‘Do I really need special oil for my car?’
The Car Doc advises a new Toyota Corolla owner.
Boston.com Cars is your go-to resource for coverage of local car news, events, and reviews. In the market for a car or truck? Check out our new car specials and used car specials curated by our local dealer network.Q. I just purchased a 2016 Toyota Corolla, and the dealer told me I need to come back for oil changes because of the special synthetic oil. Do I really need to use this special oil? A. Your Corolla, like many new cars, needs oil that meets a certain specification. It is not necessary to use Toyota oil; an oil that meets this specification will do. Looking at oil currently available, synthetic oil is about the only oil that meets the car’s 0W-20 specification as well as the ILSAC GF5 ratings. Because your Toyota requires the oil change yearly or every 10,000 miles, whichever comes first, synthetic oil is actually more cost-effective than conventional oil changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles in other cars.John Paul, AAA Northeast’s Car Doctor, answers questions from drivers every week. He has 40+ years of experience in the automotive business and is an ASE certified master technician.
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