| MAINTENANCE AND
CARE TIPS
Synthetic Oil
Question
Can I use synthetic oil in my car?
Answer
Many vehicles come from the factory with natural petroleum-based engine
oil, i.e.,Toyota is currently recommending API1 grade SJ or SL, or ILSAC2
multigrade petroleum-based engine oil3 for their current model year vehicles.
In moderate climates, this oil should have a Society of Automotive Engineers
(SAE) viscosity rating of 5W-30. In our high mileage tests with preventative
maintenance performed at the recommended intervals, the recommended natural
petroleum-based oil has provided excellent service.
If you decide to use synthetic oil for the engine, it is best not to switch
until the first scheduled oil change. Synthetic oil should meet or exceed
the specifications provided in your Owner's Manual. Even if synthetic
oil is used, we do not recommend a longer oil change interval. Also, once
synthetic oil is used, you should keep using it and not switch back and
forth with natural petroleum-based oil.
Auto manufacturers usually do not cover any damage to the engine resulting
from the use of engine oil that is defective, or that does not meet the
specifications provided in your Owner's Manual, regardless of whether
the oil is natural or synthetic. You can protect yourself against this
possibility by having your maintenance performed by a factory-authorized
dealership.
1 American Petroleum Institute
2 International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee
3 Please refer to your Owner's Manual for additional information
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