sleepybobcat

Anybody use full-synthetic engine oil in RX300?
(for example, Mobil 1 tri-synthetic)

I use it for all my other cars(MBs), but not sure if it's
recommended for Lexus engines...


Bob

salimshah

I switched to synthetic after the breakin period. You can not go back to regular oil after switching to synthetic (oil seals swell up).

Local dealership stocks Castrol and Syntech. Some times I take the oil with me (saves $).

The only fact is that one should change the oil and filter at regular basis, The hype is Brand A vs B vs C is better. Engines have been working fine with the natural oil for many decades.

Personal experience: Synthetics are more difficult to wash off, if you get it on your hands.


Salim

chowder

do you know why the seals swell?

LexRX

I thought it was after you used conventional oils that the oil seals would be conditioned by the petrolium and you couldn't go back to regular oil. Not really sure about that, but I use Mobil 1 fully synthetic 5w-30. I brought five quarts to the dealer at my 5k mile service for my RX and made sure they put that in. I will continue to use it - only Mobile 1.

Zieke

I've used it for a couple years now. Oil looks great but I only put around 5000 on per year.

bufferdan

You can switch back and forth between the two every other oil change if you want. Thats a myth. Synthetic is just better all around. http://www.mobiloil.com/usa-english/...o_Mobil_1.aspx

Carver

I used M1 5/30 for 5 years in my RX300 and hope to use it another 5 in this 330.

noku

bufferdan, nice fighter in the background...is that a F-4 Phantom? Are you pilot or weapons officer?

I use Mobile 1 Extended Performance, got 5,000 miles on the oil now and will change at 10,000 or when I need to add a quart, Mobile 1 claims its good for 15,000.

splacek007

I used any kind of dino oil you could think of...QSUD, PYB, MC5000, then I moved to Castrol blended around 95K, and now I'm using Valvoline Synpower at 107K. Next in line is Pennzoil Ultra - which I like in my Toyo LC (Synpower burned a bit in my LC).

I agree. You can go back and forth without harm. I did it in my LC (Syntec to M1 0W-40 and then to Formula Shell dino oil).

Australian

Why would you think for a second that synthetic oil a far superior product wouldn't work. Only real problem is if you have oil leaks it wont clog them up other than that it is far better to use Synthetic as you will never have to change it only the filter as it doesn't burn or go black so you will see any contamination in the oil. Before you add synthetic oil you should buy an engine cleaning product to cycle so that you don't mix too much regular oil from the existing residue left after the oil drain.

LA4Mead

Ask 10 people and get 11 opinons. Change often and likely it won't matter a whole lot. FWIW, I started using (non-"energy conserving") Shell Rotella-T 5w-40 full syn after success in my motorcycles (wet clutch) motorhome (Ford V10) and RV generator. There were a variety of tests the Suzuki VStrom (motorcycle) forums cite, mostly tested for private passenger cars. The "energy conserving" motor oils continue to have an anti-wear additive that the newer oils labled for pass cars "energy-c" lack. I've had no noticable change in MPG. Apparently, it's formulated for commercial vehicles that aren't required to eliminate the wear protection package that oils for passenger vehicles are required. I can hear the subtle difference in each of these motors before and after, especially in the motorcycles and power generator and any of them at cold start. The Rotella-T syn seems to hold up much longer before discoloring. I especially like that it's viscosity range is wider than most other E-C oils. Since I started using it in the RX300, the little puff of blue smoke that would occasionally come up upon cold start has disappeared. BTW, I didn't have the same good experience in my other vehicles with the Rotella-T non-synthetic.

Sometimes I've taken the RX to the Toyota dealer for some service, and they've changed the oil with that 10-30 stuff in the 55 gal drum. No leaks, but I usually change the dealer stuff out by 3,000 miles as it discolors very quickly (oxidization?). I didn't know I couldn't switch; I thought that was something that came out long ago, and since been disproved, but I'm no expert so maybe I should research that more.

I usually pick up the Rotella-T synth at WM for about $19/gallon. It's in the blue bottle.

hypervish

I think a 40 weight is too heavy for the 1MZ-FE. But, it probably shears down to a 30 ,where as a 30 would shear down to a 20.

trhs75

I've used Mobil 1 5W-30 since we got our 99 with 115K miles on it. Works great as far as I can tell.

trips1

I wanted to get people advice on how often (time or miles) everyone is changing the synthetic oil on their RX?

I use Valvoline Synpower and drive around 8K/year and currently get oil change done in around 6 months interval. Was wondering if i can push it to full 1 year.

hypervish

I change it every 5k on synthetic. I drive a little more than 20k per year, as i make multiple road trips to Michigan/Chicago area and down-south to Florida.