MPG and Oil Brand - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

Xerexyz · 05-30-2019, 10:38 AM

For my car's first oil change, I brought it to Toyota and they filled it with "Bulk" 0w20. I averaged about 29mpg over that time period. My car is a 2017 MT 86 with the 4.3 final drive ratio.

Recently, I changed my oil myself, being wary of what "bulk" meant (despite having a free change available) and went with a decent brand synthetic. (Schaeffer's 9000 0w20) Now I am averaging 35mpg over the last 1k miles.

While there are variables that may be contributing to the change like weather (I'm in the midwest) and driving habits varying. Can the oil really make that much of a difference in MPG? Also the car seems to idle a little better, maybe it's just in my head though.

Has anyone else had similar experiences? My car is mostly just an occasional driver for the weekends or days I don't take the train. I also haven't tracked my car or put any additional mods on it.

radroach · 05-30-2019, 12:49 PM

My take is weather and idle times. You're dumping fuel during a longer cold-start in colder months.

Toyota's 0w20 is reportedly some of the thinnest stock you can get, which should have great MPG's.

Though I've heard that high quality ester base (not sure what Shaeffer's uses) helps oil stick to metal and perhaps quiet it down which may have an effect on reducing friction.

Trueweltall · 05-30-2019, 01:47 PM

I'd be surprised if you see a difference of 0.5 mpg between oil brands.

humfrz · 05-30-2019, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xerexyz

For my car's first oil change, I brought it to Toyota and they filled it with "Bulk" 0w20. I averaged about 29mpg over that time period. My car is a 2017 MT 86 with the 4.3 final drive ratio.

Recently, I changed my oil myself, being wary of what "bulk" meant (despite having a free change available) and went with a decent brand synthetic. (Schaeffer's 9000 0w20) Now I am averaging 35mpg over the last 1k miles.

While there are variables that may be contributing to the change like weather (I'm in the midwest) and driving habits varying. Can the oil really make that much of a difference in MPG? Also the car seems to idle a little better, maybe it's just in my head though.

Has anyone else had similar experiences? My car is mostly just an occasional driver for the weekends or days I don't take the train. I also haven't tracked my car or put any additional mods on it.

I'm figuring that your representative sample is too small and your experiment has a giant experimental error.

humfrz

Xerexyz · 05-30-2019, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by humfrz

I'm figuring that your representative sample is too small and your experiment has a giant experimental error.

humfrz

You're probably right, I need more test points!

mav1178 · 05-31-2019, 01:29 PM

if all variables are equal, same weight oil = same fuel consumption.

you would have to replicate this in a closed, controlled environment to get any meaningful test results.

05-30-2019, 10:38 AM	#1
Xerexyz Member Join Date: May 2018 Drives: 2017 Toyota 860 in Supernova Location: Chicago Posts: 35 Thanks: 6 Thanked 23 Times in 15 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	MPG and Oil Brand For my car's first oil change, I brought it to Toyota and they filled it with "Bulk" 0w20. I averaged about 29mpg over that time period. My car is a 2017 MT 86 with the 4.3 final drive ratio. Recently, I changed my oil myself, being wary of what "bulk" meant (despite having a free change available) and went with a decent brand synthetic. (Schaeffer's 9000 0w20) Now I am averaging 35mpg over the last 1k miles. While there are variables that may be contributing to the change like weather (I'm in the midwest) and driving habits varying. Can the oil really make that much of a difference in MPG? Also the car seems to idle a little better, maybe it's just in my head though. Has anyone else had similar experiences? My car is mostly just an occasional driver for the weekends or days I don't take the train. I also haven't tracked my car or put any additional mods on it.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
SOLD!! Brand new Winmax W2(Front + Rear) + Brand new Centric Rotor (Fronts only)	Alltezza	Brakes, Suspension, Chassis	5	07-03-2018 07:13 PM
Brand new BRZ	Border7	BRZ First-Gen (2012+) -- General Topics	21	07-03-2014 07:35 PM
Brand new FR-S...Brand new problems	RedRydr	Issues \| Warranty \| Recalls / TSB	44	09-11-2012 02:59 PM

05-30-2019, 12:49 PM	#2
radroach Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Drives: car Location: usa Posts: 2,162 Thanks: 1,028 Thanked 867 Times in 530 Posts Mentioned: 35 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	My take is weather and idle times. You're dumping fuel during a longer cold-start in colder months. Toyota's 0w20 is reportedly some of the thinnest stock you can get, which should have great MPG's. Though I've heard that high quality ester base (not sure what Shaeffer's uses) helps oil stick to metal and perhaps quiet it down which may have an effect on reducing friction.

05-30-2019, 01:47 PM	#3
Trueweltall Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Drives: 2016 Subaru BRZ Location: Florida Posts: 394 Thanks: 91 Thanked 195 Times in 115 Posts Mentioned: 4 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I'd be surprised if you see a difference of 0.5 mpg between oil brands.

05-31-2019, 01:29 PM	#6
mav1178 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Drives: 2005 Toyota Camry Location: 91745 Posts: 6,562 Thanks: 493 Thanked 6,093 Times in 3,029 Posts Mentioned: 95 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	if all variables are equal, same weight oil = same fuel consumption. you would have to replicate this in a closed, controlled environment to get any meaningful test results.

User Name		Remember Me?
Password