Tacoma Owners Debate Whether Toyota’s Recommended Oil is Really Best

A discussion among Toyota Tacoma owners online has sparked a debate over whether the automaker’s recommended oil is really the best for drivers to use, according to Torque News.

The discussion was prompted by a post in a Facebook group for owners of 2016-2023 Toyota Tacoma trucks, in which a Tacoma owner named Matt Homol shared his experience of switching from Toyota’s recommended Mobil 1 0W-20 oil to Royal Purple 5W-30.

“After switching to Royal Purple 5W-30, the difference is night and day,” wrote Homol. “My truck feels more solid, with less slipping off the line, less gear hunting, and an overall quieter tick. Despite what Toyota and the EPA recommend, I think 5W-30 is the way to go for better performance.”

For Tacoma owners who use their trucks for more intensive purposes like towing, off-roading, or hauling heavy loads, some believe a thicker oil such as 5W-30 can provide extra protection and stability. Interestingly, 5W-30 is even recommended by Toyota for the same engine, in certain markets outside North America.

However, as Homol returned to the post to add, 5W-30 can create more strain on an engine in cold weather, and higher viscosity oils require more force to circulate and can strain the oil pump. He credited any perceived performance improvements with actually being the result of minor changes in VVT-i and timing chain lubrication.

“While switching to 5W-30 can provide a thicker oil film at operating temperatures, reducing valvetrain noise and potentially offering slight improvements in wear resistance under heavy loads, it also increases oil pressure and slightly reduces efficiency,” wrote Homol. “Although 5W-30 is used in some global markets, deviating from the manufacturer’s recommended viscosity can impact long-term engine wear, oil pump strain, and warranty coverage, making it a trade-off rather than a clear upgrade.”