GFarra31

Hi Everyone,

I tried searching this topic but didn't have much luck. My RX350 is due for its first oil change. I know the first is free at Lexus, but the closest dealer is about 40 miles....not worth it for me.

I'm going to use an indy shop for my routine maintenance instead. I know the engine needs 5w30 oil. Have people been using synthetic or conventional oils?

I've used Mobil 1 in my other cars. Lexus service told me not to use synthetic, but didn't tell me why

What have you all used in your RX's?

Thank you

George

biff44

I usually run regular oil at the first oil change, to insure that the rings seat properly, and then synthetic for every change after that. If the rings do not seat well, your engine will burn oil for its entire life.

Also, make sure you do not baby the engine too much at the start of its life. Go out of your way to floor it going up a hill every now and then, for instance.

GFarra31

Thanks for the info. I'll run a good conventional oil for a little while longer. I had a good couple of runs to my folks up in the Catskills....a lot of mountain driving. I definately pushed it up the hills....pretty peppy engine, I must say.

I learned about the mountain driving to break in an engine and properly seat the rings a while back. Having a house in the mountain helps

Thanks again

George

Grumpa72

Similarly, I run dino oil until the first oil change at 5000 miles. That ensures that the rings seat well. This is definetly overkill since many NEW cars such as Corvette and Porsche come with Mobil 1 in the crankcase for their break-in period. In addition, the rings on virtually every car will seat within the first 500 miles and you are already well beyond that. I am an advocate of Mobile 1 products and use it in the differential too.

I think you will be fine changing over to synthetic at your first change.

Gary

xfirechief

I started using synthetic after 5K. I recently changed all the lubes to synthetics at 50K. Tranny, & all drive train gears & I use Amsoil. have used it since 1980 in all our vehicles & never a problem.

geko29

Just got our second (10k) change at the dealer, I presume they use conventional. I'll be putting Amsoil in it starting at 15k, then trying to rachet up the interval with the help of used oil analysis. My goal is 10k, which may not be doable because of the relatively shallow sump. But 7500 shouldn't be a problem. However, even if you make the switch to synthetic (which I do recommend) do not arbitrarily increase your interval without doing a UOA to make sure it's safe.

xfirechief

Great comment from geko29. I did oil analysis for years & it shows exactly whats in your oil & if you should continue using it. I always get 20K & most times higher mileage before the USO says to change.
Amsoil does make a 7500 mile oil too but I use their best fo a few $$ more.

biff44

You are probably right about the rings. By 5000 miles they are probably seated as good as they are going to get.

Grumpa72

Imo, extending oil change intervals beyond the factory 5000 mile interval is risky simply for the sake of warranty issues. Ok, so you do an oil analysis and they say that the oil is fine, metal content is nil, yada yada. Then you have an engine issue and I would guess that the first thing that Lexus says is that "your warranty is void for failing to follow the specified oil change interval." Imho, oil is cheap insurance, even synthetic at $5+ per quart. I use synthetic Mobil 1 5W-30 done at 5000 mile intervals and, as far as I am concerned, I have already extended it from my usual 3000 to 5000. To me, the use of synthetic at 5000 intervals is overkill but I keep my cars a long time so it is worth it. Like I said, just my opinion.

Gary
'05 330

The G Man

Thats good advise Gary.

Booyah

10K oil changes are no problem in todays motors and Synthetic oils IMO. I do the oil analysis as well and its all good in both my toyota and Lexus

GFarra31

Thanks everyone! I was suprised to find out that Lexus uses conventional oil and recommends 5k intervals.....maybe I'm old fashioned but I've never run conventional oil past 4k. I have switched to Mobil 1 in my other cars and do a 7,500 change interval.

Thanks again

George

DaveJ

On my our Lexus' I initially started with dino oil. I later switched both cars to synthetic. I change the oil every 5K miles.

Lexmex

Most vehicles today don't need the conventional stuff when they are born, but still I would run at least 3K miles before changing over to synthetic. Mobil 1 is only in my inventory if nothing else is available, I stopped using it when I heard they had different basestocks and went to a German Castrol 0W30 (hard to find), though an excellent oil like Amsoil is also a possibility. Still haven't got a chance to check out Redline or Royal Purple in my RX, but since the Castrol I am using now is really good, it might be a while.

AM1

iTrader: (6)

is syntehtic that much better?