colfax

Ok so this one has been bugging me, change motor oil with 0-20 synthetic every 5000, OR change with 5-20 synthetic every 10,000.

Correct me if I have it wrong, this is my understanding for the 07 model which I have.

I just cannot believe that the extremely minor difference between the 0 and the 5 before the 20 in oil weight dictates another 5k mileage.

I read some of you guys say to change every 5k because the timing change runs in the oil and so it beats it up so bad it simply must be changed then.

Yet, that same timing chain lives in motor oil when either 0-20 or 5-20 is used, so that argument does not make sense to me.

I have 4500 miles on my last oil change 0-20 now and it looks clean and pure on the dip stick, seems a waste of time and money to change it in another 500 miles.

Yes I know, tell me just do what I want to do and quit bothering the forum but damn, the above reasons don't make any sense to me?

Is there any scientific study of the result or possible engine damage as to why this factory specified doubling of oil change mileage?

Nospinzone

SW17LS

I too have never heard "0W20 5k miles or 5W20 10k miles".

The official statement from Lexus when switching to synthetic oil on an older LS460 where conventional oil was factory fill and the change interval is 5k miles is that you should stay at 5k mile OCIs. In 2014 they changed the requirement to 0W20 synthetic factory fill and 10k mile intervals. The engine is the same, I'm sure you can run either weight at 10k mile intervals and be fine.

But to be clear, the weight of the oil has no bearing on how long until you have to change it.

Doublebase

MedicalDoc

+1!
Every 5K or nothing.
It's cheap and takes no time.

Kuhan

I think this is what OP was confused about. Lexus recommended conventional with 5k mile oil changes and then switch to synthetic with 10k mile oil changes.

For me, I just do one oil change per year since we don't put more than 5k miles per year. I recently did an oil change with Mobil 1 0W-20 and oem filter. Next year I probably will go with TMO 0W-20. I would replace the oil at 7.5k miles if I were to put more miles per year.

For my Ford Transit Connect work van, they want us to do oil changes at 7.5k mile interval with conventional oil! Now that's nuts!

chinee

I am a fan of this site and used oil analysis to determine appropriate oil change intervals for my 2003 Infiniti G35 and 2002 Toyota Sequoia. I switched up synthetic, conventional, blends and settled in on 10K intervals for the Sequoia and 6K intervals for the G35, both with synthetic. Do some reading over there, but I warn you, if you find oil analysis even remotely interesting, you will be hooked for a long time.

UDel

OW 20 would be the better oil with the greater temp range, more flow in lower temps. Both have the same high temp rating so it makes no sense where one could go 5000 miles and one 10,000. If anything the OW 20 would be the one that would be seen as superior.

Chuckinnj

writes123

If I didn't do my own oil change, I probably would opt for longer OCIs. The previous owner of my car paid anywhere from $107 (Lexus mechanic) to $170 per oil change (Lexus dealer) for Toyota 0W-20 and a factory oil filter. If I were faced with those costs, I would try and stretch my OCIs out a bit, running around 8-10k per change.

However, this engine is extremely simple to DIY with the proper tools, space and time. The cheapest full synthetic HM oil (Supertech) with Toyota oil filter costs just around 35 + 5 = $40 USD. If I wanted to upgrade so something like Valvoline full synthetic HM oil, it'd be 50+5= $55 USD.

With those prices in mind, I'm more than willing to change my oil ever 3-4.5k miles. Already so much is spent on premium gas for these vehicles between mileage changes, trying to prolong the use of good oil is negligible in overall running costs.

mckellyb

I'll let y'all know when my '08 w/122K on it has oil-related issues due to 15K-20K mile Mobil 1 changes.

Don't hold your breath.

Oliver Enterprises

For $50 at Toyota dealerships, I would be concerned that they weren't actually using synthetic. Certainly it's not Mobil 1 synthetic. But who knows, oil changes are so easy and quick for dealerships, there may be (smart) dealerships that entice a customer into future service business by cutting really good deals on oil changes. Makes good business sense.

However, having done oil changes on the LS, and all my other vehicles. I do not consider it easy, quick or cheap. That's on a comparison basis to other oil changes. My truck, which holds 10.5 quarts, is quicker, much easier, and less expensive than the LS. And my truck recommends 7,500 mile oil changes on dinosaur oil.

Do I think 10k mile OCI on Mobil 1 0W-20, will shorten the engine life on the LS? Heck no. Not in a million years. The engine will have some other failure unrelated to lubricity, or the vehicle will be disposed of before a lubrication issue would ever happen with 10k mile oil changes on Mob 1 0W-20. It's 9.1 quarts!!!! 9.6 (I think it is) in the AWD cars. There's so much friggin oil, and very high quality (if using Mobil 1 synthetic), that even at 10k miles, I seriously think it would go much farther before the oil really begins any significant breakdowns. Just my $0.02 worth. Let me know if you need change back!

SW17LS

Not always. None of the dealers here use TGMO unless the customer requests it. They use a bulk unbranded oil.

Nospinzone

What makes you say that?

Oliver Enterprises

"Yessir, TGMO no problem. That'll be $149.99!" Just kidding.