View Poll Results: What viscosity oils are people using?
5w-20
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15
38.46%
5w-30
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21
53.85%
10w-30
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0
0%
10w-40
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0
0%
Oil? You cooking bish?
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3
7.69%
Voters: 39. You may not vote on this poll
5W-20 is going to be like water in hot summer 100°F days-I may stick with 5W-30
#18
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Call me indifferent, we can agree that we disagree. 5w-20 oil is just a way for the manufacturers to squeeze more MPG from their vehicles to comply with CAFE, it started with Ford & Honda and now is catching on with others. Until Lexus/Toyota officially notifies ME that I must use 5w-20 in my 2006 2GR-FSE or risk voiding the factory warranty, then I will continue to use 5w-30, tree-huggers be darned . . . ![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#19
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Call me indifferent, we can agree that we disagree. 5w-20 oil is just a way for the manufacturers to squeeze more MPG from their vehicles to comply with CAFE, it started with Ford & Honda and now is catching on with others. Until Lexus/Toyota officially notifies ME that I must use 5w-20 in my 2006 2GR-FSE or risk voiding the factory warranty, then I will continue to use 5w-30, tree-huggers be darned . . . ![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#20
Tech Info Resource
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The benefits of 5w-30 over 5w-20 are lower measured hp, lower fuel mileage (higher operating cost), and the happiness that what your dad told you about oil 20 years ago is still true.
Seriously - how many of you are going to keep your car past 150k miles? Or better still, how many extra dollars do you want to spend operating your car over the time you own it.
Think about the logic of this statement: "the manufacturers are doing this to eek out a few more mpg for CAFE." Will this net them some money somehow? Because engine failures, especially under warranty, will definitely cost them money. It doesn't make sense to me at all that they are doing this out of fear of a few tenths on their CAFE.
From a performance perspective, I want to run the very lightest oil I can without causing undue damage to my engine. It will run cooler from lower fluid drag. It will make more horsepower from lower fluid drag. To top it off, the manufacturer says I can run 5w-20 and still meet their specifications. I call it a total win for me.
If you are terribly worried about your engine's service life, ask yourself this:
1. Do you send your used oil for analysis every time you change it?
2. Do you run premium brand oils to ensure there will be no lubrication issues over the service life of your engine?
3. Are you concerned about spending more for gas and oil over the service life of the car (and unnecessarily adding to CO2 emissions, hazardous material recycling streams, etc.)? Or are you a "to hell with the planet, I want what I want and no one is going to tell me differently!" kind of person?
Sure, I drive a Supra, it's an emissions pig and a fuel hog compared to my IS even though it has its cats in still working order, and I definitely want what I want. But not enough to say I have a right to spoil my children's planet before they have a chance to speak for themselves. Of course we are creating a whole new industry for the next few generations cleaning up the mess we (and our forefathers) made. Maybe it all balances out in the end?
Seriously - how many of you are going to keep your car past 150k miles? Or better still, how many extra dollars do you want to spend operating your car over the time you own it.
Think about the logic of this statement: "the manufacturers are doing this to eek out a few more mpg for CAFE." Will this net them some money somehow? Because engine failures, especially under warranty, will definitely cost them money. It doesn't make sense to me at all that they are doing this out of fear of a few tenths on their CAFE.
From a performance perspective, I want to run the very lightest oil I can without causing undue damage to my engine. It will run cooler from lower fluid drag. It will make more horsepower from lower fluid drag. To top it off, the manufacturer says I can run 5w-20 and still meet their specifications. I call it a total win for me.
If you are terribly worried about your engine's service life, ask yourself this:
1. Do you send your used oil for analysis every time you change it?
2. Do you run premium brand oils to ensure there will be no lubrication issues over the service life of your engine?
3. Are you concerned about spending more for gas and oil over the service life of the car (and unnecessarily adding to CO2 emissions, hazardous material recycling streams, etc.)? Or are you a "to hell with the planet, I want what I want and no one is going to tell me differently!" kind of person?
