What I know for certain is that the first number is the viscosity when cold. The second number is viscosity when warm. To me having a lower viscosity for the pump to lift in the cold is better. Then if it doesn't get cold like that in the summer, you never need your oil to be that thin. So a greater viscosity would be beneficial. No? Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
No expert on this subject, but have been using 0w20 oil as recommended by manufacturer on HCH, Gen3 Pri, and now on Prime with no problem in subzero weather. Yeah, we are talking -20F in winter.
Heavier oil or a greater viscosity would surely cause the engine to knock at those temperatures. Check this out... Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
BTW, are all 0W20 oils interchangeable? Can I use Toyota oil on Honda? Genuine Toyota 0W20 oil is less than Genuine Honda 0W20 oil. What complicated my search for Genuine Honda 0W20 oil for our aging HCH is that Honda has two different formulation of 0W20. Ultimate and Blend, I think they are called. Both are higher priced than Toyota's.
I would put whatever viscosity Toyota says in the manual, or more specifically recommended by Mobil on their website for the model in question. If it conflicts with the manual print out the page for evidence, just in case there is chance for Mobil’s engine warranty. (I know people say may be nearly impossible, but if you have oil not matching the owner’s manual plus no evidence why you chose it there’s no grounds to start in the first place). I actually had to check that I am actually in the Gen 2 side, where a different viscosity is possibly called for by Toyota, and so sorry if I’ve caused confusion with my post! Regarding Honda oil as asked, we have an ‘18 Honda Clarity PHEV, and in 4 weeks is due for first service says the indicator. I actually have the Mobil 1 AP 0W-20 left over from last 4 oil changes on other cars that is just a tad over the required amount needed for the change. The pricing at Walmart including rebate is extremely hard to beat. I started by using the Mobil 1 Extended Performance 20k mi filter, but am switching to Fram Ultra per specs I’ve read. No cutting up filters to investigate for me, I will need to watch the videos linked. (Thanks for sharing them)!
I've been using Toyota 0W20 (synth) bulk oil on our ex Honda Civic Hybrid, for 4~5 years. Similarly, using Toyota 5W20 (conventional) bulk oil in our daughter's Honda Pilot. The Honda oil was bottled-only (I'm trying to do my bit by avoiding putting bottles in the recycle stream) and the price was about $5 CDN more per liter: I was outa there.
What happen to the poster "BuickGM." He had lots of good information about oil & oil testing. Was he completely removed from the forums? I can't even find him in a search. Another very good oil website is "Bob is the Oil Guy." Those guys eat, sleep, and drink oil! Bob Is The Oil Guy | The Internet's Number One Motor Oil Site Just drive it.
Apparently, this chart was made before 0W-20 was invented. 5W-30 looks to be the best overall oil for all temperature conditions. We can argue 'till the cows come home... but I have definitely noticed a difference in my Prius since I made the switch. Going on 2,000 miles now, using Mobil 1 Extended Performance. Nothing wrong with Toyota's recommendation of 0W-20, but I just feel more comfortable using a slightly thicker oil.... as the owner's manual says... a thicker oil may be substituted under certain kinds of driving conditions. Mobil 1 Extended Perdormance *supposedly* is good for 15,000 miles without breaking down. I think I will go back to changing my oil just once a year. I probably won't even drive 8 or 9 thousand miles in 12 months.... I don't think I need to change it twice a year. Save a few dollars, and buy a pizza!
My introduction to 0W-20 was with 2008 Civic Hybrid. That was the first time I ever used 0W-20. In fact that was the first time I used synthetic oil. I think my older 7th generation gas only Civic was using conventional 5W-30, but as far back as I can remember I used 5W-30 in all of my cars even with bigger cars like Grand Caravan, Pathfinder, and Sienna.
I did the same, in all my previous vehicles. Maybe I used 10-40 on one older car. But I was using non-synthetic. Now we have 5W-30 synthetic. Even better. (Just my non-professional humble opinion). My Gen4 Prius ICE now sounds more mature... more refined... it has a more subdued "growl"... Consistent 57.9 mpg displayed; and 55.5 to 56 calculated after every 500 mile tank. (Regular Prius. AC always on. PWR mode.) I sure can't complain about that!
Prius Camper, notice the oil is supposed to be thinner in the colder and thicker in the warmer? There's something to be learned from this chart I believe. Thanks again to the OP for sharing the rebate. Best wishes!
I get the Advanced Fuel Economy simply because it is about $3 cheaper than the Extended Performance. I would never use annual protection on a prius because it would be crazy to go 20,000 miles without changing oil on a prius. Especially when it starts to disappear after 3k miles lol.
I use the mobil one extended performance oil filter and my oil change guy says I can change the filter every other oil change. It's about $10 for the oil filter so as far as I am concerned I am saving ten additional dollars every other change. What do you guys have to say about this!
Honda now recommends changing the oil filter (the stock Honda filter) at every second oil change. When I was getting oil changed at a Honda dealership I found they were adamantly opposed to this, oh well. Honda doesn't actually publish a schedule; you rely on the in-dash "Maintenance Minder". It counts down percent, and from 15% down displays an alpha/numeric code. It alternates between "A" (oil change) and "B" (oil and filter change).
Here's a (Honda) Owner's Manual description of the codes, oil change highlighted. Of note too: Honda's policy on brake fluid:
Mobil says to change the filter, with the oil, once a year no? I wouldn’t go two. If you read the fine print their rating goes down to 30 microns (20k mi rated filter). Fram Ultra (20k mi rated filter) notes that those filter down to 20 microns on the same test for the same %, I believe 99%. Hence why I mentioned I am switching to them now.