-30 and it caused their truck to run odd.

[YIPIKIYA]

Get It In Writing What The've Done; But Make Them Change The Oil To The Correct Amount Of The Same Oil Weight!!!

[cdub122]

I caught my dealership trying to put 5w30 in my truck. I stopped the tech and told him to put in 5w20. He got 8 quarts from the parts dept and that's what went in. I talked to the manager and they put a note on my account to remind them every time i go in that my truck gets 5w20. I'll also ask them to give me the empty quart bottles if I can't stick around and watch them. They seemed to be pretty interested in keeping me happy and keeping my business.

[swank501]

A similar thing happened to me. I insisted they use what Toy reccommended, but they convinced me that 5-30 was ok and that they used it in all the vehicles. I had called in advance to make sure they could accommodate my truck and they said yes which I assumed meant they had the proper filter and oil. I caved and let them do it since I had already driven out there and tbhey did not have the oil in stock.

I called corporate when I got home and they agreed to pay for my next oil change with the proper oil. I have noticed a drop in the MPG and plan to put the proper oil in the next time.

BOTTOM LINE: Toyota engineers know more than the mechanics and service advisors employed at the dealer. If it didn't matter they would not specify. They did specify and that is what should be put in there no questions asked

[djb383]

One qt of 5w30 mixed with 7 qts of 5w20 can't possibly make any difference, your fine, go with it. How can motor oil make an engine warm up slower? Maybe cooler weather, but not motor oil. What you have now is 5w21.25.......again, no problem at all.

[Gunner Tundra]

Originally Posted by djb383

One qt of 5w30 mixed with 7 qts of 5w20 can't possibly make any difference, your fine, go with it. How can motor oil make an engine warm up slower? Maybe cooler weather, but not motor oil. What you have now is 5w21.25.......again, no problem at all.

I forgot to mention that with 8 quarts, it's already over the MAX dot mark on the dipstick. I could also be having "Windage" issues as well. I'm going to the deal this afternoon to reslove this. Thanks everyone for your inputs.

I think there are service departments that don't fully understand the new 5.7L design and why Toyota has recommended the type of oil for that motor. Dumb a**es...

[Hi Volt]

I agree, adding 1 quart of 5w30 will have a minimal effect on weight change. If your truck is taking longer to warm up, then check the outdoor thermometer, it has probably dropped. This drop in temp is the time winter fuel also comes out which drops mileage. Purely coincidence, don't lose any sleep or waste more gas running back top the dealer for what is really nothing IMHO.

[StatCoder]

Did you have all of your quarters after you got your truck back?

It sounds, to me, like if you want your oil changed the way you want it, you've got to do it yourself. I don't think, for a minute, that having a different weight oil in there will result in any symptoms or problems, however, I sure wouldn't want anyone to mix grades in my engine.

Last week I was walking around WalMart and asked for Mobil 1 5W20 and guess what? That's what they gave me! Then, I changed my own oil and used the correct filter and put the O-ring in the right place. No catastrphic oil purge. And, my radar detector and my quarters were still there when I was done. And, I didn't dent my truck driving it too fast in a parking lot.

I think I'm the best oil-change technician I have ever used, by far. I'm definitely going to use myself for oil changes in the future.

[NOLA_1906]

A thinner weight oil will allow your engine to warm up faster and get slightly better mpgs. A thicker weight oil will offer slightly better protection at the expense of a small drop in mpgs. A thicker weight is recommended in very hot/ humid environments that can tax an engine. The truth is the popularity of these thin oils has increased due to CAFE regulations. They sacrifice engine protection for better mpgs because the thinner weight reduces frictional losses. I would definitely run synthetic if using a 5w-20 or 0w-20 oil. Don't be freaked out by the dealer using a 5w-30, your engine won't blow up. Also, bean counters make more decisions than the engineers do, so whats recommended isn't always what's best. If you want better protection, use a heavier weight oil. If you want almost imperceptibly better mpgs, and don't care about protection because the manual says its ok to use a thinner weight, then stick to that. Either way, change it regularly and you'll be fine.

[djb383]

If your are going to put synthetic oil in, why not go with 0W20?

[djb383]

...................and where's the proof thicker is better. Also, thinner equals cooler, not thicker.

Motor Oil

[NOLA_1906]

The second number in the type of oil is the most important, meaning the 20 in 5w20. Its the weight of the oil at operating temps. The first number is the weight at startup. If in a cold climate, a lower weight like an 0w20 would be quicker to operating temps than a 5w20.
Oh, for all of you guys going to the drags, legal or otherwise, I would highly recommend running at LEAST a 5w30 or even a 40.

[djb383]

Well over 90% of engine wear occurs when the engine is started at less than normal operating temp. So why is the second number more important?