Sure, I drive a Supra, it's an emissions pig and a fuel hog compared to my IS even though it has its cats in still working order, and I definitely want what I want. But not enough to say I have a right to spoil my children's planet before they have a chance to speak for themselves. Of course we are creating a whole new industry for the next few generations cleaning up the mess we (and our forefathers) made. Maybe it all balances out in the end?
#21
Tech Info Resource
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#23
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Here's the deal, you could use any grade from 0w-20 (5w-20 dino) to 0w-30 (5/10w-30 dino).
Remember that 80% of engine wear occurs within the first seconds of startup (circulation time), regardless of temperature. So, the better flow/pour rate, the better the protection (less wear). The 0w20/30 weight oils (pure synthetic) will also provide the widest range of protection against thermal breakdown. To sum it up, if you want the best possible protection, use the 0w-20 and 0w-30 in extreamly hot climates. The other advantage of using the pure synthetic is that you can extend the OCI (oil change intervals). You should be able to safely extend the OCI to 10K miles or 1 year (with a used oil analysis - UOA).
The UOA would also provide proof that the 0w weight and the extended OCI would still be providing safe protection, if a warranty issue came up. (which would be highly unlikely)
Koz
Remember that 80% of engine wear occurs within the first seconds of startup (circulation time), regardless of temperature. So, the better flow/pour rate, the better the protection (less wear). The 0w20/30 weight oils (pure synthetic) will also provide the widest range of protection against thermal breakdown. To sum it up, if you want the best possible protection, use the 0w-20 and 0w-30 in extreamly hot climates. The other advantage of using the pure synthetic is that you can extend the OCI (oil change intervals). You should be able to safely extend the OCI to 10K miles or 1 year (with a used oil analysis - UOA).
The UOA would also provide proof that the 0w weight and the extended OCI would still be providing safe protection, if a warranty issue came up. (which would be highly unlikely)
Koz
#25
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
#26
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Absolutely. I spoke with (and corresponded via email) with a few people at Lexus about this, and was told that they are recommending 5W-20 for better mileage and cold start performance, but that 5W-30 is a perfectly acceptable alternative.
#27
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You guys are pretty darn **** about a car that you'll likely trade in/get rid of LONG before any oil related issues come up....
My previous car was a 328i, the BMW recommended oil change interval was 30 THOUSAND MILES.......
You guys planning to drive the doors off these cars or what?
My previous car was a 328i, the BMW recommended oil change interval was 30 THOUSAND MILES.......
You guys planning to drive the doors off these cars or what?
#28
Lexus Champion
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: So Cal
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Think about the logic of this statement: "the manufacturers are doing this to eek out a few more mpg for CAFE." Will this net them some money somehow? Because engine failures, especially under warranty, will definitely cost them money. It doesn't make sense to me at all that they are doing this out of fear of a few tenths on their CAFE.
Yes, manufacturers ARE concerned about a few 1/10's on their CAFE, it can mean the difference b/w complying or owing a few million $ in penalties. Ever wonder why european cars cost so much, most european car mfrs fail to comply with CAFE standards, choosing instead to pay the penalties which undoubtedly is passed on to consumers . . .
Last edited by socalJD; 01-30-07 at 10:38 AM.
#30
Tech Info Resource
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Here's a link for those who care to understand CAFE: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/cafe/overview.htm
Yes, manufacturers ARE concerned about a few 1/10's on their CAFE, it can mean the difference b/w complying or owing a few million $ in penalties. Ever wonder why european cars cost so much, most european car mfrs fail to comply with CAFE standards, choosing instead to pay the penalties which undoubtedly is passed on to consumers . . .
Yes, manufacturers ARE concerned about a few 1/10's on their CAFE, it can mean the difference b/w complying or owing a few million $ in penalties. Ever wonder why european cars cost so much, most european car mfrs fail to comply with CAFE standards, choosing instead to pay the penalties which undoubtedly is passed on to consumers . . .