1. Welcome to 4Runners.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Why is Puerto Rico able to use 15W-40?

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by 1776taco, Mar 12, 2021.

  1. Jun 21, 2021 at 6:53 PM
    #121
    SlvrSlug

    SlvrSlug Slightly bent.

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2018
    Member:
    #6172
    Messages:
    7,542
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Ramona Ca.
    Vehicle:
    2017 4-Runner SR-5 P. Kings, Built Right uca’s, Durabumps, RSG sliders
    I have been running 5w-30 for awhile, and like what I don’t hear. I live in a warm climate area, and think this works best for me. Been running Mobil 1 since the 70’s in most of my vehicles in the 5w-30 variety with no problems. Moved to Colo. for 11 yrs and ran 0w-20 for cold starting freezing operating conditions. This is just my little story, and I’m sticking to it. Peace.
     
  2. Jun 21, 2021 at 7:34 PM
    #122
    auspilot

    auspilot Old Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2020
    Member:
    #18236
    Messages:
    139
    Gender:
    Male
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD OR
    Dobs IMS, lots of small stuff
    It's reasonable to assume that 0W-20 is the primary recommendation to achieve slightly better fuel economy. I will say, however, that the owner's manual for my 2020 has removed any reference to oil unique to Puerto Rico (even though PR is still mentioned in regards to other things). Also, it's not unreasonable to think that engine tolerances have been adjusted and tightened as continuous improvement has been implemented in manufacturing over the years. Or have been implemented as specified engineering adjustments. So the engine of 2020 may not be identical to the engine of 2010.
     
    Singleminded and Thatbassguy like this.
  3. Jun 22, 2021 at 4:38 AM
    #123
    DGP1961

    DGP1961 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2018
    Member:
    #7154
    Messages:
    983
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5 Premium
    Well ok I'll respectfully disagree on this one... :yes: I guess the moral of the story is everyone needs to run what their comfortable with. And yeah I totally agree with running "thicker" in Florida, Arizona, etc... However I don't live there so I don't do it.
     
    Singleminded likes this.
  4. Jun 22, 2021 at 7:48 AM
    #124
    08TXRunner

    08TXRunner New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2020
    Member:
    #13179
    Messages:
    929
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    '20 SR5P
    Electro and Single:
    I'll take one more stab at this. You're conflating two different ideas. Everyone understands that the 0-20 recommendation is for CAFE. What I'm addressing is that there's this belief you can simply dump much thinner oil in an engine that was originally designed for a thicker oil and call it a day without addressing bearing clearances, oil pressure vs. rpm, etc. What you can do is revise bearing specs for 0-20 and then allow high temp locations to use a thicker oil because you don't run into cold flow problems. Hence, the "Puerto Rico" notation.
     
    Singleminded likes this.
  5. Jun 22, 2021 at 8:35 AM
    #125
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2019
    Member:
    #9314
    Messages:
    12,411
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    James
    S/E Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRDORP, KDSS, MGM
    RSG sliders, Yakima offgrid basket, Pro-Comp wheels, SOS Streamline bumper and skids, Warn VR EVO10S winch + Ultimate Sidewinder, Bilstein 6112 + 5100 + rear lift coils, Rigid Dually SS ditch lights w/Caliraised brackets and OEM style dash switch
    I'm on board with your post except for this part. I believe the only reason that information is specific to Puerto Rico is because they don't have the fuel economy regulations we do, not because it's hot there. If it was really about ambient air temperature, it should apply to everywhere the vehicle is sold.

    I don't disagree that the 1GR has changed mechanically, as it went from single VVT-I to dual VVT-I at some point.
     
    Last edited: Jun 22, 2021
    Singleminded likes this.
  6. Jun 22, 2021 at 8:58 AM
    #126
    SlvrSlug

    SlvrSlug Slightly bent.

