What oil for older car?

[Slowboathome]

My 14 year old Yaris shed has done nearly 100k (not much in the scheme of things) but has started to use oil.

I'm currently putting 0w-20 in it. Would a different viscosity result in less oil being lost?

[cliffords]

I am surprised that's the spec , if there is any wear it will burn oil with the spec. Go to opie oils with the reg and look what they spec.
I would put 5w 30 in it and give it a try .

[Heaveho]

In the same boat with a 130k 2004 Lexus IS300. It's currently at the dealers for a major and I've asked them to up the oil from 5/30 to 5/40.

0/20 is too thin in my opinion.

[Slowboathome]

Thanks for the replies

0w 20 is definitely the manufacturer's recommended spec - I checked the handbook.

[Charlie Croker mk2]

if you get blue smoke on the overun ( When you press the throttle after going downhill ) then its likely the valve stem oil seals have gone hard . Very cheap parts but labour intensive to fit .

If blue smoke when you are driving ? = new piston rings , new engine or new car required .

Does it leak oil , no its a Toyota LOL

Temp solution for the next 2-3 hundred thousand miles is full synthetic 10w40 even 5w30 is far to thin for this engine .

Edited by Charlie Croker mk2 on Tuesday 12th December 23:25

[Olivera]

Slowboathome said:

0w 20 is definitely the manufacturer's recommended spec - I checked the handbook.

The manufacturer expected your Yaris to be a tin can after 14 years. In other words 0w 20 may be suitable for a newish engine, but it probably now needs a 40 weight, e.g. 10w 40.

[Slowboathome]

Olivera said:

The manufacturer expected your Yaris to be a tin can after 14 years. In other words 0w 20 may be suitable for a newish engine, but it probably now needs a 40 weight, e.g. 10w 40.

Thanks. Would 10w 40 be better for the engine or would it just save me having to top up?

[Yazza54]

Slowboathome said:

Olivera said:

The manufacturer expected your Yaris to be a tin can after 14 years. In other words 0w 20 may be suitable for a newish engine, but it probably now needs a 40 weight, e.g. 10w 40.

Thanks. Would 10w 40 be better for the engine or would it just save me having to top up?

Possibly both. I would try this.

[steveo3002]

id work my way up the grades until its use is acceptable , my aygo book shows a range of oils that are acceptable 5/30 or 5/40 should work okay ....the first number like 0 or 5 is how it behaves in the cold so try and keep that low for winter starting

[Yazza54]

You can get 0w40 if you want to keep the cold viscosity the same. I'd probably go for 5w40.

[Belle427]

just stick any old 10/40 semi in it.

[V8 Animal]

Duckams

[E-bmw]

Belle427 said:

just stick any old 10/40 semi in it.

Or new would be better than old.

[Slowboathome]

Charlie Croker mk2 said:

if you get blue smoke on the overun ( When you press the throttle after going downhill ) then its likely the valve stem oil seals have gone hard . Very cheap parts but labour intensive to fit .

If blue smoke when you are driving ? = new piston rings , new engine or new car required .

Does it leak oil , no its a Toyota LOL

Temp solution for the next 2-3 hundred thousand miles is full synthetic 10w40 even 5w30 is far to thin for this engine .

Edited by Charlie Croker mk2 on Tuesday 12th December 23:25

Thank you. It's blue smoke on the overun, so I guess I just need to keep topping up the oil.

The car has done 99,000 miles in 14 years - mainly short journeys. Why have the seals gone hard?

[Hustle_]

You're sure the oil isn't leaking out or finding its way into the engine due to a crankcase ventilation issue?

Keep it fully synth. If you have ruled out the above I'd go 5w-30.

10w- a bit drastic.

[Hustle_]

Also, italian tune-up.

[Hustle_]

Also somebody should ask how often / how much oil you're putting in. Oil consumption may not be 'excessive'.

If you're a bit keen with the top-ups, i.e. trying to keep it on the MAX line all the time, it may be worth letting it get down to 1/2 way down the range and seeing if the consumption settles down. See if it finds its level (obv don't let it drop off the bottom of the dipstick) If it's breathing it might just prefer a lower oil level.