QuestionHello Tim,
I Live in Fort Lauderdale, FL (80 degrees temperature) and have a Corolla '94, 1.6 liters, Japan-made, 4-door sedan with 120k miles. The car is in excellent condition, b/c I don't drive a lot, and always drive respecting speed limit, do the maintenance as scheduled, and treat it like a princess.
My problem is that I have asked several people what the thickness for engine oil should I use for my car, and I have had many different answers.
Generally people tell to use 40 after 100k miles, but an expert claiming 20 yr experience working for Toyota told me once that for my model, I should always use 10/30 no matter what the mileage. Some other people tell me to use a mix, and gradually add thicker oil as more miles are put in the car.
I just stopped controlling what oil is put in the car anymore. When I take it for maintenance, I let them put whatever they have. The thing is that I've noticed lately, the Hot/Cold indicator on the dashboard takes longer to go up. I mean, before, I would turn on the car, and in a short while, the needle would leave the Cold position, and after a while driving, it would stay slightly below the center point between Cold and Hot.
Now, when I turn on the car, it takes quite longer for the needle to leave the "C" indicator, and I can drive as long as I want, the needle always stays way below the centerpoint between Cold and Hot points, like a quarter of the way down. Can this be due to the oil that's is too thick or too thin?
Would you please share some light about why the Hot/Cold indicator is behaving different, and what oil should I use?
Happy New Year 2009!
Rick
AnswerRick,
I appreciate very much the fact that you tell me the vehicle type miles, and motor, 95% of the people don't.
10w/30 is what you should use in a Toyota all the time. Up here in Minnesota I use and recommend in the summer and 5/w30 in the winter. Oil won't affect that gage. I would change the thermostat,
its inexpensive and easy to replace, and one of the most neglected
items on a vehicle.
