How often should I change my oil?
05-05-06, 12:50 AM
#1
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How often should I change my oil?
Just bought a 96 ES300 a few months ago. Changed the oil to synthetic Mobil 1 and currently using a Wix oil filter. Car has 140k miles on it. What should my oil change intervale be? SInce I'm using a higher quality filter and oil, would every 5000 miles be good? I'm going to be consistent and keep using high quality filter and oil in my car.
05-05-06, 05:21 AM
#2
More details about your driving pattern please. How many miles per month? Is it mostly highway, or stop-and-go? Do you fit any of the "harsh driving conditions" criteria in your owner's manual?
05-05-06, 08:54 AM
#3
Lexus Champion
I would lean toward a Mobil 1 or K & N synthetic fiber oil filter over the paper Wix. If you go with a paper filter, the Toyota is one of the best at a $5 price.
I do mine every three months, regardless of the milage. Five thousand mile change intervals is good with any oil. Just try to be consistant with brand and weight of whatever oil you use.
I do mine every three months, regardless of the milage. Five thousand mile change intervals is good with any oil. Just try to be consistant with brand and weight of whatever oil you use.
05-05-06, 12:10 PM
#4
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I would say about 300 miles per week. Roughly 1200 per month. Mix of highway and city driving, maybe stop and go traffic for 30 minutes three or four times a month. I live in Sunny Cali, so no really harsh conditions. I do park outside in front of my house though.
05-05-06, 12:49 PM
#5
There are different opinions out there, but I'd say you'd do very nicely changing at 4-month/5,000 mile intervals with a high-quality non-synthetic oil (e.g. Castrol GTX) and a Lexus/Toyota oil filter. Of course, there are those who would say 3-months/3,500 miles and/or synthetic oil. I'm assuming you don't do much 70+ mph driving. If you do regularly do 70+mph driving, then I'd be inclined to recommend the more agressive oil changing strategy.
I live in the Washington DC area and, even breaking the speed limits (all 55 mph or less), I don't do over 65 mph normally in this area.
I live in the Washington DC area and, even breaking the speed limits (all 55 mph or less), I don't do over 65 mph normally in this area.
05-05-06, 08:30 PM
#6
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I agree: 5000 miles, regular oil, even for 75. 3000 rpm is not excessive for regular oil.
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05-06-06, 01:31 PM
#8
Lexus Champion
I might be steppin' in it, but, here it go's.... take this for what it's worth.
(Many posts on this dino vs synthetic debate)
- Engine design is for regular oil. Toyota/Lexus recommended, there's no gettin' around it. It's because synthetic oil is not available everywhere on earth.
- Cost per quart ; I feel oil is expendable and a cleaning agent. It should be changed often using the best of filters ...
- And you have 140 thousand miles logged...without oil leakage.... Is it worth the risk to start leaking the thinner oil, regardless?
- The cost to repair a leak would override any savings by using the synthetic.
Mabee on a younger auto with less mileage, synthetic may be of value.
(Many posts on this dino vs synthetic debate)
- Engine design is for regular oil. Toyota/Lexus recommended, there's no gettin' around it. It's because synthetic oil is not available everywhere on earth.
- Cost per quart ; I feel oil is expendable and a cleaning agent. It should be changed often using the best of filters ...
- And you have 140 thousand miles logged...without oil leakage.... Is it worth the risk to start leaking the thinner oil, regardless?
- The cost to repair a leak would override any savings by using the synthetic.
Mabee on a younger auto with less mileage, synthetic may be of value.
05-06-06, 05:19 PM
#10
Isn't it more logical to fix a bad seal to solve oil leaking problem. To cover up a problem by using wax like engine oil is a inferior solution to solving the cause.
A direct quote from http://www.quakerstate.com/pages/carcare/whattoknow.asp
A direct quote from http://www.quakerstate.com/pages/carcare/whattoknow.asp
Myth #5
Synthetic oil causes engine leaks.
Synthetic motor oils eat gasket material and cause engines to leak.
Synthetic motor oils affect engine seals and result in excessive oil leakage.
Synthetic oil can’t be used on high-mileage engines.
Synthetic and synthetic blend motor oils cannot be used in older or high-mileage vehicles.
Fact
Synthetic oils do not cause engine oil leaks. Deteriorated and hardened seals and gasket material cause engine oil leaks. If the seals are already leaking with conventional motor oil, they will leak with synthetic oil. If the seals are in good condition, synthetic oils may be used in high-mileage engines.
Synthetic oil causes engine leaks.
Synthetic motor oils eat gasket material and cause engines to leak.
Synthetic motor oils affect engine seals and result in excessive oil leakage.
Synthetic oil can’t be used on high-mileage engines.
Synthetic and synthetic blend motor oils cannot be used in older or high-mileage vehicles.
Fact
Synthetic oils do not cause engine oil leaks. Deteriorated and hardened seals and gasket material cause engine oil leaks. If the seals are already leaking with conventional motor oil, they will leak with synthetic oil. If the seals are in good condition, synthetic oils may be used in high-mileage engines.
05-11-06, 11:51 PM
#11
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I have a 1998 Lexus es300 and my manual recommends 5000 to 7000 with synthetic oil depending on driving habits and harsh weather but I’ve been just fine doing it at every 5000miles (and by the way, my car goes about 90mph each day and runs like its brand new, I just had every fluid flushed and filled the other day)
04-17-10, 10:57 PM
#12
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Every 3,000 miles....no if, ands, or buts. With either conventional or synthetic (don't recommend) change it every 3,000. It is extremely important!!! I speak from experience. Sludge is something that you do not want to see in your engine.