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2018
    Member:
    #6172
    Messages:
    7,542
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Ramona Ca.
    Vehicle:
    2017 4-Runner SR-5 P. Kings, Built Right uca’s, Durabumps, RSG sliders
    500599F8-3703-40B6-BA60-44CDAC3B78B0.jpg
     
  7. Jun 22, 2021 at 9:16 AM
    #127
    captrussia253

    captrussia253 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2020
    Member:
    #15320
    Messages:
    518
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ruslan
    PNW
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tundra Platinum 2016 T4R SR5P
    I run a 20w50 winter and 0w16 summer and everything works fine.
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  8. Jun 22, 2021 at 10:20 AM
    #128
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2019
    Member:
    #9314
    Messages:
    12,411
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    James
    S/E Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRDORP, KDSS, MGM
    RSG sliders, Yakima offgrid basket, Pro-Comp wheels, SOS Streamline bumper and skids, Warn VR EVO10S winch + Ultimate Sidewinder, Bilstein 6112 + 5100 + rear lift coils, Rigid Dually SS ditch lights w/Caliraised brackets and OEM style dash switch

    Right, but that's for Puerto Rico. It gets hot in the US, too.

    Edit: my only point is that the different recommendation for Puerto Rico is due to political BS, not climate related. Otherwise we would all use the same chart.
     
    captrussia253 and Singleminded like this.
  9. Jun 22, 2021 at 10:44 AM
    #129
    ElectroBoy

    ElectroBoy Ad astra

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2020
    Member:
    #15823
    Messages:
    1,938
    Gender:
    Male
    Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2018 ORP
    I’m sure if you ran this by the “tribology” experts on BITOG they’d heartily agree. :rofl:
     
    08TXRunner likes this.
  10. Jun 22, 2021 at 11:09 AM
    #130
    whippersnapper02

    whippersnapper02 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2019
    Member:
    #8982
    Messages:
    2,041
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Christian
    Vehicle:
    2019 4Runner TRD Offroad Premium
    I've seen this before across different car communities, why does it matter what other countries or areas run?
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  11. Jun 22, 2021 at 11:10 AM
    #131
    captrussia253

    captrussia253 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2020
    Member:
    #15320
    Messages:
    518
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ruslan
    PNW
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tundra Platinum 2016 T4R SR5P
    Haha I hope everyone knows I’m kidding
     
  12. Jun 22, 2021 at 11:38 AM
    #132
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2019
    Member:
    #9314
    Messages:
    12,411
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    James
    S/E Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRDORP, KDSS, MGM
    RSG sliders, Yakima offgrid basket, Pro-Comp wheels, SOS Streamline bumper and skids, Warn VR EVO10S winch + Ultimate Sidewinder, Bilstein 6112 + 5100 + rear lift coils, Rigid Dually SS ditch lights w/Caliraised brackets and OEM style dash switch
    It doesn't. It's more a question of why it's different. I think we're all agreed that it's due to CAFE fuel economy regulations. Then one might wonder if the 0W-20 will protect the engine as well as 5W-30 over the course of a few hundred thousand miles.

    It's just something to discuss and debate. These thing have so few mechanical issues that we need to find other things to talk about. :D
     
  13. Jun 22, 2021 at 12:17 PM
    #133
    ElectroBoy

    ElectroBoy Ad astra

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2020
    Member:
    #15823
    Messages:
    1,938
    Gender:
    Male
    Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2018 ORP
    Yeah, people have been debating for years if thinner 20 weight oil will cause harm to engines that were designed when 30 weight was more or less the standard. Since the real experts at oil companies and auto manufacturers are silent on the issue, this and other forums keep guessing and going in circles.

    One common thread I’ve seen is that the real automotive engineers or engine builders will tear down an engine and take measurements to get true wear damage results. Used oil analysis is useless to them.
     
  14. Jun 22, 2021 at 12:32 PM
    #134
    2016Pro

    2016Pro Why all of the Pro hate?

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2018
    Member:
    #7739
    Messages:
    1,462
  15. Jun 22, 2021 at 12:44 PM
    #135
    whippersnapper02

    whippersnapper02 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2019
    Member:
    #8982
    Messages:
    2,041
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Christian
    Vehicle:
    2019 4Runner TRD Offroad Premium
    So that settles it. I'm tearing the engine down and inspecting/measuring the bearings at each oil change.
     
