3 Best Oils For A Toyota Camry [With Other Oil Changing Tips!]

The oil is often referred to as the engine’s lifeblood. Because there are so many options, it can be difficult to choose the best one. We can assist you if you own a Toyota Camry and want to know the best oil options for its engine. We thoroughly researched this popular vehicle so you’ll know which ones to consider.

SAE 0W-16 fully synthetic motor oil should be used in the Toyota Camry. The three best engine brands for this car are:

• Toyota Genuine Motor Oil
• Mobil 1 Full Synthetic 
• Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic

Now that we’ve determined the three best oils for a Toyota Camry, let’s look at the advantages of each. You may also be wondering how long synthetic oil lasts in a Camry or what the symptoms of an oil change are. Read on to see what we discovered in our research to find out the answers to these questions and more.

The Three Best Toyota Camry Motor Oils

There are probably more motor oil brands available than we can count. According to experts, the grade is the most important aspect of the selection process, but certain brands are formulated to be better fits for specific model engines.

Using the incorrect grade can have serious consequences, which we’ll discuss later in this post. Assuming you’ve chosen the recommended 0W-16 oil for your Camry, we can narrow down your options by providing information on the three best brands available for this popular car’s engine.

Genuine Toyota Motor Oil

The first brand recommended by the manufacturer is one that is specially formulated for its engines. Toyota Genuine Motor Oil was designed to be effective in both cold and hot temperatures. It also does the best job of cleaning the engine while lubricating it, removing harmful carbon buildup and other gunk.

Full Synthetic Mobil 1

Though not the best option, Mobil 1 is an excellent substitute. If the top choice isn’t available, this brand will keep an engine running smoothly for 10,000 miles and should be considered. It also claims to have excellent fuel economy in cold weather.

Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic Lubricant

Finally, Valvoline offers a fully synthetic option. Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic engine oil, a long-trusted brand, uses antioxidants to help prevent the oil from breaking down when the temperatures outside are hot or cold.

Valvoline’s oil, like those from Toyota and Mobil 1, will keep your engine running at peak performance by reducing friction and removing sludgy deposits.

How Long Does Synthetic Motor Oil Last In A Toyota Camry?

If you’ve owned a vehicle for a long time, you’re probably aware that regular oil changes are one of the most important parts of the recommended maintenance schedule.

No matter how tough an engine is built to be, it will need to be lubricated and cooled to function properly. Failure to change the oil on time will result in costly damage to your vehicle’s most important component.

If you use synthetic oil, you will need to change your oil less frequently than if you use conventional oil. Depending on the model of vehicle, fully synthetic oil can last up to 10,000 miles between changes.

When fully synthetic oil is flowing throughout the engine of the Toyota Camry, you can expect it to go 10,000 miles between oil changes.

What Are the Symptoms of an Oil Change?

If you strictly adhere to the factory-recommended Camry maintenance schedule, you will most likely not notice any telltale signs that your oil is nearing the end of its useful life. But life happens, and sometimes we forget to service our cars when they are ready.

When it comes to oil, some noticeable signs will appear when it is time to change it. The longer you drive without changing it, the more noticeable these signs become, and the more long-term damage you do to your vehicle.

The Oil Or Check Engine Light Will Illuminate

A properly lubricated engine will run with adequate oil pressure. As time passes, the level of oil will fall, resulting in a drop in oil pressure. This causes your instrument panel’s check engine or oil light to illuminate.

Your Fuel Economy Will Suffer

The more fuel an engine consumes to keep running, the harder it works. If you don’t change your oil, carbon deposits and other gunk will clog the engine’s moving parts, preventing it from running efficiently. As a result, the engine becomes hotter and consumes more energy.

Regular oil changes will result in fewer miles per gallon. If you notice a decrease in your fuel economy, it may be time to change your oil.

You Notice The Oil Is Thick And Grainy

The oil works to remove buildup from inside the engine. The oil sweeps away this gunk as it flows through it, preventing it from interfering with the engine’s operation.

However, oil can only do so for so long. This buildup will eventually slow the oil down and darken its color. Pay attention to the color and consistency of the oil when checking the level with the dipstick.

While dark oil may be fine, if it is thick and appears sludgy, it is time to change it.

You Can Hear The Engine Make Strange Noises

The oil lubricates all of the engine’s moving parts. When the oil level is too low or too contaminated, the parts will grind together. As you can imagine, this can result in some unsettling noises coming from under your hood.

Furthermore, going too long between oil changes can result in the dreaded engine knocks. So make sure to change your oil at the proper intervals!

Is it possible to use a different grade of oil in a Toyota Camry?

The factory-recommended grade 0W-16 should be used in newer Camry models. However, in a pinch, it is acceptable to substitute it for a close substitute.

Toyota insists that if 0W-16 cannot be found, 0W-20 will suffice. However, they also encourage you to return to the recommended grade the next time you have your oil changed.

What Happens If You Use the Wrong Engine Oil?

Using the incorrect grade of oil can have serious consequences. The grade refers to the viscosity, or thickness, of the oil.

If the oil you use is too thick for the engine, it will not effectively lubricate and cool the engine. This will wear out the engine’s moving parts over time, potentially rendering it unrepairable.

Too thin oil will seep out of the gaskets and leak out of the engine. This reduces the oil level, the oil pressure, and the performance of your engine.

The proper grade of oil will remove buildup from the engine. Too thick or too thin oil will not flow properly, leaving much of what it was intended to remove in place and in the way.