Is350 Oil Confusion No More
#17
Lexus Champion
#20
Lead Lap
My dealership (Newport Lexus) has not heard of any TSB on using 5/20. This is the second time I've asked and I get the same answer. Nothing about any change. They use 5/30 Castrol. Me? I use BMW 5/30 full synthetic. Why BMW? Cause it's formulated by Castrol and is approved by BMW for extended oil changes up to 15,000 miles. Insofar as Lexus recommends either 7,500 miles or six months.........under normal use; I'll be using that as my guideline.
#21
2IS OG
iTrader: (21)
As has been said already, either one would be fine, and you're more than welcome to put whatever oil you want in your car. However, with the morning temps in Pasadena around 37 degrees lately when I start my car in the morning, I'm really glad I followed the Lexus TSB, that I personally found on TIS, and used 5W-20. I couldn't care less if the dealers are bothering to read the TSB's. That only tells me not to go to that particular dealership for service. I would always follow a TSB over what any dealer tells me. TSB's are instructions from Lexus corporate - what oil a dealership uses is strictly up to that particular dealership.
Javier
Javier
#22
Super Moderator
Lexus' service schedule calls for an oil change every 5,000 miles, not every 7,500. I suspect that if Lexus had a "maintenance included" plan like BMW, they'd extend the interval to at least 7,500 miles - if not higher...
#23
Lexus Test Driver
As has been said already, either one would be fine, and you're more than welcome to put whatever oil you want in your car. However, with the morning temps in Pasadena around 37 degrees lately when I start my car in the morning, I'm really glad I followed the Lexus TSB, that I personally found on TIS, and used 5W-20. I couldn't care less if the dealers are bothering to read the TSB's. That only tells me not to go to that particular dealership for service. I would always follow a TSB over what any dealer tells me. TSB's are instructions from Lexus corporate - what oil a dealership uses is strictly up to that particular dealership.
Javier
Javier
#25
0-20, 5-20, 0-30, 5-30 and 10-30 all can safely be used. The one thing to think about is, most engine wear accrues on start-up. Start-up meaning; when the car is first started regardless of the temp. It’s the time that it takes the oil to reach the vital areas. If you look at the actual amount of protection each grade provides, there are no real differences. With this being said, the lowest safe viscosity will circulate the fastest. I use 0w-20 and will be sending in for a used oil analysis (UOA) at 10K miles. I will post the results.
Koz
Koz
#26
0-20, 5-20, 0-30, 5-30 and 10-30 all can safely be used. The one thing to think about is, most engine wear accrues on start-up. Start-up meaning; when the car is first started regardless of the temp. It’s the time that it takes the oil to reach the vital areas. If you look at the actual amount of protection each grade provides, there are no real differences. With this being said, the lowest safe viscosity will circulate the fastest. I use 0w-20 and will be sending in for a used oil analysis (UOA) at 10K miles. I will post the results.
Koz
Koz
Do Lexus dealerships offer a choice of both the 20 and 30?
#28
Agreed... In fact, I'm sure it would be at least 10k miles, like it is for UK-spec Lexus...
#29
Lead Lap
Originally Posted by Bichon
Lexus' service schedule calls for an oil change every 5,000 miles, not every 7,500. I suspect that if Lexus had a "maintenance included" plan like BMW, they'd extend the interval to at least 7,500 miles - if not higher...
You might want to do a little more research before making the statement posted above here. Lexus does have a six month or 7,500 mile oil change interval if the car is not being driven in dusty conditions or pulling a trailer and so on. Check it out. I copied their recommendation directly off their web site and posted on this forum. It says what it says............period and end of story.
Ahh shucks I'll just post it again. This is just a portion of the recommendation I mentioned above.....exactly as I copied it right off the web site.
Here it is again:
Determining The Proper Maintenance Interval
Your Lexus should receive scheduled maintenance every 5,000 to 7,500 miles (or every 4 to 6 months), depending on your circumstances and driving habits.
5,000-Mile Or 6-Month Intervals
Use 5,000-mile or 6-month intervals if you primarily drive your Lexus under any of the following conditions:
- Driving on unpaved or dusty roads
- Towing a trailer or using a camper or cartop carrier
- Repeated trips of less than five miles in temperatures below freezing
Lexus' service schedule calls for an oil change every 5,000 miles, not every 7,500. I suspect that if Lexus had a "maintenance included" plan like BMW, they'd extend the interval to at least 7,500 miles - if not higher...
You might want to do a little more research before making the statement posted above here. Lexus does have a six month or 7,500 mile oil change interval if the car is not being driven in dusty conditions or pulling a trailer and so on. Check it out. I copied their recommendation directly off their web site and posted on this forum. It says what it says............period and end of story.
Ahh shucks I'll just post it again. This is just a portion of the recommendation I mentioned above.....exactly as I copied it right off the web site.
Here it is again:
Determining The Proper Maintenance Interval
Your Lexus should receive scheduled maintenance every 5,000 to 7,500 miles (or every 4 to 6 months), depending on your circumstances and driving habits.
5,000-Mile Or 6-Month Intervals
Use 5,000-mile or 6-month intervals if you primarily drive your Lexus under any of the following conditions:
- Driving on unpaved or dusty roads
- Towing a trailer or using a camper or cartop carrier
- Repeated trips of less than five miles in temperatures below freezing
Last edited by Gtidan; 12-18-07 at 09:34 PM.