scubapr

Thanks! My first 2 changes were done to get out most of the initial engine break-in wear metals (Iron, Copper, Si). As soon as I get my new report I'll compare the metals reduction given the almost same 1,300mi interval. I'll probably keep under the severe conditions 5k/6M int. unless I'm under 2,000mi oil @ 6M then 1yr.

hotwings

Project Farm performed tests to see if it was ok to go a full year without changing oil My take-away was that I will keep changing oil every 12 months when driving low miles and not sweat it if I go even longer.

LeX2K

Has there ever been a correlation with doing oil chemistry tests and maintaining good engine health? Let's say you test every oil change, that one time you looked at the results and realized, oh snap I have to change my oil more often. Well by then it is too late isn't it.

ESh

Oil can easily handle the 10000 mile mark but these days the engines have a new problem and it is called oil dilution (especially the engines with high compression/direct injection/short trips). The engine will wear out very easily. The other problen is the small particles in oil which can wear the chain and other components because they are abrasive.

scubapr

I think exactly like that.^^^^ I'm sure these new oils should last 10-15k+ miles easily but fuel dilution and metals during break-in period could be an issue on the long term. There should also be an "Engine Hours" odometer on cars so you change oil at X hrs or X miles whichever come first. In traffic the mileage is low but the engine is still running (not necessarily on hybrids) thus degrading the oil. Perhaps this is why the "Severe Conditions" in the manual specifies 6mo or 5K mi.

Based on the BlackStoneLabs study, my guess is that if I only do 5k miles in 2 years, technically the oil should be in similar wear-in condition as 5k in 6 months. Apparently now days, engines doesn't allow oil moisture easily. So in theory I could change my oil every 2 years in a similar scenario; although fuel dilution will be higher due to low millage use.

Of course, my car is new and has complementary services (free) for 4 years. So every 12 months or 10k mi they will change the oil for free for the next 4 years. I would only need to pay for those intermediate 6mo/5k oil changes; and it's cheap insurance for a long keeper. Anyway, I'm still wandering if I arrive at the 6mo/5k interval with only 2-3k (hybrid miles) in the oil will that change still make sense.

alextv

I agree with a whole lot of what is being said here but does it make a difference. Rings, bearings, seals and anything oil touches is affected with rings bearing the brunt of a neglected engine which can be seen by cars burning oil going down the road. In the oil days it was quite common to see smoke coming from cars almost every day. Today I think I may see 1 every 2 months and I am sure it is a small percentage that change there oil early out of the thousands of cars I see everyday. Technology is what changed this.
My personal experience is with two other vehicles besides my 2020 ES300h. I still have my 2001 LS430 UL with 185000 miles and valve cover leaking slightly but no burning oil and between oil changes only down around 3/16 inch. Gas mileage on highway is 25 down from 26 only because switched to 87 octane gas years ago. Performance is exactly the same as when I switched fuel. My 2008 Tundra has 148000 miles with very little visible change on dip stick between oil changes. Performance and gas mileage have stayed consistent after break in period. I use manufacturers recommendations. When I say no burning oil I mean no apparent evidence because there is always a minute amount that slips by.

xmlstarks

Understand, just quoting Toyota's factory warranty by mistake. Lexus is higher for a reason and we pay for it. LOL

Oro

Ah! I missed that this was early miles. My bad stepping in late. You are very smart to do that. If I bought a new car I’d change at 500, 1500, and then go on my regular OCI. There is very solid science on this (not necessarily exactly what I said, but a few very early changes). There was a white paper on this with a big-city Bus fleet who did this (I think it as Sacatomatoes but I may be wrong). Huge difference in reliability once those vehicles where miled-up. I sadly did not bookmark it; I think it was in the Journal of Machinery Lubrication (yes, that’s a real thing) about 10 years ago.

Good for you, smart stuff.

Wilson2000

I have 120K miles on my 2001 Tundra. I've done synthetic oil changes with premium filters every 5K miles, or 12 mo. I never take short trips, or even move a vehicle a short distance, without driving it up to operating temp. I replaced the Tundra's valve cover gaskets recently and was pleasantly surprised to find the valve train looked shiny-brand-new, and there was zero varnish inside the covers. I burn no oil between changes and the 2UZ runs and revs like a dream. Not bad for a 23-year-old truck!

I expect this kind of outcome from a Toyota or Lexus that gets regular maintenance. I've been driving Toyotas since 1980 and Lexus vehicles since 2011, and have stuck with 5K oil changes. So far, none of these vehicles have ever noticeably burned any oil. My Honda and Chevy, on the other hand, burned oil in spite of 5K changes!

Toyota has accomplished an incredible feat in designing and building engines that don't burn oil. One simply has to do their part to maintain their Toyota/Lexus to reap the benefit.

E46CT

To be fair, there are Toyotas that do burn oil. Ask a lot of the 2006-2014 Camry guys. CCN did a video on this.

To be fair again, you'll have lots of guys from all sorts of brands who both swear their car doesn't burn oil and those who say they do. Including Honda, who makes great engines.

But your point taken is changing your oil frequently is always better than not, regardless of brand. These oil threads on all brands always go forever because it's one issue guys can latch onto and have control over. On the BMW boards I was on, these threads would go on forever and ever. LOL.

It's simple though.

Change oil more>change oil less. Only downside=extra cost of the oil. I go with this method (if I drive an ICE car) because time machines don't exist!

MAMOSKO

Related to topic. What is your opinion? I have a 2022 ICE ES350. Picked it up in late 2022 with 1,800ish miles. Had the complimentary oil changed in March 2023 (1 year from when car was sold to first owner) with approximately 2000 miles on the odometer. Not a daily driver by any stretch. It's now March of 2024 and the car has 2,800 miles on it (800 miles in the last year). Would you recommend an annual oil change regardless of miles?

Shaboom

Absolutley yes. Not because of the miles but because of the passage of one year. Waiting past that one year point could be used by Lexus to invalidate your warranty. 10,000 miles or one year, which ever comes FIRST. I personally do 5,000 miles or 6 months, which ever comes first but that’s a personal thing. Get your oil and filter changed ASAP.

xmlstarks

From consumer reports: It’s not just about miles: If you don’t drive your car a lot, your oil still needs to be kept fresh. Even if you drive fewer miles each year than your automaker suggests for changing the oil (say, 6,000 miles, with suggested oil-change intervals at 7,500 miles), you should still be getting that oil changed twice a year.

Note: TWICE per year.
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars...ice%20a%20year.

grp52

You're ignoring the overriding context in that article:
The XXXX Lexus ES 350, ES 250 Warranty and Services Guide has the detailed information the article advises you to follow for oil change intervals - special operating conditions: every six months or 5,000 miles which ever comes first; otherwise: every 12 months or 10,000 miles which ever comes first.

Since the Lexus Services Guide includes time intervals for oil changing that covers Consumer Reports' "keeping the oil fresh" advisement.

Wilson2000

I agree, but only because the vehicle is still under warranty. I have several vehicles past warranty that only get 2-3K miles per year, and I feel a one-year interval is fine. That said, I never take short trips or move my vehicle even a few feet without driving it to operating temperature, so I never have much condensation building up in my crankcase (which contaminates the oil). Too, I only use the best synthetic oils and premium filters.