Yesterday I was over my brothers house and he had just finished changing his oil in his 07 V6 Toyota Tacoma truck and realized he had bought and installed the wrong weight oil it was Valvoline Synpower 20w50 other then the 5w30 weight oil. He says the bottles looked the same and picked up the wrong stuff. He started it and it ran fine but should he change it out? Can running this heavy weight oil cause and damage?
Oil change mistake! Change or not?
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Well, now that it's been warm, I wouldn't worry about it.
The Toy's are big in the land down under and that's a common weight for them. Your bro might experience a slight drop in mileage, but other than that it's fine. It might even be a little more quiet/smooth.
The Toy's are big in the land down under and that's a common weight for them. Your bro might experience a slight drop in mileage, but other than that it's fine. It might even be a little more quiet/smooth.
It will cause the accelerator to stick, so you won't have to worry about it.
Seriously, I would dump it.
Seriously, I would dump it.
At least it's summertime. That's a tough call, I'd be tempted to just leave it but would probably change it out. Not sure how well it runs, but the cost of the new jug of oil might be covered by the increase in fuel economy from 20-50 to 5-30.
It is a bit on the thick side. I would be inclined to drain off a couple quarts (clean the drain and save them for next oil change) and replace with two quarts of thin oil, like 5w20. That would give you roughly a 10/15 w 30 blend. But so long as you don't have cold starts say below freezing temps, it is not a worry.
Biggest oil change mistake is changing oil way too soon.
Biggest oil change mistake is changing oil way too soon.
I dont know much about that engine in particular. In most vehicles it wont hurt it being summer is here. Some newer vehicles that spec lower viscosity oils such as xw20, have oil pumps that have a higher flow rate to insure proper oil pressure under all conditions. Having a thicker oil in there may cause the filter to go into bypass more often or something. Personally i dont think it would hurt it and i would not dump the synpower. I dont really think it will hurt it for one run. There is a guy on this post that runs M1 15w50 in everything of his and all his family's stuff for a long time. Plenty of people run dino 15w40 in everything they own and have great reliability. So although i dont think it may be the best choice, i dont think it woiuld hurt. Like i said i dont know anything about that particular engine so maybe someone will have a better answer. Truth be told, most engines will last a long long time with just about any current oil.
I agree, either do a partial drain and top up with a 5W20 or just change it all out. As TallPaul said use a clean container save the oil for top ups or use it a little at a time for future OC's.
Is that '07 still under warranty?
No problem. Tolerances are not a problem. Too thin is a problem. Hav him check his fuel mileage, I bet there is little or no change. Higher viscosity oil can affect the leakdown rate of hydraulic lifters and VVT operation - but would just trade some low rpm torque with much increase high rpm torque.
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I'd leave it, I've run 20W50 in my tracker with no problems in the summer. Like others have said, 20W50 is common to run in warmer climates in the same engines we have here.
Will he remember to change it in the fall regardless of mileage?
Will he remember to change it in the fall regardless of mileage?
07 is pretty new to be running such a thick oil. If it were me,I would change it out. (but thats just me) other people may not want to waste the oil.
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
No problem. Tolerances are not a problem. Too thin is a problem. Hav him check his fuel mileage, I bet there is little or no change. Higher viscosity oil can affect the leakdown rate of hydraulic lifters and VVT operation - but would just trade some low rpm torque with much increase high rpm torque.
Why would the 20w50 affect the leakdown of the lifters. It would leak down slower with the 20w50, which is a good thing right?
No problem. Tolerances are not a problem. Too thin is a problem. Hav him check his fuel mileage, I bet there is little or no change. Higher viscosity oil can affect the leakdown rate of hydraulic lifters and VVT operation - but would just trade some low rpm torque with much increase high rpm torque.
Why would the 20w50 affect the leakdown of the lifters. It would leak down slower with the 20w50, which is a good thing right?
For crying out loud were talking about 25 bucks worth of oil, drain the sump ,replace with the 5w30 and dont worry about what was left in the filter, why run 2 grades thicker than recommended in such a new truck.
probably would not hurt a thing but why run it when you can drain and fill in 10 minutes
probably would not hurt a thing but why run it when you can drain and fill in 10 minutes
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Only thing that might happen is that the 20W50 will create a nice thick oil film on all the internals causing your engine to last forever no matter how hard you drive it :^) I`d use the Synpower 20W50 in a heartbeat if I could get a good price on it. You better drain it out and send it to me ASAP!
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Originally Posted By: bradepb
For crying out loud were talking about 25 bucks worth of oil, drain the sump ,replace with the 5w30 and dont worry about what was left in the filter, why run 2 grades thicker than recommended in such a new truck.
probably would not hurt a thing but why run it when you can drain and fill in 10 minutes
I agree. Pretty stupid and cheap to not drain the 50 weight oil and pour in the correct weight oil. It is a no brainer to change out the oil... Why take the chance on ruining your engine? Blowing out a gasket? Etc...
For crying out loud were talking about 25 bucks worth of oil, drain the sump ,replace with the 5w30 and dont worry about what was left in the filter, why run 2 grades thicker than recommended in such a new truck.
probably would not hurt a thing but why run it when you can drain and fill in 10 minutes
I agree. Pretty stupid and cheap to not drain the 50 weight oil and pour in the correct weight oil. It is a no brainer to change out the oil... Why take the chance on ruining your engine? Blowing out a gasket? Etc...
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My vote goes to let it in there. I met a few folks that all they will use is 20w50 and their cars and vans get a bazillion miles with no problems. Really this oil viscosity thing is like splitting hairs, it has such little relationship in the real world. Way too many people look at it on paper(engineers) and make these microscope study papers, but in the real world, it wont make hardly any(possibly better) difference. Like one gentleman said, everyone else in other countries is running thicker oils, in the same engines. United States-EPA regulations. Feed them what they want to hear and they leave you alone-Somewhat.
Might loose some performance too with that viscosity oil.
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