Hi all,

I’ve got a 2007 Lexus GS300 with 157,000 km on it. It’s getting old, but I genuinely love the car — mainly because maintenance has been very cheap and nothing really breaks. It’s been extremely reliable.

However, over the last couple of years I’ve noticed increasing oil consumption. After each oil change, I typically need to go back to the mechanic after about 4–5 months to top it up. Today they added about 2 litres, and mentioned this could be a sign of engine wear and suggested I may need to start thinking about replacing the car.

The car otherwise runs fine, no major issues, and I’m not aware of any leaks — just gradual oil loss.

• Is this level of oil consumption normal for a GS300 at this mileage?
  
• Is there a realistic fix, or is this just age and not worth repairing?
  

Appreciate any insights or similar experiences.

Thanks!

 

I support the ChatGPT response, but will add there are additives to soften valve stem seals if that is the cause of oil loss due to hardening.

Short answer: this level of oil use is fairly common for an older Lexus GS300, and not a reason alone to replace it.

🛢️ Is it normal?

• ~2L every 4–5 months = moderate consumption
• Typical aging issue (rings, seals)

🔍 Rings vs. valve seals (quick clues)

• Valve stem seals:
  • Puff of blue smoke on cold start or after idling
  • Then clears while driving
    
• Piston rings / cylinder wear:
  • Consistent consumption while driving
  • Possible smoke under acceleration
  • Higher crankcase pressure

👉 A compression or leak-down test can confirm

🔧 What to do

• Try cheap fixes:
  • PCV valve
  • High-mileage / slightly thicker oil
    
  • Major repair = not worth it

👉 Bottom line: keep driving and monitor—just top up oil unless it worsens significantly.

 

Try running Valvoline Restore & Protect for awhile see if things improve. This will free up oil control rings (within reason) they tend to get gummed up when a car is driven mainly short distances. If that doesn't help your valve stem seals are likely dried out causing oil to slip past them. This is common on older Toyota engines regardless of mileage, age gets to them.

 

Some context would be helpful. How often are you changing oil? Every 5K, 8K 16K?
Are you using a top tier synthetic or some generic cheap stuff?
Letting your oil drop 2 litres is not a good thing. Do you know how to check your oil? It's easy.
Check your manual, it shows you how. You can do it while you fill up. Or spring for full service occasionally when you fill up
and ask them to check.
Personally I usually don't usually let my oil drop more than half a liter before I top it up
unless it's the winter and I'm nearing time to change oil.
Engine oil also helps keep your engine components cool.
I'm not personally familiar with the 300, but that much consumption after 150k? Doesn't sound right to me.
My leaky 2005 highlander with 250k goes almost 5k before it needs a liter.
My 2006 GS430 (recent purchase) with 125k so far has no noticable consumption.
I have a 2007 Ford campervan with the notorious 5.4 with 160k, it does 3k per liter of oil.
When I bought this with 128K, it consumed a liter in 800km.
Changed to a top tier synthetic and it came up to 3000 kms after a couple of changes.
These days I'm using Mobil 1 extended range high mileage
but I change it with the filter every 5-8000 kms.
I've always gone for top tier oil, and have been using synthetic for decades.
Some say it's a waste, but in almost 50 years of driving mostly high mileage cars,
I've never had one engine fail in any way.
The Valvoline restore and protect mentioned here looks interesting.
Long and short is don't scrap it yet!

 

I had the same issue with my GS350 and Berryman's B12 piston soak massively improved it. Brought it down to burning 0.5-1 quart every 5K miles. DIY Dave has videos of it on YouTube, he tried every product and that's the only one that made an actual difference. Some people run the car for 10 minutes with that in it, but I wouldn't take that risk.

Running valvoline restore and protect brought it down to .25 quart every 5K miles. I change my oil every 3K but that's excessive, only reason I do is because I push the car every day. I have a magnetic drain plug and it catches carbon every time I change the oil, so it does work. I'm at 146,000 miles right now.