Is it mandatory to use 0w20 oil for Corolla?
2 Answers
Corolla does not necessarily require 0w20 oil, 5W20 oil can also be used. Below is extended information about engine oil: 1. Increased fuel consumption: When adding engine oil, the oil level should be between the upper and lower limits on the dipstick. If too much oil is added, the oil volume will expand as the engine temperature rises, increasing pressure in the oil chamber and operational resistance, which will reduce vehicle power and increase fuel consumption. 2. Overfilling oil: Excessive oil can cause oil to leak through the crankcase vent pipe. Increased crankcase pressure may loosen oil seals due to oil pressure, leading to oil leaks. 3. Heat dissipation: Overfilling oil can affect engine heat dissipation.
I've seen many people asking whether Corolla must use 0w20 engine oil. As someone who often helps friends with car maintenance, I must say Toyota strongly recommends 0w20 oil because it's optimized for Corolla engines, especially providing faster and smoother starts in cold temperatures. If you switch to other viscosities like 5w30, the engine may experience slightly more friction, leading to higher fuel consumption and potential long-term engine wear. Of course, not every Corolla strictly requires it - older models might be more tolerant, but new vehicles' manuals clearly recommend it. Sticking with 0w20 is the safest and most cost-effective choice. During each maintenance, I also advise friends to check oil quality, as neglecting this may cause engine noise or power loss - the gain wouldn't worth the loss. Developing the habit of using the correct oil type makes driving much more worry-free.
