The oil is often referred to as the lifeblood of your car's engine. Selecting the right one can seem a bit overwhelming, as there are a lot of options available. If you are driving a Toyota Camry and want to know the best oil options for its engine, we can help you. We researched this popular car in depth so you'll know which ones to consider.
The Toyota Camry should be operated with SAE 0W-16 fully synthetic motor oil. The three best brands for this car's engine are:
- Toyota Genuine Motor Oil
- Mobil 1 Full Synthetic
- Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic
Now that we know what the three best oils for a Toyota Camry are, we'll take a look at the benefits of each one. You might also be wondering how long synthetic oil lasts in a Camry or what the signs are that you need an oil change. For the answers to these questions and more, read ahead in this post to see what we've uncovered in our research.
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The Three Best Motor Oils For Your Toyota Camry
There are probably more brands of motor oil available than we could count. Experts maintain that the grade is the most important part of the selection process but that certain brands are formulated to be better fits for certain model engines.
Using the wrong grade can have some serious consequences which we'll look at later in this post. Assuming you've picked the recommended 0W-16 oil for your Camry, we can narrow down your selection by giving you some details on the three best brands on the market for this popular car's engine.
Toyota Genuine Motor Oil
The brand the manufacturer recommends first is one that is specially formulated for its engines. Toyota Genuine Motor Oil was created to work in both cold and hot temperatures. It also works best at cleaning the engine while it lubricates, ridding it of harmful carbon buildup and other gunk.
Mobil 1 Full Synthetic
Though not the top choice, Mobil 1 is a great alternative. This brand will keep an engine running smoothly for 10,000 miles and is one that should be considered if the top choice isn't available. It boasts of maintaining great fuel economy in extreme climates, too.
Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic
Finally, we have the fully synthetic option from Valvoline. A long-trusted brand of engine oil, Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic uses antioxidants to help prevent the oil from breaking down when the temperatures outside are hot or cold.
Like the offerings from Toyota and Mobil 1, Valvoline's oil will keep your engine's performance at its maximum, greatly reducing friction and removing sludgy deposits.
How Long Does Synthetic Motor Oil Last In A Toyota Camry?
If you've owned a vehicle for long, you hopefully know that regular oil changes make up one of the most critical parts of the recommended maintenance schedule.
As tough as an engine is built to be, it will need to be lubricated and cooled to keep it running at its best. Failure to change out the oil promptly will lead to costly damage to your car's most important component.
Synthetic oil will mean less frequent oil changes than if you are using conventional oil. Fully synthetic oil can last upwards of 10,000 miles between changes depending on the model vehicle that you are driving.
When it comes to the Toyota Camry, you can expect it to go 10,000 miles between oil changes when it has fully synthetic oil flowing throughout its engine.
What Are The Signs That You Need An Oil Change?
If you are strict about keeping to the factory-recommended maintenance schedule for your Camry, you most likely will not notice any telltale signs that your oil is near the end of its useful life. But life happens, and sometimes we forget to have our cars serviced when they are ready for it.
When it comes to the oil, some noticeable signs will appear when you are past due for changing it. The longer you drive without changing it, the more apparent these signs become, and the more lasting damage you will do to your vehicle.
The Oil Or Check Engine Light Will Illuminate
An engine that has enough oil will run with the proper amount of oil pressure. The level of oil will drop some as time goes on, creating a drop in oil pressure. This triggers the check engine light or oil light to glow from your instrument panel.
Your Fuel Economy Will Suffer
The harder an engine works, the more fuel it will burn to keep running. If you don't change your oil, the carbon deposits and other gunk will keep the engine's moving parts from operating efficiently. This creates a situation where the engine runs hotter and consumes more energy.
Failure to get routine oil changes will mean fewer miles to the gallon. If you notice a drop in your fuel economy, it might be time for an oil change.
You Notice The Oil Is Thick And Grainy
Oil works to remove buildup from inside the engine. As it flows throughout it, the oil sweeps away this gunk, keeping it from interfering with the engine's operation.
But oil can only do this for so long. At some point, this buildup will begin to slow the oil down and darken its color. When you check the oil level from the dipstick, pay attention to the color and consistency.
While dark oil might be fine, if it is thick and appears to be even a little sludgy, it's way past due for it to be changed.
You Are Hearing The Engine Make Unusual Noises
The oil works to lubricate all the moving parts of the engine. When the oil is too low or too contaminated, it will not keep parts from grinding together. As you might now be able to imagine, this can make some unsettling noises arise from under your hood.
Additionally, going too long between oil changes can lead to dreaded engine knocks. So be sure to get your oil changed at the correct intervals!
Can A Different Grade Of Oil Be Used In A Toyota Camry?
Newer model Camrys should use the factory-recommended grade 0W-16. But in a pinch, it's acceptable to substitute it for one that is close.
Toyota maintains that 0W-20 will be fine if 0W-16 cannot be found. But they also encourage you to switch back to the recommended grade the next time you get the oil changed.
What Happens If You Use The Wrong Oil In Your Engine?
Using the wrong grade of oil can lead to some pretty expensive consequences. The grade refers to the oil's level of viscosity, or thickness.
If the oil you use is too thick for the engine, it will not lubricate and cool the engine effectively. This will damage the moving parts of the engine over time, possibly rendering it too expensive to repair.
Oil that is too thin will tend to seep out of the gaskets, leaking out of the engine. This lowers the oil level, reduces the oil pressure, and keeps your engine from performing properly.
The right grade of oil will carry away buildup from inside the engine. Oil that is too thick or too thin will not flow correctly, leaving much of what it was designed to remove in place and in the way.
Oil Changing Tips For Your Toyota Camry
Your owner's manual will tell you what type of oil to use and when you should get it changed. But there are helpful bits of information that might make this process easier as well as better for your vehicle.
Have Your Oil Changed At The Same Location
Seek a trusted professional to change out your oil when it's due. Whether it's the dealership you bought it from or it's at a local Quik Lube, pick a place you trust and stick to it.
They'll most likely treat you and your vehicle the same way each time, taking the guesswork out of what kind of service you and your Camry can expect.
A good oil change will also include checking other maintenance items, including filter checks/changes, tire rotation, belt inspections, and other important services. Taking your vehicle regularly to a place that has a full checklist is recommended.
Stick With The Same Brand
Your engine will operate better if you use the same brand of oil every time the oil is changed. Slight variations and formulations that exist from brand to brand can impact how well your engine will perform.
Selecting one of the three brands we outlined earlier in this post is recommended. Pick one that you trust and stick to it.
Schedule Your Oil Changes In Advance
Don't wait until just before your odometer exceeds the mileage for your oil's useful life. Pay careful attention to when your oil should be changed, and schedule your oil change appointment ahead of time.
Though many places will take you in without much of a wait, if you are going to a dealership, you might be better off with an appointment.
An appointment helps save you time. It will also mean that you are more likely to get the oil changed at the recommended interval.
Final Thoughts
Several brands of oil will work great in your Toyota Camry. Be sure to always use the correct grade, however, so that you can avoid costly engine damage. Follow your oil change schedule and other factory-recommended maintenance to get the most life out of your Camry. Drive safe!
We hope you found this post informative. For more helpful information, we suggest reading the following posts:
Toyota Camry Vibration When Accelerating: What Could Be Wrong?
Where is the Toyota Camry Made? [The answer may surprise you]