daryll40

A while back I started following BOBISTHEOILGUY.COM threads. Just out of curiousity I sampled the oil in my RX330, reported upon here, now, and in my LS460. In both cases the oil used was Mobil1. Mobil1 Synthetic 5W-20 is what was was used in my RX330 (I used 0W-20 in the LS). Surprisingly, Mobil1 didn't hold up too well. I had the oil changed last winter just after this sample and used Mobil1 again and will report on another sample soon. The folks on BOBISTHEOILGUY seem to think TOYOTA SYNTHETIC oil is better, so my latest fill on the LS was that and next time I'll use that on the RX330. One thing that I did change was now I'm running the MOBIL1 filter and I'm not sure what filter was used for the oil sample reported here. Any of you guys doing oil sampling?

dcdyd

5880 miles may be a little longer? I have 08 RX350 and 5000 miles is the interval for oil change stated on user's manual. What is stated on the user's manual for 330?

I also use Mobile 1 and is concerned fter reading this report.

daryll40

Yeah, the oil is supposed to be changed very 5K. A few things in response to you:

1. Yeah, It's supposed to be 5K oil changes. I was hoping that Mobil 1 would allow me to go longer. I maintain four cars and being able to go 10K instead of 5K would be helpful. But I'm not dumb enough to go 10K without checking, hence the analysis and immediate change at 5900 upon getting the results.

2. The real issue for you and others is: What's the value of Mobil 1 (or maybe any other expensive synthetic) versus regular dino juice? If Mobil 1 is ready for the recycle factory after merely 5900 miles, what's the value?

3. I will retest the latest batch of Mobil1 soon (at 5000 miles on the juice) and post the results. If still not stellar, I will try Toyota synthetic, which the BOBISTHEOILGUY folks say is better stuff. If that does well, then it's a sad statement that Mobil1 is not the good stuff they claim. But if the Toyota oil tests bad, then it means that this engine...or at least this engine for my area and type of driving...is not worthy of spending the extra for synthetic. A good batch of cheaper dino juice should run 5000 miles. If I end up going back to cheaper dino, I'll test that too. But it could be a year or more away as I plan to try Toyota synthetic next and we only drive about 10K per year on that car.

kickin8

iTrader: (1)

you are supposed to use 5W30/0W30 for 330......

daryll40

Actually, you are behind the curve. See the three "photos" of my documentiation, attached.

pauljcl

I'm sure you're right regarding the ability to use 0W20 or 5W20 oil. However, I would be curious as to oil sample results using 5W30 oil, as originally recommended by Lexus in comparison with 5W20 oil.

dcdyd

That will be valuable information if you can get this process done.

daryll40

I'm not sure one or two 5000 mile oil analyses is gonna show much in comparing those two oils

daryll40

Mine is a 2006. It's not clear what the difference is between the 2004, 5 & 6, but I agree that it would have been just as easy to include the earlier years so there must be a reason they did not.

Also many BOBISTHEOILGUY folks say that 0W-20 can and probably should be used instead of 5W-20 in all applications recommending 5W-20. I don't fully understand it, but I would think that if this were true Toyota would have made it clear that 0W-20 can be used. There is this chart that shows it's OK for the Highlander with the same engine, but I can find nothing definitive that 0W-20 is specifically OK for the RX330.

kickin8

iTrader: (1)

I understand where the TSIB is coming from.....

but you have to read between the lines: it's OK to run or it's BEST to run....

same concept applies: it's ok to run on 87 in the RX but it is BEST to run on 91....

thanks for sharing the info...so we now have some baseline data to compare with.....

daryll40

The BOBISTHEOILGUY people say that 0W-20 "is best", versus 5W-20 and versus 5W-30, even if it a specific car engine doesn't label it as "the best" but is just labels it (OW-20) as merely "approved". Again, though, I can't find anything that specifically says "0W-20 is approved for the 2004-5-6 RX330" but it seems to be inferred. Gasoline is a different animal. It's fairly obvious that if regular gas (87) is "allowed" but 91 (or 92, 93) is "preferred", then the higher octane is better (albeit more expensive, also obviously). In the olden days it was always understood that "high test" was better for ANY engine. Today many/most engines are tuned so that higher octane gas is worse, not better. And while car makers do sometimes state that 87 gas is allowed while 91 is preferred, they generally do not state that this oil grade is allowed but this other oil grade is preferred. It's not clear to me why.

RX330inFL

Here are some questions for you, Daryll40. Do you know if the Mobil 1 you purchased was the current formulation or the previous generation? Perhaps you have a bottle hanging around still?

The current formulation is rated SN. Meets the new GM dexos1 standard. The previous generation was SM. Small difference, perhaps, for our needs but definitely a change for those who need it.

There is a thread on the topic of Mobil 1 and increased wear metals over at BITOG:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...Number=2611243

After a bit of reading on this end I would venture to guess that you are more than fine using whatever Mobil 1 product you choose and that you would probably be fine easily up to 7500 miles unless you are towing or such to put strain on the engine -- high heat, etc. Remember, 7500 mile intervals is what is stated for the Owner's Manual for service and not 5000 miles which is for those doing more severe driving. Keep in mind that these intervals were formulated using dino oil and not synthetic. From the manual:

Determining the Proper Maintenance Interval
Depending on your circumstances, you should obtain maintenance for your Lexus every 5,000 miles or every 7,500 miles. Follow these guidelines to determine which interval to use.

5,000-Mile Intervals
Use 5,000-mile intervals if you primarily operate your vehicle under any of the following conditions:
􏰀 Extensive driving on unpaved or dusty roads.
􏰀 Towing a trailer or using a camper or car-top carrier.
􏰀 Repeated trips of less than five miles in temperatures below freezing.

7,500-Mile Intervals
Use 7,500-mile intervals if you primarily operate your vehicle under conditions other than those listed above.

Note: If you drive your vehicle under any of the special operating conditions noted on the next page, you may need to perform specific services at 5,000-mile intervals. See the 5,000-mile maintenance charts for details.

Use a good oil, you already are, and a good filter and you will be all set. And, look for SN formulations on the label next time you purchase.

daryll40

Actually I am almost certain that my manual calls for 5000 mile changes no matter what. (The RX is out right now but I'll check later). And no, I don't know if it might have been old Mobil 1, but I bot it at a high volume Walmart not long before installation, so it's unlikely. And if I'd be fine with dino oil anyway to whatever the requred change interval is, I'm not sure I see the value of Mobil1, which is supposed to be way superior. Thanks for that thread, though. This is interesting stuff to me, even though in Pittsburgh cars generally rust out before even not-so-perfectly maintained engines die.

lexus114

I made the switch to Pennzoil 5W-20, and the RX runs great on it! better millage, and definitely better throttle response.

Cruiter

Ordered my kit this morning for my Gen III RX 450h. It will be interesting how my 0w20w oil is holding up. I'm at 37,000 now with 10k changes so it should be a telling report.