Time or Mileage for Synthetic Oil Change?
12-08-20, 10:48 AM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Time or Mileage for Synthetic Oil Change?
If you only have 7,000 miles at 12 months, do you get your oil changed at 12 months or wait until 10,000 miles? Some websites say you should change oil based on time because the oil breaks down over time. But synthetic oil doesn't break down. Assume normal city street driving only.
12-08-20, 10:52 AM
#2
No question, 12 months.
12-08-20, 10:54 AM
#3
Instructor
Thread Starter
12-08-20, 12:18 PM
#4
Lexus Test Driver
Penny wise pound foolish. So you want to stretch another few months to save how much? And city driving is much worse on the car in general.
12-08-20, 12:49 PM
#5
For almost all car maintenance schedules for oil change its almost always mileage/time and you get the oil changed for whatever comes first. I'm sure this is in the cars service manual.
12-08-20, 12:57 PM
#6
Lead Lap
If you only have 7,000 miles at 12 months, do you get your oil changed at 12 months or wait until 10,000 miles? Some websites say you should change oil based on time because the oil breaks down over time. But synthetic oil doesn't break down. Assume normal city street driving only.
12-08-20, 02:07 PM
#7
Instructor
Thread Starter
It's a free service, so money isn't at issue. My driving is actually suburban, rather than city. No dirt roads. Just wondering if it's overkill to change synthetic oil before the mileage target.
What does the warranty say?
What does the warranty say?
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12-08-20, 02:27 PM
#8
The spec says time or mileage. Whichever comes first. If 12 months comes before you hit 10k miles, well, you know...
12-08-20, 05:54 PM
#9
Lexus Test Driver
12-08-20, 06:54 PM
#10
Lead Lap
If your not hesitant to avoid the service bay due to the current health climate, then I would not skip it. Oil life for synthetic is 1yr regardless of where your driving.
12-08-20, 06:55 PM
#11
Instructor
Thread Starter
12-08-20, 07:22 PM
#12
Instructor
Thread Starter
12-08-20, 07:33 PM
#13
Lead Lap
https://lexus2.custhelp.com/app/answ...nthetic-oil%3F
Lexus vehicles in which 0w-20 synthetic oil is required have been approved for extended oil change intervals of 10,000-miles/12-months. However, you should continue to check the oil level regularly and top off if needed.
Engines that recommend 5w-20 conventional oil, but allow the optional use of 0w-20 synthetic oil, as per the Owner's Manual, will continue to require 5,000-mile/6-month (whichever comes first) oil change intervals if the 0w-20 is used.
If the vehicle operation meets the standard criteria for "Special Operating Conditions" such as: driving off-road, on dirt roads, towing a trailer, making repeated short trips under 32˚F, or extensive idling; the engine oil must be replaced at 5,000 mile intervals, regardless of what type of oil is used.
Engines that recommend 5w-20 conventional oil, but allow the optional use of 0w-20 synthetic oil, as per the Owner's Manual, will continue to require 5,000-mile/6-month (whichever comes first) oil change intervals if the 0w-20 is used.
If the vehicle operation meets the standard criteria for "Special Operating Conditions" such as: driving off-road, on dirt roads, towing a trailer, making repeated short trips under 32˚F, or extensive idling; the engine oil must be replaced at 5,000 mile intervals, regardless of what type of oil is used.
12-09-20, 06:28 AM
#14
The following 2 users liked this post by Mike728:
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12-09-20, 08:17 AM
#15
Lead Lap
Dont get me wrong, I understand that some of us are deferring dealer maintenance during these times for a variety of reasons. Oil changes can be DIYed at home if so inclined.
If you want to understand how long your current engine oil can run, send a sample into a oil analysis company and see what they comeback with. Thats unfortunately really the only true answer.
If you want to understand how long your current engine oil can run, send a sample into a oil analysis company and see what they comeback with. Thats unfortunately really the only true answer.