Motodeets.com is reader supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you.
Do you own a Toyota Corolla? Perhaps you are considering buying one? If that’s the case you’ll need to know which motor oil available on the market is the best for the Toyota Corolla. Depending on which year model you have, the oil you need may be different, so read through our guide carefully.
The Corolla is one of the most successful cars used around the globe. It was manufactured in 1966, and within just eight years, it became the best-selling car worldwide. Its fame has been increasing day by day, especially due to its reliability and sturdiness. The manufacturers keep the design and features changing, but the things that remains common are it’s durability and comfort.
Motor oils or engine oils are basically base oils with added detergents, anti-wear additives, and viscosity index improving ingredients. The main purpose of motor oil is to add lubrication and prevent friction alongside cleaning the engine, especially from sludge. Motor oils are known to cool the engine by transporting the heat from the moving parts.
Best Engine Oils for the Toyota Corolla
Below you will find our shortlist of the top 5 engine oils for the Toyota Corolla. The selection of the below products is based on a stringent criteria to ensure that you can get the best bang for your buck! You will also find detailed pros and cons listed below each product to help you weigh up your options.
1. Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic SAE 0W-20 Motor Oil
With a viscosity of 0W-20, Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic SAE motor oil is the best pick for Toyota Corolla, which delivers the protection of the engine perfectly by fighting heat, deposits, and wear. The innovative anti-wear additives are meant to provide 50% more protection from wear as compared to industry standards.
The motor oil tends to protect from extremes of temperature, either high or low. Being produced in the US and strictly following all the standards of quality, it is approved by Dexos and API certified. Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic motor oil is not even a blend; it is fully synthetic with superior quality specially designed for hardworking cars.
Features
• API certified and Dexos approved
• Fully synthetic motor oil
• 0W-20 viscosity
• Produced in the United States of America
• Superior quality motor oil
Pros
• Excellent for protection from extremes of temperature
• Better wear protection than others
• Superior quality motor oil with advanced engine performance
Cons
• It can’t be used on diesel engines
2. Castrol Edge Advanced Full Synthetic 0W-20 Motor Oil
Castrol Edge Advanced Full Synthetic motor oil with a viscosity of 0W-20 is the perfect choice for a high mileage Toyota Corolla. The friction is reduced due to its Fluid Titanium Technology which keeps the performance of the engine going well. Leading manufacturers of cars recommend it frequently.
It helps combat the pressure on the engine and plays a vital role in increasing the horsepower and economy of the fuel. It performs perfectly in preventing deposits. Castrol Edge Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil ensures great strength, and the overall performance of the engine increases.
Features
• Fully synthetic motor oil
• Low viscosity
• High engine performance
• Increases horsepower and fuel economy
• Fights extra pressure on the engine
• Meets the needs of leading car companies, including Toyota
Pros
• Protects the engine
• Reduces the friction
• Performance of engine is maintained
Cons
- It can not be used perfectly on gasoline engines.
- Not the cheapest option
3. Toyota Genuine Synthetic 0W-20 Motor Oil
According to the manufacturer, Toyota Genuine Synthetic 0W-20 Motor Oil is the best motor oil for all Toyota Corolla cars but especially for the model cars of 2013 and after.
As Toyota itself makes it and highly recommends it, it improves the functioning of the engine and gives a boost to fuel economy. The label says that the oil is synthetic, but it is a fully synthetic oil.
Features
• Made by Toyota
• Highly recommended by Toyota
• Fully synthetic motor oil
• Improved engine performance
• Boosted fuel economy
Pros
• Improved engine function
• A full synthetic oil
Cons
• More expensive than other motor oils on this list
4. Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy Full Synthetic 0W-20 Motor Oil
For increasing the efficiency of fuel, Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy Full Synthetic 0W-20 Motor Oil is especially well-designed. This motor oil is a blessing if you are willing to save the cost of fuel.
Mobil 1 Advanced Motor Oil works perfectly in both types of conditions, either warm or cool. For saving money with ideal efficiency, this motor oil is one of the best choices to consider.
Features
• Increased fuel efficiency
• Ideal for every temperature
• Fully synthetic motor oil
• Low viscosity of 0W-20
Pros
• Excellent fuel economy and helps to save money
• Ability to increase intervals
• Keeps engine running smoothly
Cons
• Some customers have reported leaking container
5. Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic 0W-20 Motor Oil
Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic 0W-20 Motor Oil is considered one of the best motor oils as it is purely made from natural gas. Pennzoil is the first-ever synthetic motor oil that is manufactured by using natural gas, involving a process that converts this natural gas into base oil. It is a high-quality motor oil. It helps you to save money by adding 550 more miles to the change interval.
The fuel economy is also increased using this motor oil. With carbon neutral as its main variant, it is an ideal choice for people who wish to offset the gasoline engine carbon emission to some extent. With the protection from high temperature and extreme heat, it also provides a faster oil flow even in winters.
Features
• Purely made of natural gas
• Saves money
• Increases fuel economy
• Unbeatable protection for the engine
• Carbon neutral as the main variant
Pros
• Increases intervals
• Keeps the pistons clean for maximum engine performance
• High-quality motor oil protects the engine
Cons
• It can not be used on gasoline engines
6. Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic 5W-20 Motor Oil
With a thicker viscosity compared to the other top five motor oils for the Toyota Corolla, Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic motor oil is an ideal choice for keeping the engine clean and combating sludge and deposits. Delivering 50% more cleaning power than ordinary motor oils, it is perfect for any temperature giving a perfect start even in chilling weather.
