The Motor Oil Geek's recommended engine break-in & oil change frequency + oil analysis on the factory engine oil (2024+Tacoma 4th gen)

[32spoke]

Are you sure the engine is identical?

Yes, they are. Toyota is not making a different variant just for North America

Are you sure the engine is identical?

not identical, as even the engine blocks themselves vary from coil spring to leaf spring rear suspension- no joke.
But the T24A-FTS engines are assembled at various locations as the engine is utilized on multiple platforms.
Oil control valve fits more than one engine
for Toyota/Lexus engines. Operates VVT operation on the intake camshaft to advance and retard camshaft timing
The oil control valve, fits various Toyota engines, the VVT solenoid also fits various Toyota engines. Oil pump is special to the T24a-fts engine. On one of these other Toyota engines, Toyota specs 0w8 oil. On another engine, Toyota changes the oil spec from
0w20 to 0w16 oil-only difference, the model year of the engine.
Turbocharger is specific for the engine, but same for various Toyota models with the same t24a-fts engine. -0w8 viscosity on one of those vehicles.

Crankshaft sprocket is exclusive to the North American built Tacoma t24a-fts engine. Oil related components are shared on other engine families with different oil viscosity specs. Engine was revised from its original spec to strengthen it for the Tacoma.

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[Crazy Mary’s Husband]

Yes, they are. Toyota is not making a different variant just for North America
not identical, as even the engine blocks themselves vary from coil spring to leaf spring rear suspension- no joke.
But the T24A-FTS engines are assembled at various locations as the engine is utilized on multiple platforms.
Oil control valve fits more than one engine
for Toyota/Lexus engines. Operates VVT operation on the intake camshaft to advance and retard camshaft timing
The oil control valve, fits various Toyota engines, the VVT solenoid also fits various Toyota engines. Oil pump is special to the T24a-fts engine. On one of these other Toyota engines, Toyota specs 0w8 oil. On another engine, Toyota changes the oil spec from
0w20 to 0w16 oil-only difference, the model year of the engine.
Turbocharger is specific for the engine, but same for various Toyota models with the same t24a-fts engine. -0w8 viscosity on one of those vehicles.

Crankshaft sprocket is exclusive to the North American built Tacoma t24a-fts engine. Oil related components are shared on other engine families with different oil viscosity specs. Engine was revised from its original spec to strengthen it for the Tacoma.

You would be fine on startup using any of the mentioned oil weights as they are all Zero. 5w oil will not flow fast enough at the rate programmed and over time will kill the turbo bearings. European and N.A. Vehicles are programmed didferently.

 

[TacoFreak]

Crankshaft sprocket is exclusive to the North American built Tacoma t24a-fts engine. Oil related components are shared on other engine families with different oil viscosity specs. Engine was revised from its original spec to strengthen it for the Tacoma.

I had not been considering that, but when the 4th gens were introduced Sheldon Brown said that the engines were built to Toyota's higher industrial standards. So there must be many small differences between our engines and the engines in other applications.

 

[32spoke]

Yes,

I had not been considering that, but when the 4th gens were introduced Sheldon Brown said that the engines were built to Toyota's higher industrial standards. So there must be many small differences between our engines and the engines in other applications.

No argument there, but some of the engine components are shared with other engine platforms. Also, turbo chargers prefer a maximum oil pressure of 40-45psi under high demand. The engine oil pump can exceed this-oil control valve relates to this restriction to reduce pressure. The volume difference on a cold start is minimal in moderate temps. Also, the Garret turbo website doesn’t recommend a 0w20 oil for any of their turbo chargers. No doubt that Toyota has performed enough research to use the 0w20, and I am not telling anyone to do what I am, just my opinion.. and regarding oil viscosity- have a look at that Chevy 6.2 v8 engine oil change, to mobil1 0w40 super car oil.. I couldn’t even restock it since GM was taking all of the oil production to change to oil spec in these engine that were deemed at risk, oil geek guy test the 0w8 oil for that same 6.2 engine on behalf of GM- for the desire for improved cafe ratings/mileage, which I strongly believe the only reason for 0w20

 

[Sagebrush]

The oil control valve, fits various Toyota engines, the VVT solenoid also fits various Toyota engines.

Are you sure it's the same part in all markets, for all of these engines?

 

[32spoke]

Only Toyota will know this.. I guess I can try to find a European Toyota parts website… but the oil valve is about reducing flow after startup, to reduce pressure and volume AFTER initial startup. If I was living in Winnipeg, I would use 0w20 or have an engine block heater. I live in the SF Bay Area, where if we see 32 degrees, it would be for maybe three times a year

 

[Sagebrush]

Only Toyota will know this..

Did you watch the Car Care Nut's Youtube I posted above?

 

[32spoke]

Did you watch the Car Care Nut's Youtube I posted above?

Yes, twice.. first time when Lake Speed Jr first posted the video on YT, then just now when you asked.

 

[shackley]

Yeah, he knows the subject, but I’ve never taken his advice. That’s after multiple vehicles and hundreds of thousands of miles. I’ve never pre-filled filters, and I’ve often gone 10,000 miles between oil changes. I've probably used every brand out there. The result? Engines that run perfectly with zero issues.

For the folks changing oil at 500, 1,500, or 3,000 miles and sending out samples for analysis—what’s the plan if the results aren’t great? Change it every 1,000 miles? If you're that worried, just change it every 5,000 and move on.

Then there's the whole “cheap insurance” or “peace of mind” argument. Insurance from what, exactly? That logic makes it sound like skipping a super frequent schedule means your engine is doomed.

Everyone’s got their own way. Spend as you see fit. My trick? Good oil and filters. I know, living on the edge.

Pretty much what I've done since I first started driving in 1965 (Tracked vehicle repairman, USMC/Ordnance Vehicle Maintenance Officer, USMC 1968-1978). I do change oil more often than 10,000, somewhere between 5000 and 10,000.

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