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With the first oil change free from Lexus, isn't the high silica thing moot anyway? Just have the dealer change the oil for free at 5,000, then switch to 10,000 or longer when it's on your own dime.
Depending on the engine, it could take up to 15/20K miles or 3/4 oil changes to remove the break-in debris out of a new engine. The reason it is suggested to wait till a certain amount of miles before going to synthetic is because it is expensive to use synthetic when you want to change the oil sooner. This is why you should use cheap dino when you use an engine oil flush that requires changing the oil every 1K miles until all the sludge/debris is out.
As far as OEM using synthetic oil in new engines; there is no reason why you can not use synthetic for break-in, other then expense. The important part of break-in is performed in the first hundred miles. It is then important to change the oil several times (flush the engine of break-in debris).
The reason some OEM sports cars use synthetic is because the OEM knows that high performance cars will most likely be driven more aggressively and synthetic oil will provide better protection. Also FI engines will benefit greatly. Anyone who is not using synthetic in a FI engine is crazy.
The way I look at it is this: Dealer charges me $75-$100 for an oil change (which I never take them up on). 6qts of mobil 1 costs $25, plus 5 for the filter. So using synthetic, I save money vs the dealer, spend the same amount as a cheap quick lube place and put better stuff into my car.
Plus that way if I forget and go a bit past 5,000, my OCD doesn't kick into gear
This is excatly how I look at it. Not to mention it only takes me 10 min. to change the oil compared to how ever long the dealer takes.
Synthetic is a waste of money. Use conventional dino oil.
It's a waste if you are still changing the oil at 3-5k intervals.
Originally Posted by smoking1
Gotta be careful with generic comments like "go at least 10k on syn". If you are not getting UOA's done reg then you have no idea if you could go longer.
I plan on getting this done for my next oil change!
What does any one reccomend i put in my 1997 LS 400, mineral, semi or full sinthetic, thanks.
If your engine has been using dino oil, STAY with dino. Synthetic oils use more high quality detergents in their additive packages. This could cause problems. It is not worth the problems if you do not know what oil was used, you can pull a valve cover to see if there is any sludge build-up before using synthetic.
03-03-10, 07:39 AM