However, with high viscosity, the motor oil tends to flow fast. It offers great value for money as well. The premium additives help to reduce friction even in severe driving conditions, and the protection from high temperatures during these rough conditions is excellent. It also plays a vital role in protecting the engine from Low-Speed Pre Ignition (LSPI)
Features
• Thick viscosity of 5W-20
• Faster flow
• Cleaning power
• Fights against sludge and deposits
• The bottle contains an easy pull tab and precision pour spout, making the pouring of the motor oil easier
Pros
• More cleaning power than other motor oils
• Flows faster even with thick viscosity
• Quite a reasonable price
Cons
• Not suitable for some older models
7. Castrol GTX Magnatec Full Synthetic 5W-30 Motor Oil (Best for pre-2009 models)
Models of Toyota Corolla prior to 2009 are best suited to Castrol GTX Magnatec Full Synthetic motor oil. It is a great choice for high mileage cars due to its GDI turbo formula, which tends to keep the engine pristine clean. Giving smooth flow even in tough and extreme conditions, this motor oil is quite affordable. Moreover, it is recommended by Toyota because it is API certified and Dexos approved.
Alongside the protection of your engine, Castrol GTX Magnetic Full Synthetic Motor Oil is known to improve the fuel economy. According to the VH sludge test performed in an industry-standard sequence, this motor oil gives six times better wear protection as compared to other motor oils. It is ideal for heavy traffic, short trips, and all the extremes related to temperature.
Features
• Designed to protect the engine from the moment the car starts
• Fully synthetic motor oil
• API certified and Dexos approved
• Recommended by Toyota
• Flows well in extreme weathers
• Great for high mileage cars
Pros
• Affordable price
• Improves fuel economy
• Full synthetic motor oil that can perform regardless of extreme conditions
Cons
• Not suitable for the newer diesel engines
8. Valvoline High Mileage with Max Life Technology SAE 5W-30 Motor Oil
Valvoline High Mileage with Max Life Technology motor oil is meant for sealing the engine and fixing the existing or potential leak issues. Premium seal conditioners are helpful in treating and preventing leakages.
This motor oil is an excellent choice for a Toyota Corolla that has over 100,000 miles and is susceptible to leakage. The Max life technology in this motor oil ensures thorough cleaning of the engine with extra added detergents.
This is an ideal choice for models prior to 2009. Auto engine breakdown is prevented by the enhanced additives that are ideal in delivering a thick layer of anti-wear film with high durability. The antioxidants in the motor oil have excellent resistance against the breakdown of motor oil in extreme conditions.
Features
• Seals the engine
• Fixes the previous or potential issues of the engine
• Comes with Max life technology
• Resists against motor oil breakdown
• Prevention from auto engine breakdown by anti-wear additives
Pros
• Prevents leakage
• Extra added detergents for cleaning
• Excellent for high mileage cars
Cons
• Not fully synthetic
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which type of motor oil is the best for Toyota Corolla?
Full synthetic motor oil is the best choice to be considered for your Toyota Corolla, according to many tests performed. Synthetic motor oils are quite a bit more expensive than other motor oils as they go through different laborious refinement processes, which increases their functionality and performance.
Conventional oil was considered as standard for early models of Toyota Corolla. However, for recent models, synthetic and synthetic blends can be considered. Overall, the best choice for your consideration is full synthetic motor oil, unless your Corolla is a pre-2009 model.
2. What if I mix synthetic and regular motor oil?
Yes, you can mix them together, just when you have no other choice. Mixing them is not recommended as you will have to face an earlier oil change than before, and this mixing leads to the dilution of beneficial effects of synthetic motor oil.
In fact, many oils are made by mixing as they contain a base oil along with extra additives as per the need. So mixing the oil according to the need of your vehicle is considered OK if you know what you’re doing.
3. Why should I change the motor oil?
Changing the motor oil is one of the most fundamental tasks. The engine is prone to shut down if you’re not changing the motor oil often. Motor oil provides lubrication to the moving parts and prevents them from having too much friction. Changing the motor oil improves the car’s gas mileage, and as the Corolla is already a very fuel efficient car you can squeeze even more performance out of it.
4. Which Viscosity motor oil is best for the Toyota Corolla?
Viscosity plays one of the most important roles when it comes to choosing the right engine oil. For older Corollas (before 2009) you’re going to want to go with a 5w-30 oil. But for the more modern Toyota Corolla (2009 onward) you need to use 0W-20 viscosity oil.
Engine Oil by Vehicle:
Conclusion
For keeping the quality of the engine of your Corolla in good shape, the choice of motor oil should be made with a lot of care. The motor oil affects the engine and, ultimately, the car to a large extent. Several companies offer motor oils of various different features and viscosity, so be sure to read through our guide above in order to find the right one.
Full synthetic motor oils are considered a good choice for your vehicle as they are synthetically packed with additives that enhance the overall functioning and health of your engine. So if your short on time that is a key point to consider.
There is a clear need for an effective motor oil for your Toyota Corolla. Hopefully after reading this article you are equipped with the knowledge you need find the right one that suits your needs.
