Running 0W-8 Oil in a 333,000-Mile Toyota Camry Leads to Extreme Oil Consumption

Modern Oils in Older Engines: A Risky Experiment

Internal combustion engines have evolved significantly over the past three decades. Many now feature tighter tolerances and are designed to work alongside electric motors to boost efficiency. This shift has led manufacturers like Toyota to recommend increasingly lightweight oil blends. Today’s Camry models leave the factory with 0W-8 oil—the thinnest oil available—replacing older standards like 5W-30 or 0W-20.

What Happens When You Use 0W-8 in a 333,000-Mile Toyota Camry?

A YouTube channel, TooManyToyotas, is documenting the results of this experiment in real time. The host, who previously used the 1991 Camry in autocross events, decided to test 0W-8 oil in the aging daily driver. The outcome has been both predictable and alarming.

The Engine’s Oil Consumption Before the Switch

The Camry’s 2.0-liter, 16-valve 3S-FE engine already had a reputation for oil consumption. Before switching to 0W-8 synthetic oil, the engine burned a quart of oil every 500 to 750 miles.

Rapid Oil Loss with 0W-8 Oil

After driving just 530 miles with the 0W-8 oil, the engine consumed 2.7 quarts. This is particularly concerning given the engine’s total oil capacity is only 4.3 quarts. If the owner continued using 0W-8 oil exclusively, they would need to replace the entire oil supply in under 1,000 miles. The cost of Toyota’s 0W-8 oil is approximately $11.50 per quart when purchased in bulk.

Fuel and Oil Costs Add Up

When new, the 1991 Toyota Camry with the 2.0-liter engine and five-speed manual transmission achieved an average of 26 mpg combined, according to fueleconomy.gov. Over 1,000 miles, the car would consume about 38 gallons of fuel. With the national average fuel price at $4.536 per gallon for regular 87-octane gasoline, driving this Camry with 0W-8 oil would cost over $230 for fuel and oil alone—assuming no loss in fuel efficiency, which is unlikely.

Oil-to-Fuel Ratio Comparable to Two-Stroke Engines

The owner estimates the Camry is consuming 3.5 ounces of oil for every gallon of fuel burned. This translates to a 37:1 oil-to-fuel ratio, similar to the 40:1 or 50:1 mixtures used in mopeds.

Owner Attempts to Mitigate the Problem

The experiment continues as the owner tries to reduce oil consumption using the B-12 Chemtool additive. They have also sent oil samples for laboratory analysis, with results pending.

Why This Experiment Matters

While there are more practical experiments to conduct, the results of this one are undeniably entertaining—and a stark reminder of the challenges of using modern oils in older engines. The outcome highlights the importance of matching oil viscosity to an engine’s design and age.

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