Was told to avoid buying a car which uses x-20 motor oil

[MotoringMark]

Hi all. I have a 15 year old Toyota Avalon, The car has really been faithful and it uses 10-30 motor oil.

I test drove a new Camry. Great view of the road, good acceleration and braking, quiet. It has five things I didn't like, but could live with.

A friend of mine who feels he is an engine specialist told me to avoid buying a car which uses 20 weight oil, just as 0-20. He said that the engine rings wear out sooner, usually between 120,000 and 150,000 and the engine will need a quart per week.

He said the 20 weight was needed by manufacturers because of fuel injectors and the EPA demanding better mileage.

The Camry uses 20 weight oil.

QUESTIONS:

1. Why are cars changing to 20 weight motor oil?
2. Is it true one should hesitate buying a car which uses 20 weight oil?

[347 ranger]

Originally Posted by MotoringMark

Hi all. I have a 15 year old Toyota Avalon, The car has really been faithful and it uses 10-30 motor oil.

I test drove a new Camry. Great view of the road, good acceleration and braking, quiet. It has five things I didn't like, but could live with.

A friend of mine who feels he is an engine specialist told me to avoid buying a car which uses 20 weight oil, just as 0-20. He said that the engine rings wear out sooner, usually between 120,000 and 150,000 and the engine will need a quart per week.

He said the 20 weight was needed by manufacturers because of fuel injectors and the EPA demanding better mileage.

The Camry uses 20 weight oil.

QUESTIONS:

1. Why are cars changing to 20 weight motor oil?
2. Is it true one should hesitate buying a car which uses 20 weight oil?

No this is not true two things you have to look at is the oils of to day
are lots better than they were just 5 years ago! The new oils with the SN oil certification are a top oil that has great load holding ability they don't need 50 weight any more! What has been found is a lite oil will flow faster through the engine creating better cooling causes the oil to last longer!

Look on the oil manufactures own web sight you will see that they will say the oils that were recommended only 15 years ago are listed as to poor to use in a modern car!

[shorod]

The 20 weight oil will help with fuel economy, sure, but ask your self-proclaimed "engine expert" what the oil has to do with fuel injectors.

In addition to flowing faster, the tighter manufacturing tolerances of a modern engine also allow use of the 20 weight oils where older engines would have consumption issues if you tried to use 20 weight.

-Rod

[maxwedge]

Originally Posted by shorod

The 20 weight oil will help with fuel economy, sure, but ask your self-proclaimed "engine expert" what the oil has to do with fuel injectors.

In addition to flowing faster, the tighter manufacturing tolerances of a modern engine also allow use of the 20 weight oils where older engines would have consumption issues if you tried to use 20 weight.

-Rod

seconded!