How to Change the Oil in Your RAV4 (and save $1000)

[@MuhammadDawood-j1b]

Sir I drive for Uber and I have 175,000 miles on my 2021 Sienna with the same engine. 0w16 all these miles with no issues, doesn't burn a single drop. These engines are designed for 0w16 so don't worry, just change the oil every 5000 miles or 6 months. Right now I am running Pennzoil Platinum 0w16

[@jimsgaragetoys]

Great job using Pennzoil Ultra Platinum! That's great oil. You have an advantage that you drive yours a lot and the fluid temps stay at operating temp. But the only reason Toyota and other manufacturers use lighter oils is because of CAFE standards for MPG and the EPA. I many other markets the same engine uses 0w-20 and 5w-30. The Sienna isn't a performance machine but the 0w-20 will protect bearings better, but using 0w-16 and changing is every 5k miles is okay with how you use the car. For many people they take much shorter trips and they get fuel dilution that destroys oil and the thinner the oil starts out the thinner it gets with use. You won't experience this though as your engine is running all day. You need to use the oil that fits the way the engine is being used.

[@romanc.5074]

The oil Geek says using 0w-16 is no issue because it has much more additives to protect the engine than 0w-20. A lab experiment proved that ow-12 oil provided more protection than 0w-30 because of the added protector additives. Crazy. The new Corrola and Camry use the 0w-8.

[@jimsgaragetoys]

I'll have to have a look at what he says. I would personally never use 0w-8 and I guess it would depend on what brand the oil was. I'm going to be working with him on an oil test over the coming years to see some differences on turbo engines and viscosity.

[@MrSbigden]

Pretty soon we will be using 0W-h2o

[@jimsgaragetoys]

Crazy isn't it! I don't even like the thought of using a 0w-20 in my turbo cars, I'll be using 5w-30 in those from now on..

[@SwordsCutEmDown]

When you filled it to 4.5 qts with the short YZZN1 filter your video showed the level WAS proper...it was about 3/4 of the way between the min and max dots on the dip stick. 4.8 qts. would put the level ABOVE the max dot with the shorter filter. If you used the LONGER YZZ F1 filter or the longer WIX 51394 filter then 4.8 qts is the correct amount.

[@jimsgaragetoys]

When I filled it with 4.8 quarts it was actually right at the full line, not over it at all so it was perfect. I use the longer YZZF1 filter on most of my cars but that was the filter the dealer gave my daughter so that's what I used. I would think that the 4.8 quarts would be correct with the N1 filter as that is what is listed in the manual. With the F1 filter it looks like you could just use the entire 5 quart jug.

[@sergiovelazquez535]

I wonder if the 4.8 vs 4.4 is if you prefilled the filter or not, maybe ?

[@jimsgaragetoys]

@ Won't make a difference since you start the engine and check for leaks, then you shut it down and check the level. Pre-filling the filter just helps build oil pressure quicker and gets oil to the top of the engine faster.

[@romanc.5074]

Great point.

[@romanc.5074]

I put 4.8 and it overfilled my 2024 raw4 hydrid.

[@jimsgaragetoys]

By how much? When I put in 4.5 quarts it was still below the full line after starting it and letting it sit before checking the level. When I added the little extra up to 4.8 quarts it was right at the full line. I wonder why people are getting these different fill amounts? Did they change something in later years? My daughters is a 2021 Hybrid but it has the same engine.

[@romanc.5074]

@@jimsgaragetoys For the 2024 Google says 4.5.

[@aussiedeplorable8670]

It may be even better to use the OEM Toyota oil, which is Mobil 1 with Toyota additives. The Motor Oil Geek scientist is well worth looking up, as his company has done extensive oil research. When you take your car to be serviced by somebody else they are unlikely to pre fill the oil filter and are also likely to overfill.

[@jimsgaragetoys]

Funny that you mention Lake aka The Motor Oil Geek. I'm just not very confident in the Mobil 1 oils as I haven't seen very good results from them in testing. In fact, Lake has tested the Pennzoil Ultra Platinum and has been very impressed with it. He has used it personally and loves how it has tested and performed. I've spoken to him about it several times. I will be working with him directly to test some different oils on both my 2009 Corolla Turbo and 23 GR Corolla. It will take a couple of years to get all of the data but I'm looking forward to seeing what we learn.

