3.4 L petrol engine oil

[tigershark Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close tigershark]

hello I have an interesting question.

I use Mobil1 oil for my engine lubricant. last year I went to the mobil product data site and printed out the recomeemd oil for the 5VZ-FE V6 . It states very clearly the following oil are recommended.

. Mobil Super 2000X2 10W-40
. Mobil Formula S 5W-30
. Mobil super 1000 20W-50
. Mobil 1 5W-50


When I went to buy oil yesterday for the engine, the sales rep quoted Mobil 1 5W-30. and he clearly showed me the recommended list on the PC. The question I have is, what viscosity oil do most people use on the 3,4 Lt petrol 5VZ-FE V6 engine ?


I understand what the 5W and the 30 stand for and that the 5W-30 will have a different viscosity to the 5W-50, but in Central QLD the summer temps can be between 35C - 40 C.

I would have thought the 5W-50 would be better suited ?


thanks tigershark

[Brett1979 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Brett1979]

Since no one has answered your question yet, I'll let you know what I've used in my car. From 130,000km and for the 80,000 odd km after that I used Penrite 10W-50. Up until 40,000 approx km ago I switched to Penrite 15W-40. I noticed with the 15W-40 the car had slightly more pick-up in 4th gear at highway speed. I'd prefer to use Penrite 10W-40, but simply due to the cost difference between the two I used the 15W-40. The brand obviously comes down to personal preference. I've used Penrite for close to 10 years now.

[Auss15 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Auss15]

I'm a great fan of the Nulon full Synthetic range and since Iv'e had the Prado I have been using the 10W-40

[GreenVX Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close GreenVX]

Hi tigershark,
i also use Penrite but im using the 20w-60 oil in my 5VZ-FE, living up in cairns it seems to have been a pretty good match as we don't get
more than a couple of weeks of below 20 degrees in a year so no waiting for oil to warm up enough. Is good under load too, have just spent the last couple of days exploring the daintree, up and down hills with a full boot.
I have used Valvoline in the past but found the lower viscosity caused problems especially in summer after long drives there would be very low oil pressure hence the switch to a higher viscosity oil.
Its up to you in the end, i'd stick to the 15w-40 if your in a cooler climate and need the lower viscosity on warm up.
Hope this helps you out some.

[adamr7 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close adamr7]

Id recommend Castrol Magnatec 15w 40.

[tigershark Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close tigershark]

Thanks for all the responses. much appreciated. Penrite seems to be popular. I have about 170K on the clock with no issues to date.

Touch wood

[williade Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close williade]

Id recommend Castrol Magnatec 15w 40.

I think Magnatec is 10w 40. IIRC, in Castrol lingo, 15w 40 is branded GTX.

[Davros Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Davros]

Any synthetic blend at 15W-40 would serve you well in that climate with the engine you have.

[james_hbay Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close james_hbay]

i use 20w50 fuchs or penrite i like the thicker viscosity because of higher mileage of the car, i dont like full synthetic oils simply because the engine in my 90 series wasnt designed to run sythetic oils or blends because there simply wasnt options for that 20 odd years ago when the 5vz was in development

[meawls Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close meawls]

My first post on the Prado forum ... yayyy!!

Our car is now over 16 yrs old.

We have used Penrite for probably the past 15 of these. The oil we use from them has had a few title changes over the years, for a long time it was known as "Pedigree", but more lately, HPR 15.

Viscosity is 15W60 ... and temp range will cover most of the Oz mainland. We too lived in Central QLD for most of the time we've had the car - bought it new out there; and a nice stout viscosity is definitely needed there for the summer months.

I think Penrite now recommends a different Oil for our model of Prado - their oils have evolved a lot over the years ... but we have stuck with what we have always used. The only trouble the Prado has ever given us is a failed transfer case seal a few years back ... and mileage has been ridiculously consistent at around 12.5L/100Km (lately around 13 ... but the thing HAS done a couple of Km under 200K now!! - fair go!!). So we must be doing something right!

Would be interesting to be made aware of the impact of the trend lately to use lower viscosity oils over the years ... I guess manufacturing tolerances may have improved ... but for our money, a good viscosity should always be appropriate when the ambient temps go over the 40 mark ... especially in an environment where heavy load accompanies.

Just signed up to buy a new Grand Cherokee (New Prado's simply priced out of market ... and the Jeep reads up as the slightly better car ... duck for cover!!) ... but we all love our dear old Prado so much we simply can't bring ourselves to sell it ... so we will probably stupidly become a 3 car family!!! Will be good for a "don't give a damn how many trees we hit" bush/beach rig for the rest of her years!

...Michael...

[Wazza1978 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Wazza1978]

I just used 10w -50 penrite full synthetic, man I hate changing that oil filter what a crap spot lol

[mrkrinkle Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mrkrinkle]

I just used 10w -50 penrite full synthetic, man I hate changing that oil filter what a crap spot lol

I assume your referring to the 90 series oil filter? I agree wholeheartedly... What a stupid design!

[Wazza1978 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Wazza1978]

yes the 90 series oil filter

[Esses Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Esses]

yes the 90 series oil filter

It's not that bad. I changed my oil & filter today & the filter part took me all of 5 minutes. Took it off from below & replaced it through the wheel-arch - no probs.
The oil I used today was Gulf-Western 15w-50 simply because it was on special. I usually use Valvoline or Castrol but prices have been getting a little ridiculous. It'll be due for another change before our next big trip in October when it'll be pulling our 1-tonne Camper to Fraser Island so for that it'll be getting a very good oil.