JASP615

I had my truck serviced with all fluids changed the beginning of Sept. At that time I had an oil change w/synthetic oil (first time using this) prior to using synthetic oil I would have my oil changed every 3 months no matter what. I have put on about 2,300 miles on the truck since the oil change so I don't know if I change my oil by miles or time using the synthetic oil. I have 28,000 miles total on my 06. What should I do?

Thanks
Sami

Craig B

I would change it once a year, or every 5000 miles with synthetic oil.
Once a year if you don't put many miles on it...

Bob GX

Did you switch to synthetic because you wanted to go to an extended oil change interval? My Lexus owner's manuals (I have an 04) don't seem to mention anything about synthetics, but as long as the oil meets the API ratings it doesn't make a technical difference (tho' a lot of people feel strongly that synthetics are better - they still have to meet the requirements for whatever API rating is shown on the oil bottle, etc).

My GX manuals say 5000 miles or 6 months - sounds like you were exceeding that with your every 3 month routine (or is it different for the 06 model?). You sound like the type who'd rather exceed the recommendations in the interest of taking better care of your car - why not follow the 5000 mile / 6 month with the synthetic oil, and still feel good about it?

If you're after the really long intervals between oil changes - you could pull an oil sample and send it for lab analysis - that would give you some actual data to base your decisions on. A lot of fleet owners do that - but for us 'private' owners the cost & trouble of doing the samples - makes more sense to put your money into just changing the oil per the recommendations and not worry about it.

Bob GX

Craig B
I notice you have a 2010 - can you tell me if Lexus has gone to the system where the car 'tells' you when an oil change is needed - or is it still done on the traditional miles/months recommendations?

Just an 'enquiring minds' question.....

My 04 is very, very low mileage - a lot of times less than 1,000 miles in a 6 month period and it looks like 'new' when I drain it out - but I still follow the recommendation in case I ever get into problem and they question if I followed the required maintenance. A car that told you when to change, based on actual use, would be a nice thing!
Bob

Craig B

Hi Bob, I think Lexus uses the old system, BMW does it by the amount of fuel used. Lexus has increased the oil changes to once a year, or 10,000 miles with full synthetic. I think they want to compete with BMW and Mercedes. My LS 460 says once a year, or 5000 miles using full synthetic. I plan to stick with once a year, or 5000 mile oil changes using full synthetic.

JASP615

Hi Craig,
Did the engine change with the 2010 or did just the recommendations change to compete with BMW?

Normally I would be casing the Lexus dealership for a new 2010 GX but since I really love this truck and you could basically eat off the floor of this vehicle (like the rest of my new trucks that I had owned) I decided to hold off and see what's going on in the next year or so. I'm tired of writing large checks for new trucks only to trade them in in 2 1/2 yrs for another. New is great but it wears off fast now that I'm not a kid anymore...LOL. Been there done that.

I just bought a case of Mobil 1 fully synthetic 5w-30 and we will start to change our own oil. Tired of getting back a truck dirty. Now what oil filter do you all use. Hubby has worked on many trucks, we just got lazy. I picked up a case of oil at Costco for 33.00 for 6 qts but I need to go back and buy another because I forgot mine takes 7 qts. I'm going to change the oil in April or May I will have about 4,000 miles on it by then MAYBE but it will be 8 months. We will get a better idea on what the oil looks like then and see if we need to change it even closer then this.

Thanks for all the advice. I really come to trust this site a great deal.
Sami

antonio98

Yes, the engine changed with the 2010 GX. It has a 4.6L V8 and Lexus recommends changing the oil every 12 months or 10k miles with 0W-20.