  16. Jun 22, 2021 at 1:45 PM
    #136
    Spare Parts

    Spare Parts New Member

    Joined:
    May 13, 2020
    Member:
    #14274
    Messages:
    2,316
    Gender:
    Male
    Southern Maine
    Vehicle:
    22 LR ORP
    Sherpa Crestone. 4X Innovations Sliders
    94A6F340-BB30-4DF4-AE2A-4B7FB18006B4.jpg
     
  17. Jun 22, 2021 at 2:16 PM
    #137
    SR5 Limited

    SR5 Limited New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2018
    Member:
    #7180
    Messages:
    12,083
    Vehicle:
    1996 SR5 Limited
    I’m going to San Juan.
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  18. Jun 22, 2021 at 2:19 PM
    #138
    SlvrSlug

    SlvrSlug Slightly bent.

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2018
    Member:
    #6172
    Messages:
    7,542
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Ramona Ca.
    Vehicle:
    2017 4-Runner SR-5 P. Kings, Built Right uca’s, Durabumps, RSG sliders
    I went to TJ a couple times.
     
    Thatbassguy and Moon Landing like this.
  19. Jun 22, 2021 at 3:35 PM
    #139
    Moon Landing

    Moon Landing AFFTC 1967/68 Eddies Air Patch

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2021
    Member:
    #19563
    Messages:
    2,171
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jer
    La Quinta, Ca. AKA "The Skillet"
    Vehicle:
    Moon Rock 4Runner
    Nam 68/69
  20. Jun 22, 2021 at 10:21 PM
    #140
    ElectroBoy

    ElectroBoy Ad astra

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2020
    Member:
    #15823
    Messages:
    1,938
    Gender:
    Male
    Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2018 ORP
    According to the video by going from the 5W-30 to the 0W-20 you will get an increase in fuel efficiency of 0.5% at best.

    Let’s see. 20 MPG x 0.005 = 0.1 MPG.
    wow
    368F2069-4A1D-4409-A178-312D067403BE.jpg
     
    captrussia253 and Thatbassguy like this.
  21. Jun 23, 2021 at 4:38 AM
    #141
    VentureTRD

    VentureTRD New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2021
    Member:
    #21811
    Messages:
    207
    Gender:
    Male
    Blowing Rock, North Carolina
    Vehicle:
    2021 TRD Venture Nautical Blue Metallic
    Goodyear DuraTrac Tires P265/70R17 AEM Air Filter TRD Radiator Cap TRD Pro Leather Shift Knob TRD Pro Rubber Floor Mats Agency 6 Recovery Shackle Lamin-x Amber Fog Light Covers Red LED Interior Lights LasFit LED Turn Signals
    I talked to my Toyota Service Manager about using 5W30 in a new 4Runner. He stated that ToyotaCare/ToyotaGuard would only reimburse them for 0W20, but of course I was free use Mobil 1 5W30 if I brought it in (works out to about $32/oil change if you buy it in 5 Gallon Jugs at Wallys).

    I live at about the same latitude as Cape Town, South Africa (N / S), so I plan on following Toyota's recommended oil viscosity for South Africa, which is not CAFE regulated.

    Screen Shot 2021-06-23 at 07.31.16.png

    From Toyota 2020 FJ Cruiser South Africa Owners Manual

    "President Obama on May 21, 2010, NHTSA and EPA have issued joint Final Rules for Corporate Average Fuel Economy and Greenhouse Gas emissions regulations for passenger cars and light trucks built in model years 2017 and beyond, and have also developed fuel efficiency and GHG emissions regulations for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles built in model years 2014 through 2018. 54.5 mpg is the target automakers are supposed to meet by 2025."
     
    Last edited: Jun 23, 2021
    ElectroBoy likes this.
  22. Jun 23, 2021 at 6:30 AM
    #142
    DGP1961

    DGP1961 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2018
    Member:
    #7154
    Messages:
    983
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5 Premium
    Bottom line the video states "always, always, always use your recommended oil viscosity" Again most way over think oil...
     
    Spare Parts and Thatbassguy like this.
  23. Jun 23, 2021 at 11:33 AM
    #143
    2016Pro

    2016Pro Why all of the Pro hate?

