What Type of Engine Oil is Suitable for the Sixth-Generation Camry?
4 Answers
In regions with generally higher temperatures, you can use 5W-40 engine oil; in the frigid northern areas, 5W-30 engine oil is suitable. Camry Engine Oil Replacement Cycle: It is usually done simultaneously with the oil filter replacement, with a cycle of 250 hours or one month. Functions of Engine Oil: Engine lubricating oil serves to lubricate and reduce friction, assist in cooling, seal against leaks, prevent rust and corrosion, and provide shock absorption for the engine. It is hailed as the 'blood' of the car. Engine oil consists of two parts: base oil and additives. The base oil is the main component of the lubricating oil, determining its basic properties, while the additives compensate for and improve the shortcomings of the base oil, imparting certain new properties, making them an essential part of the lubricating oil.
My sixth-gen Camry 2.4L has been using 5W-30 full synthetic oil for five years, as recommended by the dealership. The owner's manual states that SM grade or higher is the minimum requirement. 5W-30 ensures smooth cold starts at -25°C and provides sufficient high-temperature protection in summer. If your car has over 150,000 km, consider switching to 5W-40 - older engines with wider component gaps need thicker oil film protection. I recommend Mobil or Shell full synthetic oils with 7,500 km change intervals, especially for high-mileage vehicles. Pro tip: never cheap out on oil filters - OEM Denso filters trap far more contaminants.
Starting the engine sounds like a tractor at -20°C in winter? Try 0W-20! My Heilongjiang-based 6th-gen Camry 2.0L relies on this grade to survive. Although the manufacturer recommends 5W-30, 0W-20 has better low-temperature fluidity, allowing oil to reach the cylinder head instantly during cold starts. Remember to use full synthetic oil of SN grade or higher—cheap mineral oils can actually harm your engine. Northern drivers should remember to change the oil before winter and switch to antifreeze windshield washer fluid, or you'll be embarrassed if the nozzles freeze. 2.4L displacement owners shouldn't blindly follow the trend of using 0W-20, as insufficient viscosity may lead to oil burning.
Just took over my dad's 2010 Camry. The repair shop recommended 5W-40 for this old car. Indeed, the 12-year-old vehicle burns oil, and 40 viscosity can fill the piston ring gaps. Actual tests show it burns 0.3L more oil per 100km, but engine noise is significantly reduced. Keep a close eye on oil levels and always carry a 1L bottle in the trunk. High-mileage oils contain seal swell additives that are more friendly to rubber seals. Shorten the oil change interval to 5,000km as older engines produce more metal debris. Don't blindly trust OEM-branded oils - Mobil EP or Castrol Edge have more mature technologies.
