08Lexus

Own a 2008 Lexus ES350 and have been taking it to Lexus/Toyota dealer for past 8 years for oil change. They always used Valvoline 5w30 reg oil. Yesterday I took car in for oil change and the bill was $30.00 more than last oil change. The dealer ship had been sold to a new owner. I thought that the new dealer had just raised prices. When I got home I looked at the bill and it states they used 0w20 oil. I assume it is synthetic as it was $6.58 a quart. Was charged for 7 quarts. Have not been able to reach the service manager that I deal with. Any one using 0w20 syn. oil? Will that weight oil hurt the car? 51,000 miles on car. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks, and have a great day.
Bob

jagtoes

I would not suggest changing to a lower viscosity oil at any mileage over 10K. Going from dino oil to syn. should not be a problem as long as you stayed at the 5W-30 range. I would start checking your oil every 1,000 miles to make sure it doesn't become a issue. Also I would go back to the dealer service manager and let them know either change it to 5W-30 or guaranty you it will not hurt the engine or cause you to use oil. 0W-30 may be OK for the new engines but I would not do it for an older engine.

hypervish

I don't think you fully understand how oil viscosities work. 5W-30 and 0W-30 have the same viscosity at full operating temperature. The only difference is at startup, nothing wrong with using it in an older engine.

Also, it's okay to use 0w-20 in the ES350, many other 2GR-FE engines spec 0W-20 from the factory. Yes, OP has an 2008; however, it has been backspec'd by Toyota for 0W-20.

Tetguy

X2. I did virtually the same (5w30 Dyno to 0w20 syn for winter, then 5w20 syn for summer) on my 2008 2 years ago at 50k miles. I didn`t notice any difference on the dipstick either. .

jkayca

Do you have to flush when you switch to synthetic?

jagtoes

My misprint . I should have said 0W-20 which is a different final viscosity then 5W-30

ESh

Put Mobil 1 0-20 and that's it.

08Lexus

Thanks for all the reply's. Going to leave the syn. 0w20 in. Seems to have quietened the engine noise at start up. I put less than 5000 miles a year on car. Googled length of time between oil changes with 5000 miles using syn. 0w20 and several places stated one year and one place stated two years. One place was Car Grus. Don't remember the others. Any one driving low miles a year and using syn. oil going a year between changes? Have a great day.
Bob

imherenow

On my ES300 it required to use 5W30 but during the winter months i use 0W30. I have used it for 3 winters and have had no problems. Main reason for easy start ups and better flow. I used Mobil 0W30.