Synthetic oil or standard
02-13-10, 07:11 AM
#31
The oil change interval is such a BS - I hear that every car that has oil life sensor runs at least 10K miles between oil changes, sometimes 13K or 15K. And in Europe, some cars have oil change interval of 30000 kilometers - about 20K miles. Using same oil as we do. So, are our engines such crap comparing to what they sell in Europe? Don't think so.
Oil changes are just a cheap insurance against engine failure, that we have to pay for, and a way to drum up business. If you go to the dealer, the additional "checks" are written into service; independent shops will often (some - always) give your car a checkup when you bring it in for oil change.
It still amazes me that people change oil every 3K miles. If you are so concerned about your engine - send the oil after 3K to be analyzed, and see that it still has plenty of life left - even conventional oil.
Oil changes are just a cheap insurance against engine failure, that we have to pay for, and a way to drum up business. If you go to the dealer, the additional "checks" are written into service; independent shops will often (some - always) give your car a checkup when you bring it in for oil change.
It still amazes me that people change oil every 3K miles. If you are so concerned about your engine - send the oil after 3K to be analyzed, and see that it still has plenty of life left - even conventional oil.
But to the question of how long you can run oil before changing. There is not a simple answer. The biggest issue facing oil life is usually condensation in the engine. That is a factor of how often you drive the car, and whether you do very short trips so it never warms up. There are other factors of course - whether you drive in dusty conditions, whether you drive in hot weather and pull a heavy load for instance.
Best thing is to evaluate your driving. My Lexus almost always get's driven long enough to fully warm up. My wife's car gets driven 1/2 mile to work then sits. That is probably the single worst thing for oil other than pulling heavy loads in hot weather.
As to oil filters being the limiting factor - I seriously doubt that. If your oil filter is becoming clogged up with stuff in 10,000 miles, you probably already have bigger problems.
02-13-10, 03:19 PM
#32
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If you use conventional oil, 5k is the recommended mileage frequency before it starts to break down. Conventional oil i'm sure could last longer if youre driving habits are less spirited or don't involve city traffic.
In all of my previous vehicles, every single one I changed my oil 7-10k with Mobile 1 5w30. Some of Mobile1's product line is rated to last over 25k.
The problem is the oil filter, longer you let it sit there and collect the worse off you are.
For those of you who change every 3k miles...I'm just too thrifty and cheap to allow myself to do that AND use full synethic on top of it?
In all of my previous vehicles, every single one I changed my oil 7-10k with Mobile 1 5w30. Some of Mobile1's product line is rated to last over 25k.
The problem is the oil filter, longer you let it sit there and collect the worse off you are.
For those of you who change every 3k miles...I'm just too thrifty and cheap to allow myself to do that AND use full synethic on top of it?
they kind of screwed up, as I said i'd like them to use synthetic but as I drive very little, they said synthetic was a waste anyway. I only do like 5000 miles per year....
02-13-10, 03:21 PM
#33
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I basically agree with this. I've owned many, many vehicles - quite a few of them pretty high performance (I have a Z06 now). I run Mobil 1 in everything except my lawnmower. Why? Because I'm a huge motorhead and it makes me feel good - that's why. Does it offer any tangible benefits? Probably not.
But to the question of how long you can run oil before changing. There is not a simple answer. The biggest issue facing oil life is usually condensation in the engine. That is a factor of how often you drive the car, and whether you do very short trips so it never warms up. There are other factors of course - whether you drive in dusty conditions, whether you drive in hot weather and pull a heavy load for instance.
Best thing is to evaluate your driving. My Lexus almost always get's driven long enough to fully warm up. My wife's car gets driven 1/2 mile to work then sits. That is probably the single worst thing for oil other than pulling heavy loads in hot weather.
As to oil filters being the limiting factor - I seriously doubt that. If your oil filter is becoming clogged up with stuff in 10,000 miles, you probably already have bigger problems.
But to the question of how long you can run oil before changing. There is not a simple answer. The biggest issue facing oil life is usually condensation in the engine. That is a factor of how often you drive the car, and whether you do very short trips so it never warms up. There are other factors of course - whether you drive in dusty conditions, whether you drive in hot weather and pull a heavy load for instance.
