Toyota Tundra Discussion Forum banner

0w-20 vs 0w30

25842 Views 70 Replies 23 Participants Last post by  ColoradoTJ
This is not a motor oil question or review, just an experience. I took my truck to the dealer last saturday for them to change my oil (first mistake). I bought 2 gallons of amsoil ss 0w-30, knowing our truck takes 7.9quarts. 1 gallon equals 4 quarts, so 8 quarts of oil and an amsoil filter. The dealer calls me back and states that I have the wrong kind of oil, the truck takes 0w-20. I tell them that I know, and that I want to use 0w-30 because I tow. The dealer then tells me that the 0w-30 may cause a check engine light!!! I told her she was full of it and go ahead and change it.
Two hours later, they call me back and the truck is ready, but it is a quart low on oil! I hit the roof! After much deliberation about their intelligence, I speak with the tech, and he claims that the amsoil fiter is larger than the toyota filter.? When I check the oil, of course it is not a quart low, just a hair below the full line.

Anyway, I wanted to let anyone know who is on the fence about using 0w-20 or 0w-30 There is no check engine light that warns you have the wrong oil, and that the truck is VASTLY quieter and smoother with 0-30. I never liked all the clank clank and diesel sounds my truck made with the 20 weight oil. It is like a whole different beast (ie, no clanking) now that I switched to 30 weight. I will never put that 20 in the truck again! I don't care what the book says about 20 weight, I want my truck to last, and 30 is the way to go for me!! No noticeable drop in MPG either.:machinegunner:
  • Like
Reactions: 2
1 - 3 of 71 Posts
I bought my truck from Sparks Toyota and it had the much ballyhooed lifetime powertrain warranty. Unlimited miles, unlimited years. Sounds good right?
Water pump is leaking a little I noticed when I changed the oil two weeks ago at 65K.
contacted Sparks about this and they started lighting the flaming hoops I would have to leap thru to get warranty repair. All oil changes, tire rotations and all other routine maint services had to be done at the dealership or at least performed by an ASE certified mechanic. What does an oil change have to do with a leaking water pump?
Needless to say I have written off Sparks Toyota.
I will repair it myself and continue to change the oil in my garage.
Cookiedough1-all I can tell you is that is the answer I got from Sparks. I didn't pay for the extended warranty, it was a dealer warranty that came with the truck. I paid to have the water pump replaced as my truck is an '08 and has 65K miles. I've saved the warranty paper since we may have a toilet paper shortage some day.
Cookiedough1-No, I haven't pulled out the paper and checked it. Since their first reaction was negative I was concerned about them doing any work on my truck. And I have since relocated and the dealer is about 200 miles away. Thanks for the concern.
1 - 3 of 71 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top