Opinion on a 4 year old engine oil interval with 10kms
#1
Driver
Thread Starter
Opinion on a 4 year old engine oil interval with 10kms
So I am interested in buying this 2008 ISF with 50k kms but the owner told me he hasnt changed the oil since 2012. He inherited the car and all maintenance was done up until 2012. He has driven the car for another 10k kms since 2012.
So my question is do you think the engine is okay? I know oil doesnt really degrade on its own, however, it does degrade more if the car is driven short distances. This is because the engine doesnt get a chance to burn off the excess gas in the oil and gas in the oil reduces the viscosity of the oil.
Please let me know your thoughts.
Thanks in advance!
So my question is do you think the engine is okay? I know oil doesnt really degrade on its own, however, it does degrade more if the car is driven short distances. This is because the engine doesnt get a chance to burn off the excess gas in the oil and gas in the oil reduces the viscosity of the oil.
Please let me know your thoughts.
Thanks in advance!
Last edited by drifto; 09-02-16 at 11:51 PM. Reason: Missing info
#2
I wouldn't buy it if the owner can't be bothered with changing the oil, especially if he's trying to sell it. Shows that he doesn't give a damn about the car or knows anything about how to take care of it.
#3
Super Moderator
I know of an RX300 owned by a friend that ran Royal Purple 5W30 for 10K miles and only recently changed oil that had not been changed since 2012, 4 years. Oil came out milky, but vehicle has been running fine since the change. He is now running Pennzoil Platinum 5W30.
Is mostly a short commute car only occasionally on highway.
Is mostly a short commute car only occasionally on highway.
#4
Lexus Fanatic
Welcome to CL as a first-time poster.
With petroleum-based oil (and even more so with synthetic), the oil viscosity itself doesn't necessarily break down with time, but the additive packages in the oil do. Those additives do several important functions besides simple straight lubrication.
With petroleum-based oil (and even more so with synthetic), the oil viscosity itself doesn't necessarily break down with time, but the additive packages in the oil do. Those additives do several important functions besides simple straight lubrication.
#5
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
i wouldn't sweat it... situation should enable you to get an even better deal.
#6
#7
Lexus Fanatic
With modern oils, especially synthetics I would not worry about it as long as there was the proper amount of oil in it and the internals were being lubricated when it was being driven. 10K kilometers in 4 years is not a lot at all, there is not much if any maintenance that would be crucial or very important in those 4 years. Get it checked out by a Lexus dealer or mechanic you trust but I would not be concerned with the oil. Some oil companies are saying their synthetic oil is good for 10K or more miles these days though I feel more comfortable changing it sooner.
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#9
Driver
Thread Starter
Thanks for all your coments guys. I have decided to purchase the vehicle.
After owning a few german cars, always using liqui moly I cant decide on which 5w30 to use on the ISF. They have 2039, 2011, 2249, and 2244.
Thanks in advance again.
After owning a few german cars, always using liqui moly I cant decide on which 5w30 to use on the ISF. They have 2039, 2011, 2249, and 2244.
Thanks in advance again.
Last edited by drifto; 09-05-16 at 12:05 PM. Reason: Update
#11
Lexus Champion
Last edited by bagwell; 09-07-16 at 01:35 PM.
#12
Lexus Fanatic
Lubro/Liqui Moly makes great products but I have read their synthetic oil is not much if any better quality then Mobil 1 Synthetic. I don't think their 5W30 is a group 4 synthetic and is more of a group 3 highly refined semi synthetic like Mobil which should be fine for your Lexus but if you are paying more for the Liqui Moly oil then Mobil 1 it may not really be worth it. German Castrol is a group 4 synthetic though it is only available in OW30 but that should be fine for anything requiring 5W30. Amsoil is one of the best oils but it is expensive to have it shipped to you. You may want look into a Lubro Moly engine flush if you are worried about your oil before doing the oil change.
#14
Super Moderator
I don't necessarily disagree with changing it twice, but wouldn't spend the coin on synthetic for the first--and that's coming from someone who's used exclusively synthetic for 20+ years. Just get the cheapest oil that meets the requirements. You're essentially doing a flush, so the long-term detergent and anti-shear properties of a good synthetic don't buy you anything.
#15
Driver
Thread Starter
Congrats on teh buy.
Lubro/Liqui Moly makes great products but I have read their synthetic oil is not much if any better quality then Mobil 1 Synthetic. I don't think their 5W30 is a group 4 synthetic and is more of a group 3 highly refined semi synthetic like Mobil which should be fine for your Lexus but if you are paying more for the Liqui Moly oil then Mobil 1 it may not really be worth it. German Castrol is a group 4 synthetic though it is only available in OW30 but that should be fine for anything requiring 5W30. Amsoil is one of the best oils but it is expensive to have it shipped to you. You may want look into a Lubro Moly engine flush if you are worried about your oil before doing the oil change.
Lubro/Liqui Moly makes great products but I have read their synthetic oil is not much if any better quality then Mobil 1 Synthetic. I don't think their 5W30 is a group 4 synthetic and is more of a group 3 highly refined semi synthetic like Mobil which should be fine for your Lexus but if you are paying more for the Liqui Moly oil then Mobil 1 it may not really be worth it. German Castrol is a group 4 synthetic though it is only available in OW30 but that should be fine for anything requiring 5W30. Amsoil is one of the best oils but it is expensive to have it shipped to you. You may want look into a Lubro Moly engine flush if you are worried about your oil before doing the oil change.