nyczdave

How often would you suggest me to change my oil? And which oil would you suggest? like W__??
And I dont really want to go to the lexus dealer cause they charge an arm and leg. Would you think getting an oil change at a regular oil change place would be OK. even if they dont use factory lexus filter?
Can some one help me out. Mite sound like a stupid question but I just want to make sure I take care of my car.

Hameed

Buy the OEM filter from Lexus and then go to any auto parts store and pick up 2 gallons of Mobil 1 Synthetic 5W30 (the GS400 needs 5.8 litres) and then you could take the car to any local auto shop to get the oil replaced. I replace mine at the recommened factory interval of 6000 KM or roughly 3750 miles.

mtsao

NYC, no such thing as a stupid question, especially when it has to do with treating your car right.

If you run a quick search, you'll find that most owners stick with original Lexus/Toyota oil filter. Take a look at this comparison:
http://mkiv.com/techarticles/parts/t...ter/index.html

Although I don't know if your GS shares the same filter as an LS the writeup should still be informative. I bought my filter at the local dealership for $6.95 which is better than any price I've yet to find online.

Also, if you run the search you'll find lots of information on whether to use synthetic vs conventional. From what I've gathered, if the seals are in good shape and there are no known leaks, synthetic may not be a bad idea. If there are leaks though, the 'slipperyness' of synthetic will likely cause the leak to be more severe and synthetics have a tendency to find weak spots from which to leak. One reason people often cite for the use of synthetic is that it's easier on the engine during cold starts, and this would apply to those of us in the north...but i don't personally understand why this would be, since oil viscosity numbers would seem to suggest that it would be an 'apples-to-apples' comparison when comparing synthetic and conventional...anyone with ideas on this please feel free to enlighten me.

Recommended interval for cars in general run between 3000 and 7500 miles. I think you'll find that factory intervals are usually on the high end(look in your owners manual), whereas the dealer intervals are on the lower end (guess why?). However, the low end is legitimate for severe conditions, which would include lots of city driving and stop n go driving, or dusty road conditions and many people follow the 3000 interval. This is good for lube shops and good for oil companies to take your money...but on the other hand, one of the most important ways you can ensure the health of your engine is to change the oil regularly. Basically, you should change the oil as often as practical and/or as often as you can afford, with 3000 as the rule of thumb minimum. I think synthetic oils break down slower than dino so that's why people go longer in between. Also, if you're going to change the oil every 3000 anyway, it doesn't make as much sense to spend 3 or 4 times as much on synthetic.

Hope you don't mind the long-winded reponse.

Mike

Gekko

I take my Lexus to the Toyota Dealer for Oil Changes. Same OEM filter/oil as Lexus and the mechanics are top-notch. I pay about $30 for their "Express Lube". I get it changed every 3,750 miles. I have 128k miles on my car and the engine still runs like brand new.

mtsao

Gekko's post reminds me, the local Lexus dealership charges $35 for oil/filter change, which is only 5 bucks more than Toyota.

Mike

steviej

iTrader: (1)

Mobil 1 5W-30 synthetic and a Mobil 1 filter. Do it myself in the driveway. (Every 5000 miles)

Mobil 1 5W-30 and a Lexus/Toyota filter when dealer does it as part of the biggie services (30, 60, 90 etc).

steviej

gebo

1st...If you don't know how to change your own oil, learn to change your own oil.

2nd...I "probably" would not go to a quick lube place. Too many horror stories. Too many substitutions.
If you do, make sure you do a follow up on oil level and leaks.

3rd...I use Amsoil in both my Lexi. Sometimes 10-30 sometimes 0-30. If it is hard to get Amsoil, go to WalMart and get the Mobil 1 Synthetic. I do oil analysis and can easily go 10,000 between changes.
Toyota filter (...20004) and sometimes Baldwin oil filter.

To learn more about oils, filters, etc. check out www.bobistheoilguy.com More than you every dreamed of.

muldrick

10,000 miles??? How many miles are on your car?

gebo

On my 2 lexi I have 42,000 and 74,000 miles. On my Accord I have 118,000. The longest I've ever had a car is 172,000 on aCamry. PLease notice, I do oil analysis at $15.00 each every 5000 miles for about 3 times on an oil to see if it is holding up before I go to 10,000 miles. Every car is different with different oils. Be sure and check out the www I mention above. If I were using a dino oil, I would change every 3000 miles.

Hameed

So in a GS400, using Mobil 1 synthetic, what is your recommended oil change interval based on your oil analysis results? My other car is a 97 Maxima SE and I just started using Mobil 1 Synthetic in it. Oil change interval recommendations for that?

gebo

I've never used Mobil 1. I'm speaking only for my cars and 2 other cars I change the oil in (My Pastor's and the family hairdresser's) But from reading all the threads on www.bobistheoilguy.com , I can say it is a very good synthetic. Most any car can go 5000 miles on Mobil 1 easily. Run it for 5000 miles and do an oil analysis. Have a professional do the interpretation of the results. That is the only way you will "KNOW" what to do.

Some of you may freak when you see, "10,000 miles." but I would NEVER, NEVER do anything to hurt my babies. I ain't trying to "save the environment" or "save money." I may could go longer but I figure 10K is long enough. In other words, I've never gotten an analysis back that said to change the oil at 10K yet. I still have room at 10K.

Wald GS

iTrader: (1)

My mechanic uses this German oil that Ferrari's use. It's called Voll Synthese and has molly lubro additive.
I go to him every 6 months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first.