gthenry1

Does anyone know what the best oil to use in my sc 400?

psychot|K

royal purple or redline
but i'd say royal purple...they make a great tranny fluid as well.

Bentley1

I'd use Valvoline for the engine and Toyota type IV for the Tranny. Stay away from oil additives, and "gimmicky" oil products.

DIrEctQL

Mobil1 or Valvoline. 10W30 or if the temperatures drop below freezing use 5W30.

Chris

9inarow

Bentley, when you mean "gimmicky", do you mean something like Valvoline's V-max? It's supposed to be used for higher mileage automobiles.

I've been using it for the past year, but am not really sure it's making any difference over conventional motor oil. It's not as expensive as synthetic, but about twice the cost of conventional.

ChrisK

iTrader: (1)

Engine - Amsoil SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil
Trans - Toyota IV (and only Toyota IV)

Bentley1

Valvoline makes great oil, so I wouldn't consider them as being gimmicky. The one's I'm talking about are those products you see on the late night infomercials. Another one I don't trust (please don't anyone flame me for this, it is a matter of opinion), is Amsoil. I just don't believe in a product that is sold on a multi-level marketing pyramid schematic, that claims the moon and the stars. I've heard some guys claim that they can go over a year without changing their oil, bla-bla-bla. Please...

DIrEctQL

Ya, also, if you're trying higher miladge oil keep in mind that the benefits of this oil are long term.

T0ked

iTrader: (2)

Do people use Toyota Type-IV tranny fluid in the SC300 also? My manual says to use the Toyota fluid for the SC4, but Dexron Type II for the SC3. My car is a 1993 SC300, BTW... Also, what do people use for the Power steering fluid? Cap says to use Dexron Typ II ATF. Was thinking about Mobil synthetic ATF. Good idea? Can you mix it with regular ATF?

To answer the thread, , use either 10W-30 or 5W-30, people here seem to use either weight and have fine results. I use Mobil 1 10W-30. I've heard good things about Valvoline. As long as you change the oil regularly, you should be fine with any brand.

stock300

My 93 SC300 owner's manual, shop manual, dip stick, and even the drain plug all specify Dexron for ATF. Mobil synthetic ATF is compatible with Dexron. It may be that later SC300's with the 5-speed auto's used Toyota T type. My LS400 uses Type T for the ATF ($26 for a 4 liter can). I'll be curious to see what the drain plug says if anything. Personally, I wouldn't put T type in an SC300 unless it was specified somewhere.
I use Mobil synthetic for the engine oil.

SCV8

The newer blend of 0W-40 in Mobil One is a very good oil.
Stick with Toyota brand ATF.

1994 LS400

Hello ~
Well back @ 104,000-105,000 I went Over to Mobil 1 5W-30 and well it seemed to be A OK, untill I returned back from vacation. As soon as I got into my car (after sitting for 2 1/2 weeks) I noticed a large oil spot on my gargae floor. Sure enough it was my Rear Main Seal. Sure I Have no proof that it was fully the Mobil 1 at fault but I have become quite weary of it on older models (I have 109,000 miles). After seeing this I rushed out and put in Valvoline's MaxLife 5W-30 in it is supposed to swell the seals back up??. So 375-400 miles later I still have the leak very slow, but it seems to still be the Mobil 1 comming out ?!? It has a pronounced smell (at least compared to the MaxLife). So that Is my story
Paul

LexJunkie

I have heard stories about synthetics casusing leaks on high millage engines?? In my case, my first 90 LS400 went on a Mobil 1 diet at ~140K and 40K miles later not a drip. In my current LS400 (also 90), I started using Mobil 1 at 120K and now at 165K, no leaks

1994 LS400

Hey ~
I wonder If I am fighting a lost cause, I wonder if the leak will seize, I REALLY HOPE SO ! I check the car everyday and it still leaks, but it seems to be the Mobil 1 ??? that confuses Me , I would love to have an engine 101, is it possible that the Mobil 1 would stay in the engine for this long ?? I did watch the guy change the oil and yes I still saw a minimal (VERY small) flow of Mobil 1 when he put the drain plug back in ?? Keeping my fingers crossed.
Paul

pcmw

Hey guys,

Peter did a great job at analysis on several of the oils you guys mentioned.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=71059

MW