actually no it’s not a quick change type oil place like jiffy lube or anything like that;
it’s a place that’s part of a very successful auto repair etc type chain place that specializes in getting repairs etc done a lot less $ than any dealer would be. It’s just company policy that’s all. Nothing I can do about it and no I’m not gonna go elsewhere

 

hence why i said dont worry about it. The RX was designed before the widespread market adoption of synthetics so it can run everything under the sun fine. Plus with your trusted garage company policy , its not like you can throw up some synthetic quarts.

 

I can see them not letting a customer bring their own parts since no shop I worked at would let that happen.

But oil is diffferent since we had old timers who only run Quaker State or Porshes and other high end cars with owners only running 20-50 Mobil, etc. and they would bring in their own quarts- happened all the time.
We were happy to do it since we got paid for the service if they used our oil or not.

 

Each automobile manufacturer decides what the specification of its engine oil is.

VW has yours, MB too, Ford, etc., when it is not a standard, like ACEA or API.

Toyota specifies that the oil has to be 5w30 API SL. As long as you use 5w30 (or 0w30, which is better) AND whether it is API SL (or SM-SN-SP, which are better), it makes no difference if it is synthetic full, or a blend or other presentation that appears in the future.

 

well like i said; im just gonna stick with what they have been using.

 

How cold is your city in the winter?

 

not so much

 

One look at Matt's location tells you he's in AZ......Toyota says to run a 5-30 or a 10-30......Down in AZ, I'd be using a 10-30.....

 

u mean as in full synthetic?

 

I really don't know how is the climate in Arizona!

No. Just ask for 5w30. Don't use any other viscosity. Will be enough!

Save your money, use a good 5w30 and change it more often, with the filter - it's better than use expensive high mileage fluids. Your engine will appreciate.

Just for reference, I use Castrol Magnatec 5w30 for years and change every 5k miles.

 

I have mine changed every 4500 miles or when the maint reqd just starts to flash then goes out

 

That'll work.........

 

For $38 Blackstone Labs can give you a more objective answer to this question.

I've been running Blackstone reports on every oil change for my cars and compiling report data from other users. Most any modern oil seems to be good. The full synthetics are often plenty healthy at 6000+ miles. Sometimes even 10k+.

 

Blackstone, and alot of others providers have some really objective driven data sets to answer this question. My only question though is $38 per oil change, plus the oil change...law of diminishing returns

 

Yeah, if the goal is the cheapest possible maintenance you can just maintain 4-5k change intervals with whatever $30 oil change special is at the parts store.

I run the tests on my LX to determine how long I can push it and to check for any engine troubles. If you do the blackstone tests and can get away with 10k changes with no ill effect, you'll come out ahead vs someone that changes at 4k - assuming you give some value to your time in the garage or going to a dealer/lube shop.

The other reason is just because I'm a dork for data like that. Haha!