What Kind Of Oil To Use On A 97?
04-11-03, 08:34 PM
#1
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What Kind Of Oil To Use On A 97?
Hi, I just bought a 97 ES300 with 103,000 miles. What is the best kind of oil to use? High Mileage oil? What viscosity too? Also, what kind of gas should I use? Low, mid or premium? Thanks a lot
04-11-03, 08:57 PM
#2
the viscosity of the oil usually depends on your surroundings. the different temps can affect the fluidity of the oil. (i think)...
i use 10W-30 Royal Purple engine oil in my '93.
but for the gas... always go premium. the cheaper you pay for it, the more it might hurt your engine and life of your car. i would suggest always staying with premium, since that's what is suggested by the car and dealer.
kevin
i use 10W-30 Royal Purple engine oil in my '93.
but for the gas... always go premium. the cheaper you pay for it, the more it might hurt your engine and life of your car. i would suggest always staying with premium, since that's what is suggested by the car and dealer.
kevin
04-11-03, 09:09 PM
#3
you are in MN. Go with Mobil 1 synthetic. 10W30 (green cap -- high mileage formula) Change every 5K.
Go with a qualilty oil filter: Toy/Lexus standard issue, Mobil 1 or K&N Gold. (should run you about $10)
minimum of 91 Octane, but if MN is like MA then 91 is not to be found and you have to choose between 89 and 93. Go with the 93. A bottle of Chevron (w/Techron) FI cleaner won't hurt over the course of the next two or three tankfuls.
Since you don't know the history, a coolant flush and tranny flush may be advisable.
Find out if the timing belt was changed at 90k. Any lexus service should be able to run the VIN and see if it is in the database.
Welcome to CL, tis an awesome place to hang out. Ask anything and everything. Lots of talent and knowledge here.
steviej
Go with a qualilty oil filter: Toy/Lexus standard issue, Mobil 1 or K&N Gold. (should run you about $10)
minimum of 91 Octane, but if MN is like MA then 91 is not to be found and you have to choose between 89 and 93. Go with the 93. A bottle of Chevron (w/Techron) FI cleaner won't hurt over the course of the next two or three tankfuls.
Since you don't know the history, a coolant flush and tranny flush may be advisable.
Find out if the timing belt was changed at 90k. Any lexus service should be able to run the VIN and see if it is in the database.
Welcome to CL, tis an awesome place to hang out. Ask anything and everything. Lots of talent and knowledge here.
steviej
04-11-03, 11:40 PM
#4
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Thanks all. Isn't it bad to change from normal oil to synthetic? I heard it can sieze up the engine. Also, is premium bad in any way? I know on some engines it can be. Thanks
04-12-03, 08:59 AM
#6
you can switch from dino to synthetic anytime you want after the first 5k miles. You can switch back to dino at anytime you want, too. The myth of once you go synthetic you can't return is just that: a myth. It was started by the makers of synthetic to keep their profit margin up.
Synthetic costs a little more, get it when it is on sale. They are all very similar, so it is more of what you prefer. Synthetic offers a longer interval of changing (suggested every 5k or 6 months) as opposed to dinos which should be changed every 3k or 3 months). Synthetics also stay more liquid at lower ambient temperatures. This is very beneficial during frigid winter temps like the winter we just had.
Most synthetics have a high mileage formula that contains additives to rejuvenate seals and gaskets. It will not bring an old cracked seal back to life but it will help to soften and delay hardening of the seals in their current condition.
As mentioned before, always change your oil filter. There is a excellent thread on this club that compares various filters out there. Toyota/Lexus OEM filters have been given the best rating. They run about $10/ea.
You want a filter with an anti-drainback valve in it. The 1MZ-FE engine places the filter in a slanted position down and it is high up on the engine block. The valve will help to keep some oil up top of the engine upon start up.
This is an easy DIY in your driveway. Just be sure to dispose of the oil and used filter properly.
steviej
Synthetic costs a little more, get it when it is on sale. They are all very similar, so it is more of what you prefer. Synthetic offers a longer interval of changing (suggested every 5k or 6 months) as opposed to dinos which should be changed every 3k or 3 months). Synthetics also stay more liquid at lower ambient temperatures. This is very beneficial during frigid winter temps like the winter we just had.
Most synthetics have a high mileage formula that contains additives to rejuvenate seals and gaskets. It will not bring an old cracked seal back to life but it will help to soften and delay hardening of the seals in their current condition.
As mentioned before, always change your oil filter. There is a excellent thread on this club that compares various filters out there. Toyota/Lexus OEM filters have been given the best rating. They run about $10/ea.
You want a filter with an anti-drainback valve in it. The 1MZ-FE engine places the filter in a slanted position down and it is high up on the engine block. The valve will help to keep some oil up top of the engine upon start up.
This is an easy DIY in your driveway. Just be sure to dispose of the oil and used filter properly.
steviej
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