Oil
Asked by Abhi12345 Sep 05, 2016 at 01:58 PM about the 1999 Toyota Camry
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
Hi i have a 1999 camry, and the mechanic looking
after my car told me to top up oil with 20w 50 oil.
However i know the recommendation is 5w 30. I
live in daytona beach. And have no idea what to
do. I slightly topped the oil with the 20w 50
3 Answers
I'd find another mechanic. Adding 20w50 to a car that requires 5w30 is not good advise.
You live in a hot climate, much like Australia. There, the same car is specified for thicker oil since there is no government gas mileage regulation ( CAFE) as there is here. I'd use Rotella T6 in 5 W 40. One of my Camrys, a 99 I4, has gone 350K on that oil. It's "synthetic" and Wallyworld carries it in 4 quart jugs for about 20 bucks. 20W 50 might be a bit of overkill, although since there is a pressure relief valve as part of the oil pump system there is no danger of "excess oil pressure" causing a problem. If you have worn piston rings, valve guides, or valve seals no oil is going make much of a difference.
Living in Daytona, i would be running a 10w-30 full synthetic year round
