Can I use 0w20 ?

If you drive for good FE then there is not allot of stress put on the ICE. If you drive for good FE , then 0-20 is the only way to go. You will find your engine to be much quieter from the get go! Everything I own with a mtr. gets 0-20 and all seem very happy. Start-ups are hard on ICE and this is where 0 wt. shines. And Toyota Canada has recommended this oil in our Prius for the last 2 years! Only my opinion. H

 

This Toyota chart is on the web, I found it here:

Official Toyota Oil Recommendation Chart - Club Lexus Forums

It looks like 2004 Prius is ok with 0W20, in fact 2004 model year is the earliest so recommended.

 

I would stick with the 30 weight for poistive lubrication at running temperature.

However, because of the start-stop technology of the ICE, low resistance the start-up provided with the "0" in 0W30 in a synthetic like Mobile 1 would provide the benefit of less wear, while maintaining the 30 weight needed in a hot climate like Greece.

 

TGMO synthetic 0W20 is approved for use in the 08 Prius in Canada, that's what I use.

 

No BUT it is Toyota Europe who specify 0w20. Surprisingly we are subject to temperatures of 110 in summer in places like Greece, Spain and Italy. In many places a warranty of 100,000 or 5 years applies to Toyota vehicles too.

 

According to Toyota the 0w/20 is fine any where in Europe. I would stay with the 0w/20.

 

The same as if you were to drive your car to Northern Norway.

Stick with the oil you're using if you're happy with it. I'll never suggest you change or do anything to your oil. You asked what my personal, uneducated view was as a member of the forum. I have given it for what it's worth.

 

Funny you should say that Grumpy that's just what I did quite often when I was working I also used to cross into northern Sweden.

 

I see many days over a 100 during July and Aug . Not as much as southern US but it is semi arid here where I live. H

 

Some years ago I was working in Canada a long way from you in Montreal. It was late January the temperature was minus 40 and the people I was working with said in the summer they often saw temps over 100.

 

just spend the money and get an oil analysis! especially if your spending the extra cash to buy o-20 since its not cheap then report back to this thread =]

 

I don't think it's ever gotten over 35 C (95 F) here on the west coast (just discussing the weather now), but the interior, away from the tempering influence of ocean, it gets hotter.

OTOH, regarding "official" temperatures vs reality: walk across a nice black asphalt parking lot and the temperatures are a lot higher. Large black surfaces in general contribute to urban warming.

 

Wait to see what Toyota Europe say, seeing as you're in Greece. Be interesting when they say change the oil every 10,000 miles or 12 months eh

 

Thank you for asking Toyota and sharing their response.
It is a little hard to interpret since you are from Greece and they are in USA, but sort of sounds like they are assigning more importance to drain interval, which impacts me as I have Extended Drain interval Mobil-1 in there now, sounds like they don't like any oil over 5000 miles. I will likely stick with 0w-30 and 5w-30 as I have a supply for a while.

 

Why is oil to be changed on a time basis, i.e. 5000 miles or 6 months whichever comes first? What happens to oil in a car that is not driven often?

 

For want of a more scientific explanation; it goes off. It absorbs fuel vapours too which affect its protection properties.

Petrol also goes off over time, some faster than others depending on the blend, but if you have a can of 3 year old petrol, I personally wouldn't be keen on using it in my car.

Conditions around the world vary; heat, humidity etc, but it is unheard of to change synthetic oil here in Europe under 12 months. Many intervals stretch to 24 months.