Best thing is to evaluate your driving. My Lexus almost always get's driven long enough to fully warm up. My wife's car gets driven 1/2 mile to work then sits. That is probably the single worst thing for oil other than pulling heavy loads in hot weather.
As to oil filters being the limiting factor - I seriously doubt that. If your oil filter is becoming clogged up with stuff in 10,000 miles, you probably already have bigger problems.
02-13-10, 09:45 PM
#34
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I have a question.. My car, 06 GS300 currently has 83k miles on it. I know for a fact it has been serviced at Lexus its WHOLE life and the oil change was always regular... as I assume from reading comments here.
Would any harm come of switching to fully synthetic oil now? At 83,000 miles? Do any precautionary measures need to be taken such as first changing to a synthetic blend then to synthetic.
I am just wondering because it might be an abrupt change from the engine to have regular oil used its whole life cycle and out of no where switching to a synthetic.
Would any harm come of switching to fully synthetic oil now? At 83,000 miles? Do any precautionary measures need to be taken such as first changing to a synthetic blend then to synthetic.
I am just wondering because it might be an abrupt change from the engine to have regular oil used its whole life cycle and out of no where switching to a synthetic.
02-13-10, 10:03 PM
#35
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I use whatever that is recommended for my cars: synthetic for my Mercedes and Evo, conventional for my 350Z and IS350. From my experiences and talking to people, I don't think there's any point in using something that is not recommended.
If you car doesn't required premium grade gasoline....then 87 will do just fine. So why shouldn't engine oil be the same?
If you car doesn't required premium grade gasoline....then 87 will do just fine. So why shouldn't engine oil be the same?
02-14-10, 06:16 AM
#36
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I have a question.. My car, 06 GS300 currently has 83k miles on it. I know for a fact it has been serviced at Lexus its WHOLE life and the oil change was always regular... as I assume from reading comments here.
Would any harm come of switching to fully synthetic oil now? At 83,000 miles? Do any precautionary measures need to be taken such as first changing to a synthetic blend then to synthetic.
I am just wondering because it might be an abrupt change from the engine to have regular oil used its whole life cycle and out of no where switching to a synthetic.
Would any harm come of switching to fully synthetic oil now? At 83,000 miles? Do any precautionary measures need to be taken such as first changing to a synthetic blend then to synthetic.
I am just wondering because it might be an abrupt change from the engine to have regular oil used its whole life cycle and out of no where switching to a synthetic.
Maybe this was for Mercedes. Lexus engines may handle the switch better??
Would love to here from a Lexus Mechanic on the subject of switching to Mobile One when you already have miles with regular oil.
02-14-10, 11:19 PM
#37
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Sewell Lexus in Dallas, they are the best !!! 
You can just drop off you toy at anytime with or without an appointment, they always have a loaner ready for you. Unlike Park Place, they charge $100+ for a regular oil change and no loaner (maybe that is why their waiting area is better)...
Sometimes if you do not have the time to drop off yor toy, they would even have "valet service"; they would come pickup your toy with a flat bed and drop off a loaner for you!!!
Not at Sewell, they know that our time is vary valuable. Maybe that is why they are very well known as "customers for life" dealership!!! 
You can just drop off you toy at anytime with or without an appointment, they always have a loaner ready for you. Unlike Park Place, they charge $100+ for a regular oil change and no loaner (maybe that is why their waiting area is better)...
Sometimes if you do not have the time to drop off yor toy, they would even have "valet service"; they would come pickup your toy with a flat bed and drop off a loaner for you!!!
02-15-10, 04:32 PM
#38
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Sewell Lexus in Dallas, they are the best !!!
You can just drop off you toy at anytime with or without an appointment, they always have a loaner ready for you. Unlike Park Place, they charge $100+ for a regular oil change and no loaner (maybe that is why their waiting area is better)...
Sometimes if you do not have the time to drop off yor toy, they would even have "valet service"; they would come pickup your toy with a flat bed and drop off a loaner for you!!!
Not at Sewell, they know that our time is vary valuable. Maybe that is why they are very well known as "customers for life" dealership!!!
