kg19989

As most of you know I just got my LS a couple of weeks ago. It has 65K strong on it. I have no idea what the previous owner put in but I have read before that some opinions vary on synthetic and if it is ever too late to begin using it. What are the thoughts of CL members?
thanks,
Keith

ejthomp

My recommendation....change every 5,000 miles with a name brand oil...regular...

The reason oil needs to be changed is because it gets dirty. Synthetic gets dirty too.... Yes synthetic lasts longer in super hot engines, but if your engine gets that hot, you've got serious issues beyond what an oil can save you from.

jayclapp

The main purpose of oil is to reduce friction of metal parts that results in microscopic metallic. The more microscopic particles in the oil, the more wear you have in the engine. Synthetic oils have improved lubricity and reduce wear in your engine.

I use Mobil 1 and change at 7500 miles. Wouldn't think of doing anything else.

It's never too late to change to synthetic oil (unless of course you're engine is nearly shot).

wildace

iTrader: (1)

I heard recently mobile 1 has changed their formUla to a lesser grade without saying anything while maintaining the same price. I agree never too late for syn oil

gtfour43

I bought my tacoma with 165k miles on it. I dont know if the PO used reg or syn oil but I use Mobil 1 High mileage oil in it now with no probs.

playa3uhh

I don't know for sure, but I don't think it's ever too late to use Synthetic. I would go ahead and do it. Imagine that the vehicle was brand new when you bought it and now the things you are doing are as if you are the original owner. If anything, the synthetic should give you better protection. However, I would change every 5,000 or 7,500 miles at the most (since you are at 65K miles). GL!

AznRacer

iTrader: (2)

im currently running on mobile 1 in my car. I change the oil and filter at every 5,000 miles and the car does run a lots smoother with full synthetic.

playa3uhh

I run my car on Full Synthetic, but I don't change until the 7500 or 10000 interval. I find that it runs MUCH smoother on synthetic as others have posted. Go for it; it's worth it.

ejthomp

I'd sure like to see a blind test of this..... How do you tell it runs smoother?

I6turbo

iTrader: (1)

No offense to those who believe this, but it is similar to believing that the car is smoother or faster with nitrogen in the tires instead of regular air. Again, no offense, but it's placebo.

AlexusAnja

You offended us twice... and who is this Placebo? Another forum member?

I would think that synthetic would make the engine idle smoother, but not to the point where a human can "feel" the difference. If you were to hook up all computer gadgets and sensors to two identical engines, then you can tell which was idling better.

As for synthetic or not, I'm a synthetic person myself, have used on my Integra since new, RX since 47K when I got it, and LS since 36K when I got it. No issues whatsoever with either. With this said, for me, if I bought pre-owned there would be for me a "cutoff" of some mileage where I would not think about synthetic since the "main wear" years have already occured and if you've used regular, then no need to go synthetic. 60K is probably for me still on the "go synthetic" side of things, especially for an LS. There is still a lot of life left on the LS engine at 60K.

I would say 80K+, I'd skip the synthetic, but for you, go ahead.

V8_Fan

Never too late for synthetic. I changed on my Toyota truck at 140K miles and ran it on syn all the way until I sold it at 215K. I got best fuel economy with certain grades of synthetic, namely M1 0w40 (but NOT 10w30), M1 delvac 5w40, Shell Rotella T syn 5w40 (not a "true" synthetic). On thing is for sure...the engine starts up a lot easier with synthetic, especially if you park outside during the winter. Most engine wear occurs during startup, and synthetic starts up quicker. As far as dirt in oil, that's what your oil filter is for. I use the made in Japan factory Toyota filter (something like 90915-20004), no longer sold in N.America. This the filter used on Toyota V8's and V6's made in Japan and the filter used on Landcruisers throughout the world. Although it looks the same as the Thai-made Toyota filter (-YDZZ3), the internals are completely different. I run this filter and M1 0w40 at 7.5K mi intervals. The only place I know of that sells this filter is American Toyota in Albuquerque. The parts manager imports them directly from Japan.

PRSUIT460

iTrader: (3)

I would switch. I am using AMSOIL Signature Series Synthetic 0W-30 with the Lexus filter. I plan on keeping this one for awhile They say the oil is good for 35,000 miles or 1 year but I think I will still change it every 6K or so.

toantran99

I started using synthtic at 100k, doing pretty well. Penzoil.

SteveM

Maybe synthetic feels smoother than regular when comparing how it feels when it's been used and is badly needing a change. And how does AMSOIL support their claim of 30K+ on the same oil? That has always sounded like a late night informercial assurance of product capability