joeshome

I recently traded my 2007 LS460 for a new 2013 LS. During my 6 month service visit I was surprised to learn that Lexus requires an oil change every six months or 5K miles. This schedule causes undo expense and time lost. My 2007 LS was on a 10 K schedule as well as my 2011 RX350. It wastes a lot of oil and that cannot be good for the environment. I know the service department likes it because it makes money for them.
How can we as Lexus owner's put pressure on Lexus to fall in line with the rest of the automotive industry and allow 10K miles or 12 months between service when you use synthetic oil.

LexiJeff

I bought my 2013 F-Sport in early '14, and was told that for the 2014 model year, they changed to a 10,000 mile service schedule.

I agree 5,000 miles between services is a pain, and I would be very interested to learn if A) indeed that is true about the 2014, and B), if it is, what exactly about the engine changed to allow the service schedule change. Obviously, it would be the difference between using organic versus synthetic oil, but, what's to say we could not simply use synthetic in our '13s? What specifically about the engine is tuned for or intended for use with synthetic versus organic?

sktn77a

iTrader: (2)

Since the mid-2010 model year, Toyota has gone to a 10,000 mile oil change interval (with synthetic oil) in most of their vehicles. Not sure why Lexus isn't doing this with the LS. There are no differences in the engines - we got a note from Toyota just after we bought our 2010 Prius (for which the maintenance booklet said every 5000 miles with dino oil) saying we could extend the interval to 10,000 miles with synthetic.

I think they were burned with sludging from people who didn't change their oil frequently enough and that is why they have been slow to increase the interval.

alsilverbullet

I have a 14 FSPORT and was told to change my oil every 5k. I am old school and waiting till 10k seems like a long time in my opinion.

williakz

If it makes no engineering sense, it is surely due to government dictate or legal jeopardy, or both.

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

The 9.5 qts synthetic in a LS can do the 10K or a year easily but I'd go 7500 or one year.

Nospinzone

Consumer Reports did the most extensive test I have ever read about motor oil. Basically they concluded a car could go 12,000 miles between oil changes, and keep in mind this report was done in the 1990's and motor oil is much improved since then.

I change my motor oil religiously at 10,000 mile intervals on my Lexus (72K) and my wife's Jag (2001 S-Type with 147K). I also did the same on my 1995 Infiniti Q45a (188K). I do change the oil on the Harley and the Ferrari regardless of mileage (always well under 10K) once a year just before I put them away for the winter since they will sit for about 5 months. I use full synthetic exclusively.

I've never had any engine related problems.

williakz

Not really the point what OIC you use on a 2007 that is out of warranty. The question is what to do with a 2013/2014 model whose maintenance schedule REQUIRES a 5k mile OIC in order to keep your factory warranty in effect. So, would you jeopardize your factory Lexus warranty by going to a 10k mile OIC and then try citing Consumer Reports if/when you have engine trouble (from whatever cause)? Not easy answers to the questions actually asked...

Nospinzone

I have written before that my SA told me the Lexus changed the oil change interval to 10K for 2007 cars. Not wanting to rely on the word of an SA, I wrote to Lexus. I received a reply from them stating that they did indeed extend the oil change intervals to 10K. I believe this has been documented in other threads as well.

However, to ease anyone's comfort level, I would write to Lexus and get it in writing as I did. As a lawyer here on Boston radio as often said, a verbal agreement isn't worth the paper its not written on!

williakz

Could you either tell me WHEN this change was made or help me to find your earlier post where you discuss it? I'm not sure how to do searches within a member's posts. I don't recall ever getting out from under my 5k mile OIC on my 2007 before I traded it in in late 2012 at around 70k miles. Thanks in advance, and I agree that something definitive (NOT Consumer Reports) should be in hand BEFORE one goes off the prescribed factory maintenance schedule.

Nospinzone

Jeez Will, do you know how much time you cost me to finally find my post?!

Here it is (#9)-

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...intervals.html

And BTW, my 2007 is still under warranty. It is good until July, 2015, or 100,000 miles.

Valley101

I was of the opinion that the new Lexus model is every 10,000, but they still had a 6 month interval to bring it in for small things, just to get you in the door.

williakz

Thanks for the link. Not sure it clarified much. As best I can tell (when using full synthetic ONLY):

OIC(miles)......LS Model Year(s)
10,000...........2007-2009 (2007 per Nospin, 2008-2009 assumed based on next)
..5,000...........2010-2012 (per dealer info reported by members in above thread link)
..5,000...........2013 (ditto)
10,000...........2014 (ditto)

Yuck - what a mess!

P.S. Sorry, didn't realize you were still under warranty. It certainly means you're walking the walk with your 10k OIC.

Nospinzone

I agree, it does seem to be a mess if there is confusion for years other than 2007 (I don't really pay attention to other years since it doesn't concern me).

Even for 2007, I wouldn't want anyone to rely solely on my email. They should verify for themselves. For all I know Robert Caldwell spoke out of school. However, he is a company representative and I have it in writing.

All that being said, the chances of any LS having engine problems because the synthetic oil failed to protect the engine for 10K miles are slim to none.

williakz

Again, that's NOT the issue. The point is Lexus LS owners must protect themselves against the possibility of the company denying warranty coverage of (severe) engine problems for owners not complying with "official" engine oil maintenance as to oil type, grade, change interval, and proof. This is NOT an engineering issue, so engine problems due to OIC are irrelevant; rather, it is an issue centered on corporate CYA - a much more significant threat to all of us.