what kind of oil u guys use..?
04-08-02 | 07:15 PM
#1
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,049
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From: Toronto, Canada
what kind of oil u guys use..?
personally..i use 15W-50 in the summer and 5W-30 in the winter...
is the 15W-50 mean more protection in high rpm..?
or does it have a better protection for normal driving..?
is the 15W-50 mean more protection in high rpm..?
or does it have a better protection for normal driving..?
04-08-02 | 07:20 PM
#2
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 575
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From: California
Here's a good article on motor oil:
http://www.vtr.org/maintain/oil-overview.html
I would stick with 5W-30 or 10W-30.
http://www.vtr.org/maintain/oil-overview.html
I would stick with 5W-30 or 10W-30.
Multi viscosity oils are one of the great improvements in oils, but they should be chosen wisely. Always use a multi grade with the narrowest span of viscosity that is appropriate for the temperatures you are going to encounter. In the winter base your decision on the lowest temperature you will encounter, in the summer, the highest temperature you expect. The polymers can shear and burn forming deposits that can cause ring sticking and other problems. 10W-40 and 5W-30 require a lot of polymers (synthetics excluded) to achieve that range. This has caused problems in diesel engines, but fewer polymers are better for all engines. The wide viscosity range oils, in general, are more prone to viscosity and thermal breakdown due to the high polymer content. It is the oil that lubricates, not the additives. Oils that can do their job with the fewest additives are the best.
Very few manufactures recommend 10W-40 any more, and some threaten to void warranties if it is used. It was not included in this article for that reason. 20W-50 is the same 30 point spread, but because it starts with a heavier base it requires less viscosity index improvers (polymers) to do the job. AMSOIL can formulate their 10W-30 and 15W-40 with no viscosity index improvers but uses some in the 10W-40 and 5W-30. Mobil 1 uses no viscosity improvers in their 5W-30, and I assume the new 10W-30. Follow your manufacturer's recommendations as to which weights are appropriate for your vehicle.
Very few manufactures recommend 10W-40 any more, and some threaten to void warranties if it is used. It was not included in this article for that reason. 20W-50 is the same 30 point spread, but because it starts with a heavier base it requires less viscosity index improvers (polymers) to do the job. AMSOIL can formulate their 10W-30 and 15W-40 with no viscosity index improvers but uses some in the 10W-40 and 5W-30. Mobil 1 uses no viscosity improvers in their 5W-30, and I assume the new 10W-30. Follow your manufacturer's recommendations as to which weights are appropriate for your vehicle.
04-08-02 | 10:58 PM
#5
Lexus Connoisseur
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,802
Likes: 534
From: USA
Originally posted by MCV20
but would it hurt if i put in the mobile 1 15W-50 syth....in a 1mz-fe engine..?
but would it hurt if i put in the mobile 1 15W-50 syth....in a 1mz-fe engine..?
04-10-02 | 12:22 PM
#6
Pole Position
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 346
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From: CA
i actually don't know what type of oil firestone is putting in my car, but i had a kuestion.
the manual says to change oil every 7,000 miles and firestone says every 3,000. i only use my car on the highway/freeway so i'm on that schedule B in the manual or something like that.
how often should it be between changes for me? i don't trust my friend when he says.."look at the oil, is it black yet?"
the manual says to change oil every 7,000 miles and firestone says every 3,000. i only use my car on the highway/freeway so i'm on that schedule B in the manual or something like that.
how often should it be between changes for me? i don't trust my friend when he says.."look at the oil, is it black yet?"
04-10-02 | 07:23 PM
#7
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 575
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From: California
j2tha0e,
You'll get answers all over the place with this kind of question.
You can listen to your friends, the oil change industry (more oil changes = more $$$$ for them), or Lexus.
If you do what Lexus recommends, then your type of driving would indicate an oil change every 7500 miles/6 months, whichever comes first.
However, if you're taking it to a place that doesn't use Toyota OEM parts and you don't have much idea about the type and quality of oil and oil filter they're using, I'd do oil changes more often than every 7500 miles.
For example, at the local Arco gas station, I discovered that they use recycled motor oil (which they tried lying about) and, of course, the cheapest oil filter available (which is hopefully at least equivalent to the quality of those $1 Fram filters). In fact, all the gas stations in my area treat the customers like suckers.
