Should we be using more viscous engine oil?

@orenji is one of those 0w-40 folks and always up for an oil debate .

 

I'm switching to 5W30 synthetic when I run out of 0W20. One change left of the 0W20. I use the Toyota oil, which was Mobil 1 (was the same bottle even), but the bottle is now different, so I have no idea what they get. Probably the cheapest. It's a pretty good price at my dealer - beats Wally World here. I use the 5W30 in the FJ Cruiser, so I will be keeping only one oil on the shelf.
I'm still under 40,000 km, so no longevity data here.

 

Our 2010 Prius is burning oil now at 95k miles (probably started before that, but I didn't check level very often). We get free oil changes at the dealer so I'll ask them next time to put 5w30 synthetic in - if they will do it. I wonder if I ask the dealer to clean the EGR, pipe and associated parts they will even have a procedure to do it? At one time I would have done something like that myself, but now I'm old and don't do engine work any longer - my back can't handle it. Anyone know if there is a written Toyota procedure/guide for cleaning EGR?

 

No cleaning procedures, just remove and replace .

If I were in your position (and I will be at some point hopefully in life), I would do the following:

• Buy a salvage egr cooler off of a local salvage yard or eBay
• Buy a salvage intake manifold in the same manner
• Clean both of them at your convenience while you call around to local mechanics and get quotes
• Review the @NutzAboutBolts videos in the Gen3 maintenance section (they are pinned to the top) so you can see what is involved and describe to the mechanic what they will be doing if they are not familiar
• Take the cleaned parts to the selected mechanic and ask for the dirty ones back so they can be cleaned and ready for the next time
• Buy 5w-30 or 0w-40 oil and take it to the mechanic you use for oil changes. I did that with a Toyota dealer out here a couple of times and all they charged was labor (which was $30 but discounted by $10 on Sundays)
• Check your oil dipstick frequently to understand the consumption rate. I check both of our cars every Saturday morning as it is a 5 minute job

Hope that helps .

 

Maybe you can find a mechanic that'll pull the parts and just leave the car sitting for a day or two, while you clean?