I'm sure you guys are already aware of the oil consumption in the '07-'09 Camry's with the 2.4 engines. Mine has this issue & the previous owner never took it in for the warranty work. He never mentioned it to me that he did or if he received the notice. Anyways, I have talked to Toyota and I am past the dates to get the pistons & rings replaced under warranty.
So my question is, is it ok to use 5W-30 n place of 5W-20? I have read other posts/forums on the subject & most people say that it is ok. I am in a suberb outside of Phoenix, so it never gets too cold here for extended periods of time. I love the car, so I really don't want to get rid of it, if I don't have to.
Any other ideas to slow the oil issue down? I'm currently using 5W-20 Mobil 1 Extended Performance synthetic. The car has ~90K miles.

Thanks,
Chris

 

The 5W-20 was specified to improve MPG.

5W-30 should be fine. Good for below -18F.

There is also a 5W-40.

 

You think 5w-40 is ok? Not too thick for the 2.4?

 

Can you specify the oil consumption ?

 

We have driven it to San Diego from Queen Creek a couple of times. One way is about 400 mles. I put in 1/2qt each way. Right now my daughter is using it. She drives approx. 60 mles/ day for work. That comes out to 300 miles a week. It seems like every time I check it, I need to add 1/2 quart. I check it at least once a week.
so a quart every 600 to 800 miles it seems.

 

53burb, thanks for the response.

Was wondering how the emissions/ fuel sensors/cat/cat sensors is handling the oil consumption?
No check engine light due to this problem?
May be the 60 miles driven each day is keeping the engine/emissions clean enough and all you need to do is add oil.

Let us know how going to a thicker oil works out.

 

Don't think 5W-40 will hurt the engine. The issue what are you trying to accomplish?

Try 5W-30 first.

There are several class action lawsuits about the oil consumption. At least one addressed the Toyota warranty as being inadequate. Suggest checking up on these lawsuits.

Check the engine PCV system which if not working properly can cause oil consumption.

 

I replaced the PCV valve a couple of weeks ago. That didn't help. The previous one wasn't clogged. I just want to use less oil. I'll try the 5w-30 first, but it will probably be a few months before I do a full oil change with it tho.

 

Yes, one should expect better from Toyota.

If not already doing so, suggest reviewing the VERY long thread on the issue of this engines oil consumption at the link below.

THE OFFICIAL 2002-2009 Camry 2.4 Liter 2AZFE/2AZFXE (Hybrid) Oil Consumption Thread - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

For now suggest keeping CLOSE tabs on the oil level. It has happened more then once! The engine ran out oil between oil changes and was wrecked. The owners unaware of just how much oil the engine was using, which was VERY excessive.

The engine should last a long time, if the oil level is kept up.

 

I changed the oil/filter yesterday with Mobil 1 Extended Performance synthetic 5W-30 & Extended Performance oil filter. It has 89,772 miles at time of change. I will keep accurate results this time.