Ironman50

Took my 2008 GS 350 to the Mobil 1 Lube Express (I have been very loyal to my local Louisville Lexus dealership). Decided on their Extended Performance 5W-30 synthetic oil. Mobil says I can go a minimum of 7,500 miles before my next oil change. They use individual quarts vs. dealership using a large oil drum. Cost was $67 (same price as Lexus dealership). Anyone has opinions on this would be appreciated. Good idea using Mobil synthetic oil vs. dealership?

sprtdsgnGS

I don't see why not. The dealership has higher markup. Some people like the dealership just so there is record of all work done.

06ausiecar

I've been using mobile 1 synthetics for years. I just changed my oil last night and after every 3000 miles im pleasantly surprised how nice it looks coming out. My GTO came stock with mobile 1. I buy it by the 5 qt jugs since all my cars take the same thing. Toyota filters, BMW filter and ac delco one lol I also only go 3000 miles on oil changes religiously though and don't really drive the cars hard. I could definitely see going 5k on a oil Change but I don't know if I do go more.

Valley101

No matter how long the oil may be rated for you still have to change it at least as often as the manufacturer states in the manual. I believe the 08 is every 5000 miles in order to maintain the warranty. Changing Synthetic every 3000 is a waste of many and as stated in other comment "how clean it looks coming out". Your flushing money down the drain and there is no benefit in using synthetic if you are changing that often. I have a new lexus and a new 4 RUNNER. The 4RUNNER's recommended change is every 10,000 or 1 year. The new lexus is every 7500 or 1 year. Previously, starting in the very early 80's I owned german made autos and used Amsoil. The warranty back then was like 12 months. So after that I changed it every 15,000, even though they recommended 25,000. But great improvements have been made in oil technology and I would go the maximum when the vehicle is no longer under manufacturer's warranty. Have had many cars and trucks and some have been driven hard and in the mountains in the Sierra's in CA. Some of those mountains are very high and very steep. Puts a load on the drivetrain and I never had a lubricant problem.

Yopeterson

Not a bad deal. Swope charges me right at $100 for mobile 1 0w20 full synthetic. I think my GS 460 holds about 9.1 qts, I can't change it myself for less than that. I usually run it 5-6k between services. I do like how Swope looks over the whole car for any other issues.

Bavaria

Lexus recommends an oil/filter change every 5k on my '07 GS350. However, conventional oil is used.
My wife has a '10 RX350, but now the interval is 10k miles, using synthetic.
Three years ago I told my SA I plan on doing 7.5k changes on my GS but using synthetic. He stated there would be no problem. I've since done four oil/filter changes using Mobil1 - no problems whatsoever.

06ausiecar

I'll keep wasting my money. If I can afford the car what's 60 bucks every 3000 miles? My moms new runner is recommended every 10k. She has 19 on it now and 4 almost to be 5 changes under its belt. To each his/her own though. Toyota's 5k service is check fluids. Rotate tires and check floor mats. Both in new Toyotas and scions. Good thing it's free.

Ironman50

Yopeterson,

What yr is your GS 460?
My service advisor at Lexus dealership is John Dean.
The Mobil Express I mention is right down the street on Blankenbaker across from Southeast.

Yopeterson

Same year as yours, 08. I know that mobile 1 express, I live in Middletown. Don't think I have ever had John as a service advisor. I do think Lexus of Louisville is one of the best dealships in town. Never have had any issues compared to others in town.

06ausiecar

I've dealt with both lexus in Louisville and Cleveland along with the ones near me in nky

06ausiecar

I've dealt with both lexus in Louisville and Cleveland along with the ones near me in nky. Both Louisville and Cleveland were amazing, river center/ performance are terrible.

GS350Lexus

iTrader: (5)

Honestly speaking the only real way to know when you need to change oil, is when the car stood all night and before starting it checking the oil dip stick. If its black it needs change ASAP, if its still brownish and you are ok. Some people can go 10k miles, some can go 3k. I personally use mobil 1 synteic, and change around 4k-5k miles. Last oil change the was exactly 5k miles and the oil came out really black. I am planing to change this oil at around 3k miles.

Boron

Oil turning black signifies the sum of sod all squared!
Stop being potentially wasteful, and use the oil to it's full capabilities/durability.
If you don't know when that is, spend $25-30 on an oil analysis, and it'll tell you how much reserve capacity remains.
This whole US-based 3-5K oil changes is archaic and relates to a time when mineral oils were the only option.
Now with synthetics and the plethora of modifiers/additives included, that short life expectancy nonsense can be consigned to the annals of history, all things being equal.

If your 3-5K miles are mainly short trips where the engine barely reaches optimum temperature, then you will be stressing the oil more, and shortening it's longevity.
If not, then you're wasting perfectly good working oil for no good reason, and having an analysis done will confirm how much further it can last, and give indications for monitoring certain aspects if the wear metals are higher than what's considered normal.

www.kewengineering.co.uk/Auto_oils/index.htm and www.bobistheoilguy.com - worth reading to get some clue as to how oil works, and what figures to look for on product spec sheets, or ask for if not given.
Most of the big players tend not to reveal HTHS and/or TBN - the latter of which is the neutralizer to all the acidic compounds generated from the combustion process.

Whilst $70 or so twice a year is no big deal, why spend it if you don't actually need to?

samsonn25

07 GS450h here with 191k miles and the last 4 oil changes I did were about 10-11k miles apart, twice I used regular 5-30 twice synthetic. I add synthetic when it gets low because it burns oil about 1 quart every 3500-4000 miles.