People going to these places for oil changes have more potential for engine problems changing their oil every 2000 miles vs. someone who changes their own oil with a quality filter and synthetic oil every 10,000 miles.
As for my '91 LS, it's had its oil changed every 7500 miles (since new) with Valvoline motor oil and the Toyota/Lexus oil filter made in Japan by Denso.
You'll get answers all over the place with this kind of question.
You can listen to your friends, the oil change industry (more oil changes = more $$$$ for them), or Lexus.
If you do what Lexus recommends, then your type of driving would indicate an oil change every 7500 miles/6 months, whichever comes first.
However, if you're taking it to a place that doesn't use Toyota OEM parts and you don't have much idea about the type and quality of oil and oil filter they're using, I'd do oil changes more often than every 7500 miles.
For example, at the local Arco gas station, I discovered that they use recycled motor oil (which they tried lying about) and, of course, the cheapest oil filter available (which is hopefully at least equivalent to the quality of those $1 Fram filters). In fact, all the gas stations in my area treat the customers like suckers.
People going to these places for oil changes have more potential for engine problems changing their oil every 2000 miles vs. someone who changes their own oil with a quality filter and synthetic oil every 10,000 miles.
As for my '91 LS, it's had its oil changed every 7500 miles (since new) with Valvoline motor oil and the Toyota/Lexus oil filter made in Japan by Denso.
Last edited by kreativ; 04-10-02 at 07:38 PM.
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04-11-02 | 11:55 AM
#9
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 37
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From: SoCal
In reply to the original question...
I've driven about 500k on Mobil I with excellent results.
You can get away with 10w-30 in SoCal, but I don't see any benefit unless you are racing .
There is a slight MPG loss with 10w-30 over 5w-30. Also, my oil mileage increases slightly on some high revving cars with 5w-30.
I will continue to use 5w-30 in my '02 ES300.
I've driven about 500k on Mobil I with excellent results.
You can get away with 10w-30 in SoCal, but I don't see any benefit unless you are racing .
There is a slight MPG loss with 10w-30 over 5w-30. Also, my oil mileage increases slightly on some high revving cars with 5w-30.
I will continue to use 5w-30 in my '02 ES300.
04-11-02 | 06:10 PM
#10
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 575
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From: California
hey kreativ, you should check out signal auto on carson avenue near western if you haven't yet. an oil change there is about $30 and thirty minutes but i think it's worth it.
If I'm not having any issues with my car, I buy my own oil and filter and pay a place $8 to do the oil change. Total cost with the Japanese-made Toyota oil filter is under $20.
Or there's a Toyota specialist shop in San Pedro that uses Castrol oil and OEM Toyota filters...costs $25 for an oil change there.
If I'm having some problems with the car that I want checked out, I take it to South Bay Lexus and have them do an oil change for $40. Then they'll check out any problems I'm having.
If I went in there just to have them check out the problems and not do any service, they'd charge me more. Go figure.
SBLexus' oil change price is $50 usually, but since all Lexus service centers' prices are so inflated, they'll gladly match another dealer's pricing. I once asked them how much just the labor was for an oil change, and they said "Well, $50 is our discount price for a complete oil change, so I'm not sure about just labor" Haha. Give me a break.
04-11-02 | 06:19 PM
#11
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 575
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From: California
You can get away with 10w-30 in SoCal, but I don't see any benefit unless you are racing .
But I'm not sure if this reasoning holds up anymore, as motor oils have probably advanced to the point where 5w-30 isn't any more volatile (or whatever it was) than 10w-30.
I've driven about 500k on Mobil I with excellent results.
I've used dino oil in my '91 LS for the past 12 years, with excellent results as well. It's probably not going to be worth it, but I'll switch to Mobil1 in my '02ES with the second oil change.
04-15-02 | 11:54 AM
#13
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
The 500k quoted was on 3 different cars...
I still think 5w-30 is slightly better because it is an "energy conserving" oil and has the stamp on the container. As I said before, I get slightly better mileage with the 5w-30.
aerodyne
I still think 5w-30 is slightly better because it is an "energy conserving" oil and has the stamp on the container. As I said before, I get slightly better mileage with the 5w-30.
aerodyne
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