0W-20 Synthetic Oil
 

My 2010 Camry with the 2.5L engine calls for 0W-20 oil. When I had my first oil change done at the dealer, they put in regular 5W-20 oil, which is what they (the dealer) recommended. When I got home, I called three other Toyota Service Departments, and found they all use regular 5W-20 instead of the 0W-20 synthetic, mainly for cost reasons, even though Toyota still recommends 0W-20. I plan I changing my own oil after the first four changes, but I can't find 0W-20 oil in any discount stores.
Has anyone heard of any problems being caused by using regular 5W-20 oil in these new engines? Charles Ranheim.

This does not seem to be uncommon.

The 0W-20 may only be available in synthetic.

Would have more of an issue with using regular oil versus a synthetic then using a 5W-20 over a 0W-20. Synthetic oil has been proven to increase engine life.

0W-20 oils may increase mileage a little (great for CAFE numbers) and have better cold starting flow.

There is not much difference in these two weights of oil until air temps drop into the below 0F range.

You may need to obtain hunt around for the 0W-20 oil or shop at an auto parts store. This oil is out there but automakers have only recently started recommending it thus discount stores may not stock it.

Suggest even if using a synthetic oil to not extend the oil change mileage period.

There is not much difference between a 0W and a 5W at the low end but 0W would be the better choice in a really cold climate. Wally World has 0-30 Mobil One for about 23 bucks for 5 quarts but perhaps only in the northern stores. I have 0W-30 in my 98 I 4 and it cranks well even in extreme cold. I left it in 'till May last year and drove to Washington, where it was quite warm, and back. It used no oil. 0-30 was not mentioned in the manual back in 98, but oil has improved, while the manual is stuck back in 1998. I would like to get an "official opinion" from Toyota regarding the dealer practice of using other than the factory specified oil to save a few bucks. If it is OK with Toyota, then why bother with a spec in the manual at all?