mrBillFL

I'd suggest going with 5k intervals.

a German forum I'm on opened up a BMW w/ the 10k intervals at 75,000 and it was very very gunked up. like grease. Baaaad!

but it depends on how long you keep your cars. if you lease, not your problem at 100k.

SW17LS

Did they use synthetic oil on that BMW? Lexus wouldn't have increased the intervals if they were worried about sludge...

gemigniani

All you have to do is google "Camry oil consumption" "Corolla oil consumption" "Lexus oil consumption" to read stories about consumption problems on the 2003-2009 models caused by clogged oil passages in the engines. The affected owners - which included some that used semi-synthetic oil - typically stretched oil change intervals beyond 5,000 miles.

The 1997-2002 V6's also had an oil gelling problem when owners stretched intervals beyond 5,000.

The 1990-1994 Lexus V8 had sludge buildup problems on some drivers side exhaust valve lifter buckets when the owners stretched intervals causing wear that ended up causing tapping noises.

Bottom line is that historically stretching change intervals to the maximum Toyota suggests (currently 10,000 miles) is risky (except for owners who are leasing or those who plan to sell/trade at the end of the powertrain warranty period.

Xpcgamer

BMW use's synthetic oil. They began using extended oil changes cause BMW began paying for oil changes. The motors where super gunked up. Pretty bad. My E39 was not too bad when I changed the Vanos Seals in the motor but it still took me an afternoon cleaning the VC and top of head.

jollick

Keep in mind the viscosity of the oil and a hybrid's engine usually runs less per mile than a gasoline only car. These factors may have something to do with the interval recommendation at least for hybrids. The owners manual does say change it more often for severe operating conditions.

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

BMW has 15K mile changes.
No way I'd go that long unless it was a lease.

SW17LS

Those are all different engines though and Toyota learned from those experiences. You think they want a repeat of the 97-02 ES oil sludge problem?

Those owners were ignoring Lexus' statement that oil change intervals should not be extended even when using synthetic oil. We're not talking about extending oil change intervals, we're talking about following the recommended oil change interval. There's no evidence that following Lexus oil change intervals has led to sludge historically.

Based on my experience with how conservative this brand is about things like that, I will be confident changing the oil in my GS every 10k miles, and would be even if it weren't a lease.

However, oil changes are pretty cheap, even with synthetic oil really. If it worries you, an extra $100 every 5k miles isn't a big deal.

mrBillFL

ahem,

Toyota and Lexus make money from selling cars. Owners love less costs of maintenance... and I've had friends compare maintenance costs when buying.

15k with full synthetic, yeah its going to get gunked up.... will it cause a bearing to fail, under 70k miles, probably not. if you lease, do you care? no. (BMW includes oil changes in sale - free to owner/ leasor .).

* and I stand corrected. BMW is 15k intervals not 10k.


if you own the car and keep if over 100k, I'd suggest changing more frequently. 10k? mby, 5k you know your good. personally I think its cheap insurance.

I'll probably have the dealer do the 1st service, then do oil changes at 5k. -haven't read entire book yet, but I can change oil and air filters....

-Does anyone know what brand of Oil Lexus/Toyota uses ? Mobil 1, amsoil, or?

also wonder if anyone uses a K&N air filter? and if that will be a warranty problem.

SW10ES makes a valid point. BMW engines are run hard, and hot. that makes a difference. heat is the problem. I don't have a oil temp, but doubt my hybrid will get hot.


also note: Frequent short trips where oil does not get hot enough to burn off the impurities is actually worse.


-IMHO....

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

Lexus/Toyota synthetic is made by Exxon/Mobil to Toyota specs and the 0w20 isn't the same formula as the Mobil 1 0w20.
A K&N drop in is a waste of money.No performance gains under 5K RPM.Just more engine noise.
Some say put the K&N sticker on the inner hood and you'll gain 5HP.

mrBillFL

Does anyone Know a source for the 'approved' oil? (cheap-er than the local dealer ?)


I know some engines are very picky on what works.... big problems for wrong oil. (and ATF).

*I normally drop the oil / filters at 1k-2k just to get any metal out from break in...

and what about the filters? anything special here?

assume a toyota hybrid (2.5ltr ) would fit?

thanks for bearing with the new guy!


-my old engine builder said his 'SAS Racing' stickers were worth 10hp! LOL -skipping the KN...

tolian21

People who claim that 10K oil change interval on fully synthetic oil is too long, obviously do not know much about synthetic oils and modern engines. Older Lexus/Toyota models had a design flaw in the engines, hence they were developing sludge, hence synthetic oil was providing a better remedy against the design flaw. Now that design problems are fixed (or so they claim), its a poor reason to say that 10K on synthetic oil is too long.
Modern engines are perfectly capable of going 10K miles on synthetic oil (normal driving -- exclude severe driving in the city) within 1 year. Its important to use high quality oil filter designed for extended drain intervals such as Mobil1 or K&N. If you want extra piece of mind, then buy Mobil 1 Extended Performance (little more expensive than Mobil1).

And if you are really paranoid, spend 20$ with blackstone labs and send them your oil sample, they will do chemical analysis and tell you if this oil is still good or should be changed.

tolian21

Most BMW owners change it at 10k. Also keep in mind that its 15K or 1 year, whatever comes first.
It also assumes normal driving, obviously if you step on it (and with 335i I would definitely step on it, otherwise whats the point of buying one ) then you need to change it more offten.
Here is the guy with 335i who had his oil analyzed at 8K miles, it looked fine and lab recommended changing it next time at 10K mark.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=652395

Bottom line, spend $20 to test your oil, this will end any confusions, each person drives in different conditions.

LexBob2

I just follow the manufacturer's recomendation, whatever it might be. They designed, built and warrantee the engine and I've never had an oil related problem with a car.

The non-direct injected 3.5 V6 is a workhorse used in something like 8 Toyota and Lexus models so there is good history on how it holds up.

mrBillFL

fyi, search the TCH forums. still no source for toyota 0w20.,.. but very informative thread...

fyi


http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/31...oil-use-3.html

mrBillFL

also in that thread talks about oil filters, and a special wrench needed.... anyone have a source for the toyota filter?


-looks like its worth getting the factory filter and oil...