Ohoopee

I bought my 2001 Lexus IS 200 two years ago. I have had it serviced three times in that period. I am not sure what kind of life it had before me and because I have always taken it to the closest garage to my house, I am not sure which motor oil has been put into it during each change. I know the fully synthetic motor oil is meant to be very good for engines, lots of detergents that clean the sludge out of the engine....but being that this is an older car and I don't know what kind of oil has been put into it, I am wondering if it would be wise for me to put synthetic oil into it. There could be some sludge that is clogging up a crack in an engine seal somewhere which the synthetic oil might get rid of, causing oil leaks. So just thought I would get your adviseon using a synthetic motor oil. If you were me, would you use it?

I also wanted to know if anyone here uses Toyota brand motor oil? I moved resently so I am not going to my old garage anymore, there is a guy here in town that will change the oil for 20 Euro if you bring him the filter and the oil...I am certainly going Toyota filter and am considering Toyota oil as well...but they make a fully synthetic as well.

RiceBanana

Oil and filter change around 7000-9000 miles on two cars that use 0w-20. Been using Costco Kirkland 0W-20 for the past year, no problem so far.

2001SolarY

Why did you run thinner oil than factory? For 2001 to 2005 IS300's. It is 5w30. Written on the oil cap.