Best oil for your camry....

I have not posted much here but I have seen a few posts about the best oil for cars. You cannot go wrong with conventional oils in the recommended weight. The only two reasons I can think of that synthetics would fall under is very cold climates for more startup protection or extended oil change intervals. There is no question synthetics flow in cold temps at startup than conventional. Very cold being something below say -10F. Conventional oil can also be ran on 5000 mile intervals today. Oils are better and motors are easier on oil than they were many years ago. Now, if you want to stretch your intervals out to like 8000 miles then synthetic is something to think about. Synthetics do not sheer and break down as fast as conventional. That does not mean they protect any better. They just last longer. If you are under warranty always do the recommended interval no matter what though. There is a great forum you can read that guys share info on all kinds of lubricants. Some of the guys a very sharp and have done many tests and analysis on lubricants, filters, and other things. Enough reading on here and most will start leaning towards conventional as well. Don't get me wrong. Synthetics do have their place. Go to http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/ and make sure you check out the forums as well. Hope this helps some that have questions about synthetic and conventional oils.

On my 08 Camry 4 cylinder the owners manual and the oil cap call for 5w20 or 0w20 for cold weather . I am in sunny So. Cal.  3 toyota dealerships  , 2 of which are service managers ,  recommend 5w30 over 5w20 . After reviewing Bobs the Oil Guy and this forum it seems that 5w20 is better for economy (C.A.F.E.) and 5w30 is better for wear . I chose 5w30 Pennzoil Platinum. Any idea what others are using in there 4 cylinder Camrys?
 
 

5w30 I'm sure is fine but I don't think there is anything wrong with 5w20. It's considered new and many are reluctant to change. It has been around for a while now. There is cars out there with plenty of miles on them and using 5w20. There is no question that a 30w is going to have better film strength and coat better than a 20w. Keep in mind even though your thicker oil coats better you lose flow over the thinner 20w. Either is going to flow like a 5w at startup so I see no difference at startup. Dealers are pushing 5w30 often because that's what they stock in bulk. Nothing wrong with that but just because they say it doesn't make it gospel. Again, 5w30 would be fine I think. Many are getting stellar results using 5w20 allthough. 

Oh, I am in north Texas. Our winters are very mild and summers are scorching. I am running 5w20 and have been very happy with it.

Well for the 5S and 1MZ,  I THINK these engines were basically given a faulty engine temp guage because the heat is so high; that conventional oil breaks down and turns into sludge. Yes, these engines are all prone to sludge.
 
After finding that out; - i switched over to synthetic oil. Its not much more than a regular oil change and it preserves my engine by protecting it from sludge since synthetic oils have a higher heat tolerance than conventional.
 
So.. i say synthetics- i'd mention what im using but it'd sound like a sales pitch. LOL.

That is a valid point about heat. Turbos generate more heat and have the coking effect is why synthetic is recommended. The sludge issue I thought had been resolved at Toyota. After all the trouble they have had I cannot believe they wouldn't have addressed it. This is the type thing that could really bite them in the tail if not addressed. If synthetic oil gives you warm fuzzies then by all means use it. I just think one should research the differences before spending the money because one person said one oil is bettter than another. There is no question synthetic oil has its place. There is cars out there that require synthetic. I'm sure there is a good reason for that as well.

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ORIGINAL: tsmay51

That is a valid point about heat. Turbos generate more heat and have the coking effect is why synthetic is recommended. The sludge issue I thought had been resolved at Toyota. After all the trouble they have had I cannot believe they wouldn't have addressed it. This is the type thing that could really bite them in the tail if not addressed. If synthetic oil gives you warm fuzzies then by all means use it. I just think one should research the differences before spending the money because one person said one oil is bettter than another. There is no question synthetic oil has its place. There is cars out there that require synthetic. I'm sure there is a good reason for that as well.

 
damn right. Im a poor college student so - i'd rather get the extra protection for my engine for an extra $8 per oil change w/synthetic. At least this way- i know that im not gonna be down with a diagnosis of "engine sludge" "must change engine" it'll cost "5,700" - LOL