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2018
    Member:
    #7739
    Messages:
    1,462
    Go to wally world and buy their super tech synthetic. Just as good as any other synthetic
     
    Thatbassguy and captrussia253 like this.
  24. Jun 23, 2021 at 12:00 PM
    #144
    captrussia253

    captrussia253 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2020
    Member:
    #15320
    Messages:
    518
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ruslan
    PNW
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tundra Platinum 2016 T4R SR5P
    I go for the Costco full synthetic 5w30 2-5qt jugs for $22.
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  25. Jun 23, 2021 at 12:03 PM
    #145
    2016Pro

    2016Pro Why all of the Pro hate?

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2018
    Member:
    #7739
    Messages:
    1,462
    Nice I always forget about Costco. I need to get some next time I go.
     
  26. Jun 23, 2021 at 12:14 PM
    #146
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2019
    Member:
    #9314
    Messages:
    12,411
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    James
    S/E Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRDORP, KDSS, MGM
    RSG sliders, Yakima offgrid basket, Pro-Comp wheels, SOS Streamline bumper and skids, Warn VR EVO10S winch + Ultimate Sidewinder, Bilstein 6112 + 5100 + rear lift coils, Rigid Dually SS ditch lights w/Caliraised brackets and OEM style dash switch
    Agreed! The 4Runner seems to like the SuperTech just as much as any other oil.
     
  27. Jun 23, 2021 at 12:45 PM
    #147
    2016Pro

    2016Pro Why all of the Pro hate?

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2018
    Member:
    #7739
    Messages:
    1,462
    I don't think the 4runners know what brand is on the bottle.
     
  28. Jun 23, 2021 at 2:07 PM
    #148
    ElectroBoy

    ElectroBoy Ad astra

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2020
    Member:
    #15823
    Messages:
    1,938
    Gender:
    Male
    Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2018 ORP
    Generally that’s good advice.
    But it’s like telling people on this forum to never, ever install anything but stock sized tires, modify your suspension, or mess with adding anything to your electrical system.
     
    SlvrSlug, Thatbassguy and 08TXRunner like this.
  29. Jun 23, 2021 at 2:12 PM
    #149
    lowflyer

    lowflyer New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2021
    Member:
    #19819
    Messages:
    153
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2023 TRD ORP w/ KDSS <2021 Venture w/o KDSS <line of Tundras
    It may be that any difference in oil recommendations for Puerto Rico versus the mainland may be due to the likelihood that people in PR are not likely to drive to the mainland, so their vehicles will remain in PR heat. People living in similarly hot areas of the mainland are quite likely to drive to colder areas of the US. and may therefore benefit from different oil recommendations.
     
  30. Jun 25, 2021 at 12:21 PM
    #150
    VentureTRD

    VentureTRD New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2021
    Member:
    #21811
    Messages:
    207
    Gender:
    Male
    Blowing Rock, North Carolina
    Vehicle:
    2021 TRD Venture Nautical Blue Metallic
    Goodyear DuraTrac Tires P265/70R17 AEM Air Filter TRD Radiator Cap TRD Pro Leather Shift Knob TRD Pro Rubber Floor Mats Agency 6 Recovery Shackle Lamin-x Amber Fog Light Covers Red LED Interior Lights LasFit LED Turn Signals
    http://ultimatesyntheticoil.com/ford-5w20

    That's a Great Article and it makes a lot of sense!

    Question: My owners manual species 5W-20 oil. Do I really need to use 5W-20 oil and why did my 2000 model year vehicle require a 5W-30 oil, while the exact same engine in my 2001, 2002 and newer engines “requires” a 5W-20 oil?

    Answer: You do NOT need to use a 5W-20 oil. In fact, we recommend that you DO NOT. We know that even OEM Lubrication Engineers do not agree with Ford and Honda’s calling for a 5W-20 oil, because the engines are designed for 30-weight oil, and engineers believe that a 20-weight oil will decrease engine life.

    I used to sell Amsoil back in 1982 (used it in my 1982 RX-7), back when people said using synthetic oil would destroy your engine.

    My dealer said they can only provide free oil changes of the oil viscosity listed on the oil filler cap. Mine now says SAE 5W30 (12180-0H012). See if anyone notices. ;)
     
    Last edited: Jun 25, 2021
    7Runner, ElectroBoy and captrussia253 like this.

Products Discussed in

To Top