PolarBear

OK so I just got a 2001 RX300 about a week ago. Prior to that, it was sitting in a garage for about a month. I just looked at the little oil change sticker and it says to change it at 29,7-- or by 9/7/06. I only have 27,7-- right now.

My question is should I go by the date or ride it out and get closer to the miles?

TIA

TunedRX300

The only scientific way to determine the optimal oil change interval is to send an use oil sample for a lab report. RX300's 1mzfe is known to chew oil, as in depleting acid neutralization additive and shear oil much faster than Lexus' severe schedule. If you are using mineral based oil and a lot of stop and go traffic, be very careful or you will have to rely on Lexus sludge warranty

RTIS250

iTrader: (9)

Id probably go by the time recommendation rather than the milage. the 1MZ does have a problem with sludging when oil is left in too long, and if you do a lot of stop and go, or brief run times. Be safe.. spend the 30-50 bucks and get an oil change... just my opinion.

Pheonix

LMAO
Every engine ever created will sludge oil if left in there too long. 1mz's don't sludge oil... Owners that never change their oil sludge oil.


Unless you do stop & go driving. 5,000 miles on a descent dino oil. On a good dino oil. Toyota v6's provide nearly no appreciable wear on the oil until around 7500 miles. About every synthetic owner doing extended drain intervals turn up 10,000 mile oil anylisys, only to be told to drive another 2000 mile & change it then.
Everyone's engines are different... But that's all you need to know about oil changes.

Nothing will turn out wear rates & mileage more consistantly than mobil1 synthetic. $20 for a 5 quart jug @ wallmart. Can't be beat. AMSoil is only argueably better in anylisis on them, yet costs much more & isn't easily avalible.



But do whatever floats your own boat. 5,000 miles should show very little wear if its not some bottom of the barrel crap.

TunedRX300

Owner never change oil? Did I just read this from a customer blaming PR director from Toyota?
Here are some data:
A Camry with the same 1mzfe engine put on 3587 oil miles, reported Total Base Number of 2.7, low on acid neutralization additive considering the margin of error on meaured TBN is ~2. Oil is sheared to 8.5 cSt to become 20 weight oil
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/...=003650#000000
Another 1mzfe with 2400 miles, TBN is 0.5, Lead is high, oil is 20 weight again. If I want to run 20 weight oil, I would pour in 5w-20. Anyone with a logical sense would not pour in 30 weight oil, only to have the engine chew it up so much that it becomes a 20 weight shortly. And you are suggesting the owner of this car to drive until 5000 oil miles?
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/...=000229#000004
RX300 is 500 lbs heavier and even more taxing on the same engine, suggesting 5K on dino, 10K on syn is a blanket statement that does not apply to 1mzfe.
Give me a link to an UOA of dino oil in RX300 that lasts >5K, or stop giving out wrong advice.

PERRYinLA

The advice may be right or wrong, but it answers questions PolarBear never asked.

All he wants to know is if his oil has "expired" as of Sept. 9th and the answer is no, it hasn't. Oil is not like milk, and that (probably) 3-month oil change "recommendation" of whoever placed that sticker there is because they want to sell yet another profitable oil change sooner, rather than later.

So, to answer what PolarBear asked: don't go by the date.
Ride it out and get closer to the miles.

PolarBear

Thanks everybody, I'll probably go get it to just be safe. It was a family members car so they took real good care of initially and didn't drive it a ton 2001 with 27K miles. It sat in their garage for bout a month after they got their 2007 and then I bought it. I do do a lot of stop and go driving with going to work so I think I'll go get it just to be safe.

I guess my question was sorta like Perry put it, since it was sittin for a month not driving or startin, should I go by the date (that's expired) or the milage (which I will get up to 2K in about a month and a half; the mileage listed on the sticker to change at).

TunedRX300

PolarBear,
If you read my previous post, it answered your current question. Lexus' rule of thumb of 4 month or 5K for severe service schedule does not apply to 1mzfe. Do you ever wonder with so many engines Toyota offers, why they have the same service schedule? It is naive to think all Toyota engines treat oil the same.
I doubt you only care about oil change until the next scheduled event. You are going to keep the RX longer than that, right?
If I were you, I would go to Walmart and pick up 5 quart bottle of Mobil 1 and a FRAM Extended Guard (only Extended Guard) and change oil immediately, drive for 5000-6000 miles and send off an oil sample. Total would not cost you more than $50, including parts and the analysis if you DIY. Not only you have peace of mind but also gather valuable information and a preventative maintenance checkup. But that is my $0.02