What Type of Engine Oil is Best for Toyota RAV4?

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Toyota RAV4's original factory engine oil brand is Toyota Genuine Oil. If you wish to change the oil during later maintenance, you can choose brands such as Shell, Mobil, Castrol, or Total. The official Toyota RAV4 manual recommends oil models of 0W-20, 5W-20, 5W-30, and 5W-40. Any oil model that meets these four specifications can be used. The viscosity of engine oil changes with temperature, so it is particularly important to pay attention to its performance under both low and high temperatures. For example, in 5W-30, the first number indicates low-temperature fluidity. 5W means it can withstand low temperatures of -30°C. The smaller this number, the better the low-temperature fluidity, resulting in smoother cold starts for the car. The latter number represents the kinematic viscosity of the oil at 100°C. The higher the value, the better it maintains viscosity under high temperatures, which can also be understood as better lubrication performance under high-temperature conditions. The method for changing the engine oil in a Toyota RAV4 is as follows: Wait for the engine temperature to drop, allowing the oil to flow back into the oil pan; Use a wrench to loosen the oil drain plug and place an oil pan underneath to catch the old oil until it stops flowing. Start the engine for about 30 seconds to allow the oil in the main oil passage to drain out; Use a specialized wrench to remove the oil filter; Apply some oil to the oil seal of the new oil filter and tighten it clockwise by hand; Add the new engine oil through the oil filler cap on the engine valve cover. Generally, fill about three-quarters of a standard oil container; Start the engine and let it run for 5 minutes, then check for any leaks around the oil drain plug and oil filter. If leaks are found, perform necessary repairs; After stopping the engine, pull out the oil dipstick to ensure the engine oil level is within the standard range.