I have a 1995 Toyota Tacoma with close to 300k miles on it, have been putting 5w-30 oil (synthetic blend) in it for years, usually every 3000 miles but occasionally not until 5-6k. Based on some of the things I've read here I've been considering switching to 0W-20. Mainly because of my commute;
I live about 10 minutes from work, and while I usually let the engine run for 30-60 seconds after starting it in the morning, I'm usually more than halfway to work before the engine gets to operating temp (at least, thats when the coolant is warm enough that I get hot air from my heater). I might drive further once or twice a week, but I'd guess at least 40% of the time my engine is below operating temp. I'm not one to drive hard, I usually shift gears at 3.75k on the tachometer and red-line is at 5k. And I very seldom tow anything though I do keep a lot of stuff in the back.
I live near Seattle, but far enough in the mountains that temps of 20-30F in the morning when I leave are common enough in the winter, and probably 50-60 in the summer.
Does going with a thinner grade seem reasonable given my driving conditions, or should I stick with 5W-30?
It's a 2.4L manual transmission if that makes any difference.
Any thoughts or opinions much appreciated.
Thanks,
I live about 10 minutes from work, and while I usually let the engine run for 30-60 seconds after starting it in the morning, I'm usually more than halfway to work before the engine gets to operating temp (at least, thats when the coolant is warm enough that I get hot air from my heater). I might drive further once or twice a week, but I'd guess at least 40% of the time my engine is below operating temp. I'm not one to drive hard, I usually shift gears at 3.75k on the tachometer and red-line is at 5k. And I very seldom tow anything though I do keep a lot of stuff in the back.
I live near Seattle, but far enough in the mountains that temps of 20-30F in the morning when I leave are common enough in the winter, and probably 50-60 in the summer.
Does going with a thinner grade seem reasonable given my driving conditions, or should I stick with 5W-30?
It's a 2.4L manual transmission if that makes any difference.
Any thoughts or opinions much appreciated.
Thanks,