oil
#16
Lexus Test Driver
I'm not sure there's much advantage to changing your factory fill oil at 200 miles, given how well modern engines are built these days.
Last edited by gmanusmc; 03-06-15 at 08:37 AM.
#17
Found a local Lexus master tech with his own shop. Hit up Nelson Guerera at LXT Automotive in Rockville, MD. Dude does legit business at great prices.. your interval maintenance checks 15k, 25k, etc., will run only about $80.. great guy to work with, tell him Savy sent you hopefully there are discounts for reference. Its about an hour drive for me, but he knows his stuff and is worth it.
#18
Lexus Test Driver
If you're using the Toyota genuine motor oil for the IS350, i believe that is full syn. I can't find the link but i recall someone did a test analysis on the oil vs comps and filter comps too and Toyota's oil and filter was ranked 2 out of 10 or something like that (1 being the best).
Found a local Lexus master tech with his own shop. Hit up Nelson Guerera at LXT Automotive in Rockville, MD. Dude does legit business at great prices.. your interval maintenance checks 15k, 25k, etc., will run only about $80.. great guy to work with, tell him Savy sent you hopefully there are discounts for reference. Its about an hour drive for me, but he knows his stuff and is worth it.
Found a local Lexus master tech with his own shop. Hit up Nelson Guerera at LXT Automotive in Rockville, MD. Dude does legit business at great prices.. your interval maintenance checks 15k, 25k, etc., will run only about $80.. great guy to work with, tell him Savy sent you hopefully there are discounts for reference. Its about an hour drive for me, but he knows his stuff and is worth it.
Also, you are correct about TGMO - it's some of the best oil out there and easily achieves the 10k miles between changes that is recommended by Toyota/Lexus.
Last edited by gmanusmc; 03-06-15 at 10:29 AM.
#19
You're kidding, right? Just how do you check the "health" of your oil with the dipstick? You can check the "level" of the oil with the dipstick, but to determine the actual condition of your oil would require a used oil analysis done by a competent lab equipped to do a proper analysis.
While I agree that looking at your oil on the dipstick can point to things like blown head gaskets if it is milky or foamy but otherwise it is bad advice to suggest that looking at oil will be able to tell if it needs to be changed. A lot of people will falsely assume they should change darker looking oil when in reality a darker oil may have plenty of life left and is just doing its job removing contaminates. Yes, I agree, change the oil every 10K miles or one year, whichever comes sooner.
Mike
Mike
I don't want to start up anything else but let's just leave it at changing it every 10k miles, alright?
#20
Lexus Test Driver
Is it really that excessive? Maybe I'll look into it again after 5k. I want to see how the oil looks like. If it is ok to do it every 10k instead, it'll save my a few pennies.
I'm not kidding. Sorry for the lack of better term, "health", but oil lab analysis is not needed from a simple 5k/10k mile oil usage. I'm sure OP just cruises with his car and doesn't race it. Are you suggesting if I want to know the health of my tire air pressure, I'd need to get a sample of the air and do it through a competent lab equipped to do a proper analysis too? Not the same but just for comparison.
I don't have problems with darker oil, it's the solid build up that starts to raise a flag for me, so as the oil level, of course.
I don't want to start up anything else but let's just leave it at changing it every 10k miles, alright?
I'm not kidding. Sorry for the lack of better term, "health", but oil lab analysis is not needed from a simple 5k/10k mile oil usage. I'm sure OP just cruises with his car and doesn't race it. Are you suggesting if I want to know the health of my tire air pressure, I'd need to get a sample of the air and do it through a competent lab equipped to do a proper analysis too? Not the same but just for comparison.
I don't have problems with darker oil, it's the solid build up that starts to raise a flag for me, so as the oil level, of course.
I don't want to start up anything else but let's just leave it at changing it every 10k miles, alright?
Our 350 is our third IS and from what I've seen, these cars are pretty easy on oil under normal driving. TGMO or any quality 0w20 full synthetic will probably easily do the 10k changes that they recommend now. Some folks probably still prefer the 5k or some other interval - it's personal preference.
As others have stated, you should change the oil at least once a year, even if at less than the recommended miles.
Last edited by gmanusmc; 03-06-15 at 10:05 AM.
#21
Not a good idea. I believe Lexus uses a special oil blend to help with breakin. Can anyone confirm?
#22
Driver School Candidate
Not crazy about the OEM BF Goodrich turanza summer tires that came with the car. It is below freezing here sometimes.
Am also thinking about upgrading my Apple I4s to the SIRI as that may be very useful indeed.
Cheers!
#23
Holy moly - why would you pull an apples to oranges comparison on me because you used an incorrect term to describe something? I was merely pointing out that in most cases you can't actually tell the condition of oil just by looking at it.
Our 350 is our third IS and from what I've seen, these cars are pretty easy on oil under normal driving. TGMO or any quality 0w20 full synthetic will probably easily do the 10k changes that they recommend now. Some folks probably still prefer the 5k or some other interval - it's personal preference.
As others have stated, you should change the oil at least once a year, even if at less than the recommended miles.
