I am seriously considering using 0W20 year round.
Those who use 0W20, do you live in the northern part of North America?
Do you notice a difference in FE?

 

0W-20 Mobile One synthetic.

Yes and Yes ... but not quantified, however I do notice that range has not decreased much (about 30 miles per tank) during the winter. Others have posted much greater differences on this forum.

However, my TCH is normally garaged, so I start my morning commute with warmer oil than some. It also has a tank heater that I use with a timer when up skiing or when the car is out somewhere overnight (if possilble).

 

I can't really compare it to 5W20, because I've never used it, but I was under the assumption that using 0W20 would lead to easier starting- which should actually increase FE. Winter FE sucks anyway- so it would be hard to judge whether it was from the oil or just normal temperature variations.

 

I could only find 0W-20 full synthetic from my local toyota dealer. We have 5 auto parts stores here in town plus a Super Walmart. None had the 0W oil. Walmart had it but that was a few months before I bought the TCH. I read some of the other car manufactures may have more hybrids on the road in 2009/10. That might bring the 0W back to the auto stores.

Try calling your local Toyota dealer parts department and ask. The toyota brand I bought came only in quart containers. The price was about the same as Mobil One. I noticed my engine was a little quieter when I switched to the synthetic. I bought 5 quarts. The engine takes about 4 1/4 quarts. I saved the remainder in the trunk in case I needed to add any.

It was the Toyota Tech at the dealership that had been to the hybrid school. He was the one that recommended me changing to the 0W at my first oil change. He mentioned it gets oil up into the valvetrain quicker than other oils. That sounded good enough for me.

 

Yes and Yes. Same as FastMover, I cannot give you a number. A few mpg maybe?

My car sits outside year-round.

At this point I would use nothing other than Mobile 1 0w-20.

 

I always use 0w20 Toyota Synthetic even here in Florida. Not sure, but I think somebody on here way back stated that it is rebranded for Toyota by Mobil. Maybe somebody could comfirm that.

Only problem the dealer will put in 10w30 unless you specify it. Then he is not sure if the carry 0w20 and has to ask.

 

I haven't had my first oil change yet. What does the factory use in its new cars?

 

5w-20 year round. It's what the dealer has for "normal" oil. My TCH is garaged and temps in San Diego rarely get below 40F. This morning was cold, 43F. Last week the lows were in the 50s.

I'm sure 0w-20 would get a tiny bit better gas mileage, and possibly get to the valve train a bit faster. I may try it once to see if I can tell any difference. Has anyone compared the two oils (5w-20 vs 0w-20) to see if their summer MPG changes enough to notice?

 

I was told by the toyota service department that the break-in oil was 5w-20 dino oil. I still switched to 0w-20 full synthetic at my first oil change to protect the valve train during cold startups. I got slightly over 1 mpg increase in mpg after the change.

I ask the toyota certified tech about running 0w-20 year round. He said thats not a problem. The 0 works when the engine is cold. Once warmed up it's running on the higher number of the oil.

The temperature here in the New Mexico desert Summers gets up to 105 degrees. The man said it should just run fine, even in the heat.

Synthetic generally has a much higher film strength than conventional oil.

I read from a Amsoil site that their 0w-20 will pour down to -65 degrees and will protect the engine up to 475 degrees.

 

I doubt that my car will ever be exposed to -65 even in Chicago!

What kind of price should be expected for a dealer oil change with the synthetic 0w-20?