Toyota would not object if you used WD-40 in the engine because they would not be responsible for the damage caused by the use of products not specified by them, either in-warranty or after the warranty has expired.
Believe it or not, the folks who designed your Toyota are very knowledgeable about not only the vehicles they designed, but also their proper care, maintenance, and the products used in their care and maintenance. They are aware of the products currently on the market, and they are more knowledgeable than physicians and self-proclaimed automotive experts who think that they know more about Toyotas than Toyota.
My experience with Toyotas goes back to 1978, and I've found that if you follow their maintenance recommendations, the car will last plenty long without having to try to outguess what their engineers have already studied.
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M
Mark A
My thinking is that I would use the viscosity that the manufacturer recommends, which is this case is 5W-30. If you think Toyota is old fashioned, that is your business, but other people should be very wary of listening to your advice.
B
Built_Well
Well, Ray O, I thank you for the advice, but I think you're being a little too tough on the newer 0w-30 oils.
It was funny, though, to read the WD-40 remark :-)
R
Ray O
I have no problem with the newer 0W-30 oils, and there are automakers that specify it (the Ford Focus comes to mind) because the engine design calls for it. If the automaker specifies 0W-30, then that is the stuff to use.
The problem I have is that anyone who has not designed or extensively studied the specific engine and emissions control system could think that they know more about what is good for that engine than the people who actually designed that engine. For example, does that person actually know (as opposed to believe or assume) from long term tests and disassembly of long-term test samples of the particular engine application that the oil that they are recommending actually improves the life of the engine or improves fuel economy WITHOUT a negative effect on MAF or MAP sensors, catalytic converter, oil consumption, O2 and AF sensors, and throttle plate? What is the effect on oil pressure and volume at startup low and high RPM and at operating temperature low and high RPM? How will the oil control rings, crankshaft bearings, connecting rod bearings, and wrist pins handle the out-of-spec viscosity? What is the effect on the heat dissipation characteristics of the oil on the engine? Is it possible for the 0 weight oil to flow too quickly and not lubricate adequately?
0-W30 oil was already available on the market when your engine was designed, yet the folks who engineered and designed your engine from the ground up and who know what lubricants are available on the market chose to specify a different oil. My guess is that they chose the specific viscosity range that they did for a reason, even though 0W-30 was already on the market.
Even though I only have about 30 years experience working with Toyotas, I learned that the folks who designed their powertrains have a pretty good track record of coming up with products that last a long time. Rather than gamble, guess, speculate, or believe someone who has never designed a Toyota engine (or any engine for that matter) and hope that I will not have to replace a very expensive engine, catalytic converter, or other part, I think I'll just listen to what the folks who actually do know recommend.
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