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using different oil

SmallVan-MiniVan

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Mar 20, 2025
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im not a mechanic but i know oil thickness and the recommended 0-16 for my siena is water with a bit of color in it so as im approaching my next service interval i wanted to ask if someone used 0-20 and is the car working fine?
 
Yeah, plenty of people run 0w-20 instead of 0w-16, and the car works fine. Toyota specs 0w-16 for fuel economy, but 0w-20 still protects well. If you're still under warranty, maybe stick with 0w-16, but otherwise, you should be good. or you're not Just a fan of how thin it is?
 
I keep reading this ever since I got my sienna and many people go for this upgrade, okay i get that. What I don't get is why? Sure, the tickeness is the main reason, but I doubt Toyota would shoot themselves in the foot over some thinner oil or something like that.
 
Using 0W-20 oil instead of 0W-16 in your Sienna is generally fine and no problem at all, as many engines run well on 0W-20 without issues.
 
im not a mechanic but i know oil thickness and the recommended 0-16 for my siena is water with a bit of color in it so as im approaching my next service interval i wanted to ask if someone used 0-20 and is the car working fine?
haven't personally tried 0W-20 but like what they say, moving one step up in viscosity is often tolerated without major issues. though i think it's always a bit of a gamble as the engine is specifically engineered for the 0W-16 for optimal fuel efficiency and emissions. curious to know if you noticed any dip in your MPG? what kind of mileage do you have on your sienna?
 
Mechanic unc says it can work fine as long as the car isnt under heavy stress or extreme temperatures. It's always safest to stick to what the manual says, but if others have used 0W-20 without issues, it might be okay for everyday driving. Just keep an eye on how the engine feels after switching.
 
Yep, I actually used 0W-20 oil in a friend's '21 Sienna for a few changes just to see what would happen. There were no strange noises, the temperatures were steady, and I didn't notice any drop in fuel efficiency. It's worth mentioning that it's a bit thicker when it's at operating temp, so it should be fine unless you're in really cold weather or trying to squeeze out every drop of mileage. It's always a good idea to pay attention to how your engine sounds after making a change like that.
 
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