Prius Oil Cap

Prius Oil Cap

If you own a late model Toyota, the type of oil your vehicle takes will be written on the oil cap.  These are (unless you own an LFA, in which case good for you) 5w30, 5w20 and synthetic 0w20 weight oils.  Introduced in 2006 in the 2006 Rav4 4-cylinder (2AZ-FE) engine, 0w20 is used in almost all new Toyota and Lexus products (save the LFA, which takes 34-38 quarts of 15w-50 Mobil 1 per oil change).  For older engines, Toyota announced 5w20 oil is backward compatible.  The slightly thinner oil provides a small increase in fuel economy and reduces emissions.

Per Toyota service bulletin T-TCI-2449, you may use ILSAC GF-4 SAE 5w20 in the following US specification engines:

  • 1AZ-FE 2.0L
  • 2AZ-FE 2.4L
  • 2AZ-FXE 2.4L
  • 1GR-FE 4.0L
  • 2GR-FE 3.5L
  • 2GR-FXE 3.5L
  • 1MZ-FE 3.0L
  • 3MZ-FE 3.3L
  • 1NZ-FE 1.5L
  • 1NZ-FXE 1.5L
  • 2UZ-FE 4.7L
  • 1ZZ-FE 1..8L

Per Lexus service bulletin EG006-06 you may use ILSAC GF-4 SAE 5w20 oil in any Lexus equipped with an above-listed engine in addition to the:

  • 2GR-FSE 3.5L
  • 3GR-FSE 3.0L
  • 4GR-FSE 2.5L
  • 1UZ-FE 4.0L
  • 3UZ-FE 4.3L
  • 2JZ-FE 3.0L
  • 2VZ-FE 2.5L
  • 3VZ-FE 3.0L

Toyotas equipped with a 2JZ, 2VZ or 3VZ do not meet the requirements to be compatible with 5w20 weight oil.  Only those engines from Lexus are approved for 5w20 weight oil.

For all other engines, CARspec recommends you follow the recommendation in your owner’s manual for oil weight and quality. This will also be on the oil cap for your vehicle.

CARspec stocks all three oil weights in bulk, allowing for quick oil changes on almost any Toyota or Lexus.  As Eden Prairie and Chanhassen’s Toyota and Lexus specialist repair shop we hope to see you for your next oil change!