[@aussiedeplorable8670]

@ Next week in fact, l am picking up a new 2024 RAV4 hybrid AWD, and l have been trying to work out, which is the best oil to use in South Australia (warm climate), at this stage I am looking into OEM Toyota, (not sure wether to use their 0W-16 or 0W-20) or Pennzoil (Pennzoil also have a 0W-16 available in Australia, I am also concerned about my new cars warranty being affected by which oil I choose to use, or by me doing the oil change myself.

[@jimsgaragetoys]

@@aussiedeplorable8670 I know that I would use the Pennzoil Ultra Platinum myself in a 0w-20 with the higher temps. How hot are you talking? A 0w-30 or 5w-30 would also be okay in extreme heat.

[@aussiedeplorable8670]

@ in summer the temperature in South Australia range from 20°C to about 40°C (roughly 60°F to about 105°F), how would using 5W-30 affect the warranty with Toyota.

[@jimsgaragetoys]

@@aussiedeplorable8670 My first thought would be to use the 0w-20. It's listed in the manual here as being okay to use. When you get it, look and see what your manual says? Does it list any other oil viscosities? I'm curious to see if anything is different.

[@jimdailey1985]

Get rid of the m1. Use ultra p. Excellent oil.

[@jimsgaragetoys]

That's what I told her to do from now on. She didn't know when she was buying it but she does now. I sent the link for the PUP 0w20 to both her and her husband to buy that from now on.

[@rstuff1605]

With 0w-20 even 5w-20 being so thin, I'd put all 5 quarts in. I asked kevin who came in for lunch one lunch period why toyota overfilled the oil one whole mark over high mark 1 quart on top off 5. His excuse was they wanna make sure everything is lubricated. It ran okay besides the ecu dialing back power after one half throttle after a left turn since the oil gets sloshed to one side but having an overfill of water viscosity didnt stop it from overheating the oil

[@jimsgaragetoys]

@@rstuff1605 I'm not a huge fan of overfilling the oil unless you are going to be tracking a vehicle, that would be my one exception.

[@aussiedeplorable8670]

@@rstuff1605over filling the oil is just as bad as under filling.

[@rstuff1605]

I found out japan had 0w-8 since 2015 or so

[@jimsgaragetoys]

Yep, they started testing it a long time ago. There is no way I would use 0w-8, newer Toyotas also call for that and once again, it's just for EPA mileage figures.

[@kenj.8897]

From what I understand the base oils in the lower viscosity are much better , than they use in say a 5w30 . But it would scare the hell out of me using 0w8​@@jimsgaragetoys

[@philipeli1192]

@@jimsgaragetoys that ow-8 toyota oil made by mobil is 24.00 a qt at my dealer! Light oils are the future sir,at least in turbo and direct injection engines.6b oil flows so good,0w -8 even more so.Trust the engineers,not just higher viscosity numbers. I was a 20-50 guy in my hot rod days,now its lawnmower oil,lol

[@jimsgaragetoys]

@@philipeli1192 You don't seem to understand that it's NOT the engineers that are making this decision. Using lighter oils like 0w-8 will help MPG by the smallest amount, this is why they are using them and for no other reason. The only thing that manufacturers have to worry about is that engines last past warranty and the extended warranty lengths which normally don't go past 120k miles. After that they din't care, if you want to keep your cars longer than use an oil that won't have the blow by that the thin oils do, and testing has shown that they do. On my GR Corolla even the 0w-20 has been shown to not protect the engine nearly as well as a 0w-30 or 5w-30. A 5w oil can flow down to -31F which most people don't have to worry about. so even for winter a 5w can be fine. The true benefit is the 30 weight for heat and bearing protection. Each oil standard that comes out doesn't mean that current oils don't pass that but lower quality oils will need to be improved. Amsoil and Pennzoil Ultra Platinum are 2 of the best oils available and I would bet that they can both pass the new standards with the current oil. This occurs a lot but all oils ill be tested to see if they do pass. The oil you mention from the dealer for $24/quart, there are 2 reasons I wouldn't use it, one is the cost and 2 is that it's made by Mobil as their oils have been testing poorly for years now.

