jwalker678

Had my local Toyota dealer change the oil in my 2010 RX 450H and they put in regular oil. I caught it right a way because of the amount billed and had them change it. Could this cause any damage? Tech says no.

fastnoypi

if your owners manual is similar to my rx350, the synthetic oil changes will last 10k miles whereas regular oil is a required 5k mile interval. You should be fine as long as it is the recommended weight.

markrivers

Nope.
If you have kept it, then you need to change it around 3,000 miles vs the 10,000 mile recommendation for a 0W-20

vlad_a

Shouldn't be an issue. I had a Lexus dealership put the regular oil in my IS300 a few years ago by an accident, when they were only supposed to do an alignment and tire balancing. I had them dump and replace with synthetic, which I used from the first oil change. Just do the next change earlier than 10K miles.

I am surprised Toyota does not do 0w20 synthetic by default. I believe all of their models were certified for its use.

jwalker678

Caught it before I left the dealer so I guess no harm other than my time.

RX330inFL

What did they put in? Standard 5W30?

In agreement with the others than no harm was done.

markrivers

Before leaving the service advisor's desk, he/she will print an estimate for you to sign.
THIS is your first opportunity to check.
Synthetic oil change ( including labor) will be over $30.

Regular, on the other hand will be the $19.99 or lower.

corradoMR2

Good point.

raylor4

The first warranty oil change was done at 37,707, 3/20/14. Now, after only 3,000 miles, two months, the oil is blackish and smelled like old regular drain oil, via the dip stick. The RO states 6.4 qts @ $5.75 ea. 5W30CAS SYN 0 - (WARRANTY). SA said this is a typo and "they all print out that way" He said 0W20 SYN went in. I made a note of it on the RO.
The windshield sticker says Castrol 0W20 SYN, due back at 42,707, only 5,000 miles would be on the SYN oil!
I have no experience with synthetic oil, so I don't know what it should look or smell like after 3,000 miles. The regular oil in my Highlander looks new after 3,000 miles.
I'm wondering if the dealer penciled the oil change because the car was ready in about one hour including a wash and dry. Seemed odd they would insist I have a loaner for such a short time.
Anyway, I'm thinking about having the oil analyzed to see if it's regular and about how many miles are on it.
I've never had oil analyzed before, who typically does this? Regular auto parts store?
All comments, opinions and advice welcome.
Ray A.

fastnoypi

there is no difference in smell of used conventional oil and synth oil. Blackish in color doesnt mean much either, the detergents are doing their thing. If you want to get your oil analyzed you have to send a sample out to a lab.
Blackstone Labs is very popular with automotive and will give you feedback on possible wear, oil recommendations and oil change intervals based on your input for oil type, vehicle type, current milage.

Also, large farm equipment service/retail companies also offer the service too.
John Deere has their Oilscan oil analysis program.

Basic analysis ranges from $12-35 depending on what part of the country you are located.

Check out the http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/ forums for how to read oil analysis as well as comparisons of others that may have tested on the same engine.

felix168

Aside from maybe, just maybe, losing a tad MPG when using 5W30 Syn over 0W20, your car will probably drive better. There are folks who mix 5qt of 0W20 and 1 qt of 0W40 and claim their RXs don't vibrate as much when idling. You can do a search online to find out for yourself.

One thing about synthetic oil is that it doesn't break down the way like conventional oil does, but it does get dirty (darken) very fast simply because the detergent in the oil is working.

rxsuperman

Is there any difference whatsoever between Mobil 1 0W-20 and Toyota 0W-20 oil? Or are all 0W-20 oil the same no matter the brand?

chuckGS350

Synthetic oil shouldn't be blackish after 3000 miles. Only conventional oil. Unless they didn't change the oil filter.
Due back in 5000 miles on the sticker is correct. No oil change only tire rotation.

raylor4

Thank you Chuck, Felix and fast. I will get back on this thread when I have more news.
Ray A.

felix168

so you're contradicting the people at Mobil 1?

http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/...Frequency.aspx

quote: Since one of the key engine oil tasks is to keep internal components clean and free from varnish and harmful deposits, when the oil is drained, the contaminants are removed with it, so it is normal for the oil to be black as it comes out of the engine and it may still conserve its properties even if the color of the oil is black.

http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/...Motor_Oil.aspx

quote: Motor oils contain detergent and dispersant additives that suspend contaminants and combustion by-products. This can be the reason why the oil may look dirty or black, meaning the oil is doing its job.