thedon3

Hello All,
Friday I had my 5K free service at Prestige Lexus. The service advisor was excellent, as is the norm at Presitge Lexus. I had one issue. I remember reading on the forum of a memeber who had the incorrect oil type when he serviced his RX at a dealership. I had remembered this when I was talking to the service adviosr and reminded him, the 08- RX-400 take 5-20 oil. When my RX was ready, I was checking the invoice, when I noticed 5-30 oil was typed on the invoice instead of 5-20 oil. I informed the service advisor and he went to the shop to ask the question. He came back an assured me 5-20 oil was used, and there computer system does not allow that filed to be overridden. I left somewhat satisfied, but, had a series of questions in my head. Anyway, when I got home, I emailed the Service Manager at Prestiage and expalined what happened and was trying to understand, how a million dollar + company has a computer program, that cannot be upgraded. He got back to me that day and expalined the whole situation and offered me to bring back the RX and watch them change the oil in person, I declined.
I write the above, for others to make sure they get the correct oil for there 08-RX-400. Also, to tell others of the excellent customer service Prestige Lexus has provided.
Thanks
Bobby

Bear60

I had the same problem. The owner's manual calls for 0W-20 yet Lexus service information allows 5W-20. The service manager called Torranence, CA and was told that using even 5W-20 instead of the specified 0W-20 could cause a check engine light. That is exactly what happened to my RX400h and it failed the smog check due to misfires. I have an appointment on Tuesday Sept 16. I think the dealer caused the problem.

Lexmex

Well, the way the crankcase ventilation works in this and other vehicles, the oil type can (due to the fact that a bit of oil vapor (and oil itself) is shot back into the combustion cycle for emissions reasons. That's a reason I did a crankcase ventilation modification for my RX300. That wasn't the major reason (actually mpg loss, power loss and the fact that this screws around with the actual octane in the fuel) were the major reasons.

The hybrids particularly like this oil. Pennzoil has a Platinum series in the 0W20 range and also Amsoil has their own 0W20. Those would be the two I'd favor here.

Bear60

The problems have little to do with the PCV system. The thicker oil can prevent the variable valve timing from working correctly.

Lexmex

That throws off a a little different code, but you are right on the thicker oil. Way back when I moved down to Mexico all they literally sold was heavy oil, best I could do was Mobil 15W50 for my RX300, and that was painful, until they got 5W30 soon thereafter. Toyota hadn't even opened its doors when I moved down there.

Bear60

I'll find out Tuesday when the dealer looks at the misfire counters and tries to determine which cylinder(s) etc.