View Poll Results: are you running synthetic or a synthetic blend?
full synthetic
238
59.95%
synthetic blend
19
4.79%
dinosaur oil
39
9.82%
whatever the dealer fills it with
101
25.44%
Voters: 397. You may not vote on this poll
how many are running full sythetic or a synthetic blend?
01-25-07, 12:16 AM
#31
Driver
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: IL
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01-25-07, 05:00 AM
#34
Interestingly, in the UK and Europe, Lexus promotes the use of quality mineral oils instead of high priced synthetic oils as a cost benefit of ownership, aided by relatively short service intervals (10k miles for intermediate servicing and 20k for full services).
01-25-07, 06:06 AM
#35
I figured lobuxracer would have answered this. He's more qualified than I am, but I'll give my .02 about it.
Synthetic oil doesn't break down as quickly as conventional oil, so you don't have to change it as often. It is also supposed to handle high temps better, so it is better for "heavy duty" use. Even if you are a "regular Joe" driver, synthetic oil still makes financial sense because you can go twice as long between changes.
Synthetic oil doesn't break down as quickly as conventional oil, so you don't have to change it as often. It is also supposed to handle high temps better, so it is better for "heavy duty" use. Even if you are a "regular Joe" driver, synthetic oil still makes financial sense because you can go twice as long between changes.
01-25-07, 08:36 AM
#36
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: CA
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Some people have been having issues with the hydraulic valve lash adjusters not pumping up quickly and hearing a clattering sound on initial start up. Let us know if you start having that issue.
My personal preference has always been 10w-30 synthetic since it needs no VI modifiers to meet the specs. No VI modifiers means the oil lasts inherently longer in service because you don't have long chain polymers getting cracked and the oil losing visocosity. Still, I'm following the recommendations during warranty for sure, so 5W-20 it is for now.
I'm sure Pennzoil is a decent oil, but Mobil 1 has been doing this for a very long time and I have a lot of experience with it (and Red Line) so I'm pretty much set on those two. RP and Amsoil also make excellent products, they're just harder to find in Wal Mart than Mobil 1.
My personal preference has always been 10w-30 synthetic since it needs no VI modifiers to meet the specs. No VI modifiers means the oil lasts inherently longer in service because you don't have long chain polymers getting cracked and the oil losing visocosity. Still, I'm following the recommendations during warranty for sure, so 5W-20 it is for now.
I'm sure Pennzoil is a decent oil, but Mobil 1 has been doing this for a very long time and I have a lot of experience with it (and Red Line) so I'm pretty much set on those two. RP and Amsoil also make excellent products, they're just harder to find in Wal Mart than Mobil 1.
01-25-07, 08:42 AM
#37
Lexus Test Driver
Thing is most of the owners here still change their synthetic oil at or before the scheduled service interval,...which as you correctly pointed is one of the main benefits of using synthetic oil in the first place! It's really a waste of what is probable still "good" oil.
01-25-07, 08:52 AM
#38
The light can be reset anytime using the procedure in the manual. However, I think it would be a mistake to run the factory fill oil for more than 5K. As I mentioned earlier, I changed my factory fill oil at 5K, and had it tested by Blackstone. The oil was okay, but not great.
01-25-07, 09:10 AM
#39
Lexus Test Driver
The light can be reset anytime using the procedure in the manual. However, I think it would be a mistake to run the factory fill oil for more than 5K. As I mentioned earlier, I changed my factory fill oil at 5K, and had it tested by Blackstone. The oil was okay, but not great.
01-25-07, 09:21 AM
#41
Lexus Test Driver
01-25-07, 03:48 PM
#42
Tech Info Resource
iTrader: (2)
01-25-07, 03:51 PM
#43
Tech Info Resource
iTrader: (2)
Depends on a few things. Is it a 250 or 350? The early production 250's have a TSB for a particular issue that requires replacing the valve lash adjusters. If you have a 350 - are you running a dealer supplied oil, or are you running your own choice? Do you know what weight? This could have a lot to do with the noise. It could also have nothing to do with it if there is a fault or failure somewhere in the cam chain tensioners or the valve lash adjusters. The only way to know for sure is to have it checked out at the dealership. It is a warrantable issue for sure.
