Optional Engine Oil Weights Changed for 2017+ (2020)
 

After attending a few HPDEs with two other cars, I have been hooked. I found the BRZ to be a great fit when wanted a lighter rwd car. I do not like to modify my cars beyond whats necessary (pads/fluids/tires/alignment) and I am not chasing seconds; I push but am fine to to back off if anything gets toasty.

My 2020 BRZ manual looks different than others I've seen online. When looking for oil on online parts stores - using 2017+ 86/BRZ - shows a different selection of oil weights than pre 2017. I can guess why the change was made (emissions/economy reasons), but I haven't found information on mechanical/manufacturing differences where using a heavier weight oil (5w-30) is dangerous, or that the engine handles higher temps using 0w-20 better than previous designs.

Any insights would be appreciated as I think running 5w-30 for HPDE would be better than 0w-20 (which is what I've seen in numerous older posts with older versions of the twins). Thanks!

Pic from my 2020 BRZ manual:
https://i.imgur.com/F6pWoeZ.jpg

I think all the US manuals spec the same 0W20. I just had a look at my 2013 manual with only 0w20 mentioned. I believe outside the US owner manuals specs higher weight oil for heavy use.


From the Saudi Arabia sold owner manual.



https://i.imgur.com/c02fJSW.jpg

Thank you for sharing. It does seem to be non-US spec cars mention other oil weights as options as well as specify using heavier oil weights if operating in severe conditions.
My US manual and service book only mention servicing the car 2x as often if operating under severe conditions.
Since the motors appear to be the same, globally, I feel pretty ok using 5w30.

i do run amazon 5w30 in the summer because when i go out to autocross or take it on pocono it gets really hot. all my oil tests have come back saying i could get way more out of the oil than 6k too. i have a 2017

That doesn't say anything about higher weight oil for heavy use.
It says the same thing as the one in the post above it, "Should replace 5W-20 with 0W-20 on the next change.".

To clarify - you tracked and autocross and drove your car 6K miles and got analysis back that was good? Do you use an oil cooler or is everything motor-wise stock? Just wanted to get the details since it does make a difference.

I mean at this point changing the oil at 6mo/6k miles is a matter of keeping warranty.

This is right - even in the warranty and service booklet in the USA, there is no mention of using heavier weight oil or different oil. Someone in another group showed their 2013 BRZ USA manual and it is identical in graphics/text as my 2020 BRZ manual for the oil.

May be due to the relative availability of 0-20wt in some countries or stations out at the end of nowhere.
I know I'd never seen 0-20 previous to getting the twin in 2013.
Probably because I'd never been looking for it, but it was certainly thin on the shelves too.

Put in what you can at the time, but change out when you get back from Tatooine seems to be the recommendation.

Canadian 2014 FR-S here. My manual says the same thing as yours and does not specify which oil weights you can use, just that you can use higher weights:

"An oil with a higher viscosity (one with a higher value) may be better suited if the vehicle is operated at high speeds, or under extreme load conditions."


I've been running 5W-30 throughout the whole life of the car, 6.5 years and 140,000kms later...

0w40 from day one. Second 86. Mixed daily and track use. 120,000kms on 86 2.0, and UOAs always come back sound.

in the previous 2 years it was just autocross on 6k. i started with 2k, sent it in to get tested and they said i could try 4k. i sent it in at the end of the season with 4k they said 6k. Next year i did 6k on autocross and sent it in and they said try 7k. I change my oil every 6k so thats where im staying.


edit: also i DD it with e85 in the summer




No i have no oilcoiler but i would HIGHLY recommend it if tracking. even with 5w30 you can only get a few laps in before the oil it way to hot and you got to pullover to cooldown. even with just autocross it gets hot as fuck

Really appreciate the detailed response. I'll keep an eye on temps. I don't want to really mod the car. I'm fine doing cool down laps or pulling off track early - to some extent. Wish me luck that the days I go to track it's foggy and 60 degrees F. lol.

I have heard (though not confirmed) that using a heavier weight oil can cause higher oil temps.
Anyone have any data/thoughts on that?
I found that Mobil1 makes an 0w30. So I'm trying that since the manual is so anal about sticking with a '0' on the cold viscosity.

A heavier oil may run a higher temperature, but it may also maintain a higher viscosity and therefore pressure than a lighter oil at a slightly lower temperature. You can never really have the full story unless you’re looking at both temperature and pressure.

Heavier oil has higher thermal capacity.
People saying the, "the oil is too hot" without actually quoting any temps are hard to take seriously.
Modern synthetics have not problems sustaining 260-270 degrees Fahrenheit.
I run sustained 270 degrees for up to half an hour on Mobil1 0w40 and I have 120,000kms of mixed daily/track use on this engine without a single hiccup.