komobu

I just picked up a 2005 ES330 that is immaculate! I love this car. Anyways, it has 114k on the clock and I am getting ready to change the oil. I ordered a case of Lexus OE filters, and am wondering if any of you have seen a difference between using regular or synthetic oil as far as engine horse power or MPG. I usually do my oil changes at 5k but may extend it out to the recommended 7.5k miles if I go full synthetic.

Anyways, what I am really asking is if any of you have noticed a difference using synthetic or regular oil.

Thanks for any advice

LeX2K

Massive difference especially if you live in a cold or very hot climate. But you will get many opinions on this subject talking engine oil is not unlike talking religion, everyone has an opinion. I personally use Pennzoil Platinum excellent oil for the money.

Fritz330

I use full synthetic, whichever brand is the cheapest.

lostape45

I dug up some old threads for you to read. Almost everyone agrees on either synthetic blend or full synthetic.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es3...synthetic.html

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es3...oil-brand.html

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es3...-es-300-a.html

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es3...ngine-oil.html

speedkar9

Synthetic oil in my ES330 makes my engine louder especially on cold starts, which is a documented fact with synthetic oils.

For this reason alone I am not going to use synthetic oil again.

imherenow

i have been doing synthetic oil for long time and no problems in engine noise. not sure what kind of noise are you talking about. i love synthetic..i just wish some one could use camera to see the pioston heads to see how is my engine doing.
but so far so good

Oro

I do 7.5k mile oci's with Mobil 1 5w-30 High Mileage. The car runs super smoothly with it and is whisper quiet (same as always). It has 233k on it and burns no oil. I see a real difference in using synthetics. I was a late convert but based on solid evidence, I'm sold.

I think gas quality, the pcu, humidity, and right foot behavior dictate mpg much more than synth. vs. dino is this car. I did see a mild uptick in my SUV when I went to synth but it's a different engine and I had been running a thicker, but not by much, oil. I felt an appreciable difference in that vehicle when I switched to synthetic - quieter, smoother. I use Pennzoil Platinum in it (no real reason, just what I had) and like it a lot too; I'd try either a M1 5w-30 or PP in the same weight. Both are at Walmart and affordable. Combined with a Napa silver or Gold filter, it's a good way to treat your car.

If you have an O'reillys near you, right now they have 6 qts. of Havoline synth DS and a Microguard Filter (same as Napa Silver/Wix basic line) for $15 after rebate/gift card. Through the 24th. I'm going to get two of those later this week and do the oil in my Mom and Dad's two Chevys. I'd rather put M1 or PP in my car, but it's a great price for a decent full synthetic so I'll try it in their cars since the timing is right.

ANother thing you can do to give the synth. a jump start is to run a motor flush through for 15 minutes (or whatever the directions say) to loosen deposits and varnish before you drain the oil. This is a good idea if you are uncertain of the oil change intervals on the car or if you think it did a lot of short trips even if ocis were regular. Tons to choose from on the shelf. Topping up the crank with ATF and running it for a spell works too for this. After that, the synthetic will have less to start cleaning up. Not necessary, but it does work.

Also do yourself a favor and get the WS out of the tranny and get in some good synthetic there, too. Can dramatically improve shifting. Then flush the PS system the same way with the same fluid.

brucelee1

iTrader: (2)

Pennzoil Platinum. Great deal on 5 qt jugs at WalMart.

It is the bomb.

tomf

This purists are going to get their panties in a wad over this statement.

YODAONE

Seeking brand data containing % Phosphorus and Zinc additived for Synthetic 0W-30, 5W-30, and 0W-40 viscosities.

Thanks

Careover

Regular (High Mileage spec) oil with an OEM filter seems to work fine for me.