Canesguy

Everything I've read and all the gear heads I've spoken to have gone along with a 12mo./10000 mi. synthetic oil change interval.

Many DIY-ers and gearheads who do the change at 5000 mi. intervals say something like with their prized and second most expensive possession, they don't "trust" the 10000 mi. recommendation. Yet, they cannot really give objective evidence to back their shortened 5000 mi. interval, at least not that I've ever heard.

Max707

If your going to "keep" your car long term, 100k+ Miles then follow the "severe use" manufactures recommendation . Which with Lexus is oil/filter change every 5k miles. This is what I do, because I never know how long I will keep my vehicle. I have 127k miles on my 2005 LX470, so I am glad I did it with that vehicle. On a lease vehicle that I traded for my new ES 350, I just waited until the change oil light came on

lesz

I think that the Lexus recommended oil change interval of 10,000 miles for full synthetic oil is toward the conservative end of the spectrum. For example, BMW is recommending full synthetic oil changes at 15,000 mile intervals. I can't imagine that BMW production tolerances are that much tighter than those of Lexus or that the BMW recommended Mobil 1 full synthetic oil offers improved protection over Toyota full synthetic oil to the extent that BMWs can safely go with oil change intervals 50% longer than can Lexus vehicles. Thus, I'm in the camp that says that doing the changes at intervals shorter than 10,000 is being overly and unnecessarily cautious.

The reality is that both lubricants and engine tolerances have improved significantly, and, regardless of whether Jiffy Lube would still like to have you think that you are going to destroy your engine if you don't change the oil every 3000 miles, I think that you are being more than sufficiently safe following manufacturer's recommendations. I've done so (and have to reluctantly admit that, occasionally, I get lazy and push it a bit beyond the recommended levels), and vehicles that I've owned, some with over 150,000 miles on them, have run as good at the end of my ownership as they did on the day when they were new. That said, I would pay attention to any of the manufacturer's recommendations for reduced intervals when vehicles are driven in harsh conditions.

Max707

The question I ask is what is severe? If you guess wrong your engine does not last as long I do 3 miles to the gym 3 miles home. Maybe go out that night to dinner and drive another 6-8 mile maybe not. Equals about 5-6k miles a year, I consider that severe service since you have summer heat and winter cold for one oil change. So now were talking Lexus recommended 5k oil changes. I also drive my LX470 but normally when I go into Austin with the crazy drivers on the freeway, big boy weighs close to 6k lbs. but I get the big boy real warmed up about 20-30 miles round trip but still only 5k miles a year and I change oil/filter every 5k miles Mobil 1 synthetic with Toyota filter. Guys on the Landcruiser IH8MUD website follow the same oil change interval and have over 400k miles on their 100 series cruisers. I doubt you will see many of these high strung BMW's with 15-18k mile oil changes hit even 150k miles without engine problems. But I don't think anyone expects much from a 150k mile BMW but they do from a 150 k mile Lexus. Matter of fact I think someone would be asking for major financial problems buying a BMW with that many miles. But again BMW provides free maintance while under warranty. After that and it starts falling apart they are happy for you to pay to fix it.

sderman

I have changed my own oil for the last 45 years, using synthetic oils as soon as they became available. Frankly I never trusted the mechanics (once experienced a loose drain bolt) when in the early days I would bring my own oil (when synthetics were not available at the shop). I never knew if they would use their dino oil and keep the synthetics for themselves. Also it is unrealistic to expect mechanics to allow drain times as long as those done by do-it-yourselfers. But for those who wish to bring your own oil to your mechanic, I'd try Red Purple since the color is readily visible on the dip stick - a great indicator that they used your oil.

Poppa

Here's my 2 cents worth on this subject... Personally I'm old school ( not surprising since I'm bumping 60 ) and it was difficult for me to go 5K miles much less 10K in between oil changes... there are those who will say every 5K is a waste of money. I can't argue that, it might be.. but I also contend that you're not going to hurt a thing by changing oil every 5K ( using synthetics ). So if the cost of the oil change doesn't bother you, then what's the harm in the 5K oil change... If if gives you peace of mind, as it does me, then go for it...

lamikela1

Well said Poppa!!!