Our 350 is our third IS and from what I've seen, these cars are pretty easy on oil under normal driving. TGMO or any quality 0w20 full synthetic will probably easily do the 10k changes that they recommend now. Some folks probably still prefer the 5k or some other interval - it's personal preference.
As others have stated, you should change the oil at least once a year, even if at less than the recommended miles.
-Check engine oil level
-Check engine oil appearance
-Visual inspection for oil leaks
-Drain and replace engine oil annually (if needed)
-Replace engine lube oil filters (if oil is replaced)
We just want to simplify it for OP that wants to know when to change his oil, none of this lab test stuff. Check the level and check if there are dirt like matter developing and call that a day. This really escalated from me stating this word "health". What term do I use then? Oil appearance? Oil color?
#24
It's a simple parallel comparison. Visual check on oil is sufficient enough. I only used the term health to judge if it's time to change the oil, not the actual status and chemistry of it. Do you think these independent shops (even the dealerships) will do a lab test just to check your engine oil "health"? The only things they will check that is even related to engine oil are the following:
-Check engine oil level
-Check engine oil appearance
-Visual inspection for oil leaks
-Drain and replace engine oil annually (if needed)
-Replace engine lube oil filters (if oil is replaced)
We just want to simplify it for OP that wants to know when to change his oil, none of this lab test stuff. Check the level and check if there are dirt like matter developing and call that a day. This really escalated from me stating this word "health". What term do I use then? Oil appearance? Oil color?
-Check engine oil level
-Check engine oil appearance
-Visual inspection for oil leaks
-Drain and replace engine oil annually (if needed)
-Replace engine lube oil filters (if oil is replaced)
We just want to simplify it for OP that wants to know when to change his oil, none of this lab test stuff. Check the level and check if there are dirt like matter developing and call that a day. This really escalated from me stating this word "health". What term do I use then? Oil appearance? Oil color?
#25
Lexus Test Driver
It's a simple parallel comparison. Visual check on oil is sufficient enough. I only used the term health to judge if it's time to change the oil, not the actual status and chemistry of it. Do you think these independent shops (even the dealerships) will do a lab test just to check your engine oil "health"? The only things they will check that is even related to engine oil are the following:
-Check engine oil level
-Check engine oil appearance
-Visual inspection for oil leaks
-Drain and replace engine oil annually (if needed)
-Replace engine lube oil filters (if oil is replaced)
We just want to simplify it for OP that wants to know when to change his oil, none of this lab test stuff. Check the level and check if there are dirt like matter developing and call that a day. This really escalated from me stating this word "health". What term do I use then? Oil appearance? Oil color?
-Check engine oil level
-Check engine oil appearance
-Visual inspection for oil leaks
-Drain and replace engine oil annually (if needed)
-Replace engine lube oil filters (if oil is replaced)
We just want to simplify it for OP that wants to know when to change his oil, none of this lab test stuff. Check the level and check if there are dirt like matter developing and call that a day. This really escalated from me stating this word "health". What term do I use then? Oil appearance? Oil color?
I read your posts all the time - you seem like a good guy from all indications - you do whatever is comfortable for you in the maintenance of your vehicle.
The OP got the right advice from the posters here, so I think everything is fine.
#28
Same here.
I get my oil change every 5000~8000km with 5W-30.
I believe the manufacturers would want to car break down more than any one else and that's how they will engineer their vehicles so they can keep their job.
Oil change is cheap while replacing the engine is expensive.
I rather be safe than sorry.
I get my oil change every 5000~8000km with 5W-30.
I believe the manufacturers would want to car break down more than any one else and that's how they will engineer their vehicles so they can keep their job.
Oil change is cheap while replacing the engine is expensive.
I rather be safe than sorry.
#29
Same here.
I get my oil change every 5000~8000km with 5W-30.
I believe the manufacturers would want to car break down more than any one else and that's how they will engineer their vehicles so they can keep their job.
Oil change is cheap while replacing the engine is expensive.
I rather be safe than sorry.
I get my oil change every 5000~8000km with 5W-30.
I believe the manufacturers would want to car break down more than any one else and that's how they will engineer their vehicles so they can keep their job.
Oil change is cheap while replacing the engine is expensive.
I rather be safe than sorry.
#30
Lexus Test Driver
Same here.
I get my oil change every 5000~8000km with 5W-30.
I believe the manufacturers would want to car break down more than any one else and that's how they will engineer their vehicles so they can keep their job.
Oil change is cheap while replacing the engine is expensive.
I rather be safe than sorry.
I get my oil change every 5000~8000km with 5W-30.
I believe the manufacturers would want to car break down more than any one else and that's how they will engineer their vehicles so they can keep their job.
Oil change is cheap while replacing the engine is expensive.
I rather be safe than sorry.
I am not criticizing your maintenance regimen - that's your personal choice - but to suggest there's a deliberate specification of incorrect maintenance procedures for engineers' job security - well - that's out there.
Is 5w30 specified for ISs in Canada? Just curious as to why the difference.