You can just drop off you toy at anytime with or without an appointment, they always have a loaner ready for you. Unlike Park Place, they charge $100+ for a regular oil change and no loaner (maybe that is why their waiting area is better)...
Sometimes if you do not have the time to drop off yor toy, they would even have "valet service"; they would come pickup your toy with a flat bed and drop off a loaner for you!!!
Not at Sewell, they know that our time is vary valuable. Maybe that is why they are very well known as "customers for life" dealership!!!
BTW - When I had a BMW I met a lady who came all the way from Amarillo to service her Bimmer. She said most of the time, she just called and the dealer in Ft Worth would send a flat bed to pick up her car and leave her another Bimmer for her use. This time she came, dropped her car and got a loaner to go shopping and meet with friends at a local restaurant. Good to know good service a customer relations is still alive in these parts!
02-15-10, 06:23 PM
#39
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I bought my GS not to long ago with high miles, did a ton of research and found nothing that really separates synthetic to regular (with the exception of longer intervals for oil changes and better engine coating for when the car sits for longer periods of time or cold starting), but most of that could be hear-say.
With that said, I spoke to a few Lexus reps, one Lexus mechanic, and they all kind of gave the general sentiment of it not really making a difference. They said they have switched out regular oil for synthetic, and vice versa and no oil leaks as some have mentioned here.
So go with what makes you feel good about yourself
With that said, I went ahead and got the synthetic, had my buddy do it for me since I wasn't about to pay $150 for an oil change for synthetic from Lexus. I would have probably opted out for the reg oil if I had to pay full price for it.
With that said, I spoke to a few Lexus reps, one Lexus mechanic, and they all kind of gave the general sentiment of it not really making a difference. They said they have switched out regular oil for synthetic, and vice versa and no oil leaks as some have mentioned here.
So go with what makes you feel good about yourself
With that said, I went ahead and got the synthetic, had my buddy do it for me since I wasn't about to pay $150 for an oil change for synthetic from Lexus. I would have probably opted out for the reg oil if I had to pay full price for it.
02-16-10, 12:55 PM
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This was discussed on the Mercedes board. I believe the general consensus was not to start using Mobile One if you already have a lot of miles. Something about Mobile One causes oil leaks if you switch from regular oil. I believe Mobile One is more slick or thin and would leak when switching.
Maybe this was for Mercedes. Lexus engines may handle the switch better??
Would love to here from a Lexus Mechanic on the subject of switching to Mobile One when you already have miles with regular oil.
Maybe this was for Mercedes. Lexus engines may handle the switch better??
Would love to here from a Lexus Mechanic on the subject of switching to Mobile One when you already have miles with regular oil.
I wonder if its just a Mobil 1 thing?
02-16-10, 05:12 PM
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In the old days it was very typical for engines to use-up oil. The cure was always to go to 40W or even 50W. One reason engines didn't last as long as they do now.
I loved Castrol fossil...that used to be my favorite oil for my sports cars...Alfa, Fiat, Lancia. The first synthetic oil I used was Mobil1 while stationed in Europe. It was made in the UK and called SHC in those days. The front of the can had a spaceship suggesting that it was used in the space program. Perhaps it was...many things have filtered to our daily lives from NASA.
I loved Castrol fossil...that used to be my favorite oil for my sports cars...Alfa, Fiat, Lancia. The first synthetic oil I used was Mobil1 while stationed in Europe. It was made in the UK and called SHC in those days. The front of the can had a spaceship suggesting that it was used in the space program. Perhaps it was...many things have filtered to our daily lives from NASA.
02-16-10, 07:16 PM
#43
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So I see there is a TSIB for the '06 GS300RWD's recommending the use of 5W20. Any issue if I keep using 5W30 until my current stock is used up? (Probably 2-3 more oil changes of 5W30 on the shelf here).
02-17-10, 06:29 AM
#44
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No. Small differences in viscosity don't matter much. They probably changed it after the fact to meet some kind of new more stringent emissions requirements or something.
02-19-10, 03:45 PM
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Lexus synthetic
I just got a supplement to my owners manual for my 2010 RX 350. Lexus is switching to OW20 Synthetic for oil changes. They now recommend changing oil every 10,000 miles. And, if you haven't had the 10,000 checkup yet, they will do the oil change free.