[@philipeli1192]

@@jimsgaragetoys why are you so scared of light oil that is of better quality than old oil? If its a numbers thing your incorrect,turbos and direct injection need these new oils! I use amsoil hybrid oil 0w-16 the correct oil you can use what you want,direct injection,requires 6b! heavy oil will wash the walls,then its toast. Dont mean to rain on your parade tho,lol

[@minhnguyen-mk9om]

who cares about mandate mileage cuz it not gonna save you that much gas enough to notice it, maybe .05 %, it is getting ridiculous by going 0w8

[@jimsgaragetoys]

I agree 100%. I would never use 0w-8, I would just stick with 0w-20 and take the mileage hit that you won't even know is happening.

[@1967KID]

Never change the oil at 10,000 miles thats crazy, 5,000 miles oil change max my rav4 2024 LE is going to have ow-20 . Not ow-16 especially im in Puerto Rico is hot all year long . My toyota corolla 2014 LE ow-20 5,000 miles. since 5 miles new the dealership told me that it's every 10,000 miles and I told them i treat my car's like a woman, not like a throw away. It's my money 💰 simple. Talking care of your car's is #1 . If not it will costs more in the long term. Good luck.

[@jimsgaragetoys]

I couldn't agree more! I'm amazed when people buy a new car and don't change the oil until 10k miles. I do a break-in oil change on every new car around 800-1k miles and always do 5k mile oil changes. If I lived where you do or somewhere else that's hot all of the time I would use 5w-30 for better bearing protection and wear. Don't forget your transmission fluid and coolant either!

[@1967KID]

@jimsgaragetoys yes all oils and fluids are taken care of I do it my self I don't trust all micanics.

[@jimsgaragetoys]

@@1967KID I don't blame you, I feel the same way. I do all of the maintenance on my 3 daughters 7 Toyotas that they own too.

[@johnmartin7158]

Manual for Toyota NZ says OW-20.

[@jimsgaragetoys]

@@johnmartin7158 Yep, that's my point, depending on where you are in the world, the oil that is recommended can be different. I know many people that run 5w-30 in their vehicles that call for 0w-20 and they have well over 300k miles. The 5w-30 offers much better bearing protection.

[@philipeli1192]

That mobil 1 is 6b rated the 0w-20 is not. The mobil 1 0w-16 is the superior oil here.Use what the cap says,us Americans love big numbers.

[@jimsgaragetoys]

A 0w-16 will not protect bearings as well as the 0w-20 and the Pennzoil Ultra Platinum is a much higher rated oil and has done better in testing than the Mobil 1. The only reason that oil is getting even thinner than 0w-20 is due to CAFE standards and the government pushing for better MPG, it has nothing to do with what is best for the engine and it's long term health. Meeting ratings is fine, I'm sure the Pennzoil will meet that goal too but it has out performed the Mobil 1 in every comparison test I've seen. And I trust the science of the testing and protection I've seen that the 0w-20 provides over the thinner 0w-16 and 0w-8 oils. Feel free to use what you prefer.

[@philipeli1192]

@@jimsgaragetoys Not true sir bearing clearance is the issue,the tighter the clearance the lighter the viscosity is needed. Americans like big numbers tho,lol kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqG3nZp6l7p8hMU

[@johnmartin7158]

⁠@@philipeli1192The channel is totally correct. It’s country to country. My Toyota RAV4 manual explicitly says OW-20. I’m in NZ. This is the 1st channel to point this out, so kudos to Jim’s Garage Toys

[@philipeli1192]

@@jimsgaragetoys I use amsoils hyvrid formula0w-16.Dont tighter tolerances call for lighter oil????

[@jimsgaragetoys]

@@philipeli1192 These tighter tolerances have nothing to do with the super thin oils that are being used. The only reason for using 0w-16 and now 0w-8 is for CAFE standards from the government. Without them the engineers would never use these thinner oils. In fact they would most likely still use 5w-30. I know many people that do indeed use 5w-30 instead and have for more than 300k miles because it will protect bearing much better. Even when a 5w-30 oil is at operating temperature is plenty thin enough to flow through the smallest of places. The key is to keep the oil clean and change it.