Prius 2013: 0W-16 engine oil?

Specifically, all parts cooled by the coolant. Which is most of the engine block, head and EGR system, including all the oil in them.

 

Does anybody even produce that in GF-5 spec? I don't think I've seen straight 20W in a store in a few decades.

 

That's what we do in Nigeria sometimes. In some of the cars I ha e worked on, it appears these lighter oils kinda thins out of some engines. Corollas, most especially.

 

That's similar to what we have in Nigeria. Dusty, and temperatures in the 35-40°C

 

This is because when you start your engine, it's about the same temperature as.........(wait for it).......ambient air.
Most of the oil viscosity recommendation charts start at a low temperature and have arrows on the high end.
This is because it is presumed that, despite climate change claims, ambient air will be < than engine's normal operating temperature.

This guide is not to keep the engine from being damaged by high temps during normal operation but rather it is intended to show which oil should be used to prevent excessive wear before your engine reaches normal operating temps when it's cold.

Fun Fact:
In oil nomenclature, “W” does not stand for “Weight”. It stands for “Winter” and that is the key to understanding viscosity grades.
5 Engine Oil Myths | HowStuffWorks

Exactly my point.
This delta will not be considerably larger in the Gobi Desert than it is above the Arctic Circle, once the engine reaches normal operating temperature.

Pends on what you mean by "safe."
Most single weight oils are not designed for automobile use, and they usually lack all of the oil additives that people get into even sillier arguments about.

Multi-weight oil is what the OEMs recommend for almost all light duty automobile engines.

Prius engines are designed for 0w20, but many people have used 5w30 (including Big Bell, which has <sarcasm font ON> lovingly maintained </sarcasm font OFF> my 2 work Priuses for nearly 9 years now.

Most Prius oil problems are caused by owner neglect, exacerbated by a small sump and long OCI rather than using the "wrong" oil.

 

This does not appear to be the case. In the manual for a Subaru Outback, the following is provided:



"in hot weather, oil of higher viscosity is required to properly lubricate the engine. If the vehicle is used in desert areas, in areas with very high temperatures, or used for heavy-duty applications such as towing a trailer, use of oil with the following grade and viscosities is recommended.

API classification SM or SL:
SAE viscosity No.:
30, 40, 10W-50, 20W-40, 20W-50"

Higher viscosity is specifically called out for engine protection in hot weather. The specification is not "use heavy oil all the time unless it gets cold".

 

Positively sure that a Prius engine is not the same as any Subaru.

 

BUT.....it still is a pretty much standard internal combustion gas engine.
It can't be THAT much different.

 

The Crosstrek Hybrid is a joint venture with Toyota, so the engines may have similarities. But, that's not the issue.

The point is - oil recommendations for use of heavier oil under high loads or high temperatures are to protect the engine against those conditions, not for cold starting.

In the case of Toyota and the Prius - one oil only is specified (at least in the US manual) for all conditions.

 

And it has been discussed many times before.......that Toyota may have motivations in recommending that oil that are not REALLY tied to having the best lubrication possible for long engine life.

 

That's an odd theory. If you believe that to be the case, then just run whatever oil you want in the car and don't worry about any recommendations from the people who design, build and warranty the vehicle.

 

And are under the gun from government regulators to squeeze out the last hundredth of a mile per gallon across their fleet too.

You can subject a car to some pretty outrageous things and still successfully make it to the end of a 2 or 3 year warranty.

Side note: Big companies have an excellent reputation for doing things that are good for their customers......right ??

 

Thoughtful and useful post. Particularly appreciate you noting that engine operating temps are similar in broad range of climates, so engine start-up much, much more important for viscosity. (I'm in Arizona...still using just the 0W-20, instead of 0W-30)

 

Not a good idea. Most wear occurs when cold engine starting, so the lower viscosity is important. I run aircraft engines with straight weight oils...but these are air-cooled 1960's technology engines with huge oil passages "designed" for that (and turbocharged).

 

Posted on this, at some length in a similar thread:

Prius 2017 Engine Oil 0w-16/0w-20 | PriusChat

 

Yea, 2019 me was far more thoughtful and useful than 2024 me.
I don't know if 0w20 v 0w30 is really going to mean much in the grand mosaic - depending on what the 'Other Hybrid' is,

The Spads and Sopwiths flown in WW1 used castor oil from what I remember reading.
There are interesting references to digestive issues caused by this lubricant choice but very few actual references the historical record.
I would have had similar issues during aerial combat flying those string-bags myself - REGARDLESS of the lubricant in question.