oil and fuel grade
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: pa
oil and fuel grade
ok, so this is my first lexus - gs300 awd. first car close to luxury. have had hondas and toyota and vw.
so my first question is, what oil grade should i be using? is 5w-30 sufficient? is it good enough? is there a particular brand or line i should use? i have an independent mechanic who owns a gs350. i plan on taking the oil and have him do the labor.
how about fuel? does it have to be 93 octane? will 91 be good enough?
so my first question is, what oil grade should i be using? is 5w-30 sufficient? is it good enough? is there a particular brand or line i should use? i have an independent mechanic who owns a gs350. i plan on taking the oil and have him do the labor.
how about fuel? does it have to be 93 octane? will 91 be good enough?
Driver
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: CA
Just read the owner's manual. It'll tell you what grade of fuel and oil to use. As for me, I only use premium fuel and synthetic oil (courtsey of the dealership. Since your mechanic owns a gs350, he should steer you in the right direction as well.
yeah, what iron lungs said.
personally, I use Mobil 1 Synthetic (not the extended performance, just standard synthetic) 5w-30. As for gas, I use 93 octance because there ain't no 91 octane in this here neck of the woods.
steviej
personally, I use Mobil 1 Synthetic (not the extended performance, just standard synthetic) 5w-30. As for gas, I use 93 octance because there ain't no 91 octane in this here neck of the woods.
steviej
Guest
Posts: n/a
Welcome and nice upgrade. Its a Lexus, run Premium fuel so the engine gets the best fuel and runs with the most HP and efficiency. You might think you are saving a few buck buying regular as the car will run but you will get less HP and less fuel economy.
This is a PREMIUM vehicle, so buy PREMIUM fuel, as recommended by the manual.
As for oil, here is a great thread on the best kinds
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/car...?highlight=oil
I have used conventional Castrol in all my Lexus and I've never had any issues (i've changed my own oil since 1997). I am using Royal Purple Synthetic in my 450h now and its been great. I've used Mobil1 in other cars.....
Since you are in VA and not in extreme temperatures, 5W-30 is fine but oils of near weights will be fine too.
This is a PREMIUM vehicle, so buy PREMIUM fuel, as recommended by the manual.
As for oil, here is a great thread on the best kinds
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/car...?highlight=oil
I have used conventional Castrol in all my Lexus and I've never had any issues (i've changed my own oil since 1997). I am using Royal Purple Synthetic in my 450h now and its been great. I've used Mobil1 in other cars.....
Since you are in VA and not in extreme temperatures, 5W-30 is fine but oils of near weights will be fine too.
executive matchup
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,771
Likes: 13
From: BC
mike, quick question for you: if you follow lexus oil change maintenance schedule, do you really need to go with better oil? if i change my oil at the dealership every 6,000 KM or 6 months (whichever comes first), it should be fine? 
Guest
Posts: n/a
Some people insist on German made Castrol for instance, some insist on Amsoil. I've used Castrol in my other Lexus and never had any engine heating/wear/sludge etc issues. Since 6km is what 3600 miles for us here, that is actually overdoing it to me. I would say 5,000 miles on the regular, thats what I do. So thats what 8KM? If you want to stick the regular maintenance level that is great, but dont' worry if you go over.
I have to change my oil soon
executive matchup
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,771
Likes: 13
From: BC
Honesty no. I do it for extra piece of mind and I just like some good drink for my baby. Thats what oil is, the food that makes the engine go. Once you change it on the regular and don't drive like a bat out of hell every time or live in extreme cold/heat, the car will be fine. This particular engine seems to really be state of the art once you change the oil.
Some people insist on German made Castrol for instance, some insist on Amsoil. I've used Castrol in my other Lexus and never had any engine heating/wear/sludge etc issues. Since 6km is what 3600 miles for us here, that is actually overdoing it to me. I would say 5,000 miles on the regular, thats what I do. So thats what 8KM? If you want to stick the regular maintenance level that is great, but dont' worry if you go over.
I have to change my oil soon
Some people insist on German made Castrol for instance, some insist on Amsoil. I've used Castrol in my other Lexus and never had any engine heating/wear/sludge etc issues. Since 6km is what 3600 miles for us here, that is actually overdoing it to me. I would say 5,000 miles on the regular, thats what I do. So thats what 8KM? If you want to stick the regular maintenance level that is great, but dont' worry if you go over.
I have to change my oil soon
Trending Topics
Driver
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Central Europe
Since you live in BC, I suggest to go for 0W or 5W for the better cold starting properties. Frequency of oil change is probably the most important, as said.
For my 2G Lexus I used to have the oil changed at every 5000 miles for the first 20000 miles, after that only at regular services at every 10000 miles (as recommended by Lexus Europe). The dealers would have used Castrol or Shell Helix. I have however normally brought them with me (all fully synthetics): Esso Ultron 5W40 and now more recently Mobil1 0W40. At 85k miles in the clock never needed to add a drop of oil between the regular oil changes.
For my 2G Lexus I used to have the oil changed at every 5000 miles for the first 20000 miles, after that only at regular services at every 10000 miles (as recommended by Lexus Europe). The dealers would have used Castrol or Shell Helix. I have however normally brought them with me (all fully synthetics): Esso Ultron 5W40 and now more recently Mobil1 0W40. At 85k miles in the clock never needed to add a drop of oil between the regular oil changes.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles
Michael S. Palmer
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 356
Likes: 5
From: Alberta
ok, so this is my first lexus - gs300 awd. first car close to luxury. have had hondas and toyota and vw.
so my first question is, what oil grade should i be using? is 5w-30 sufficient? is it good enough? is there a particular brand or line i should use? i have an independent mechanic who owns a gs350. i plan on taking the oil and have him do the labor.
how about fuel? does it have to be 93 octane? will 91 be good enough?
so my first question is, what oil grade should i be using? is 5w-30 sufficient? is it good enough? is there a particular brand or line i should use? i have an independent mechanic who owns a gs350. i plan on taking the oil and have him do the labor.
how about fuel? does it have to be 93 octane? will 91 be good enough?
I run 94 octane but if a $250000 bently can run on 87 then im sure we dont need to run on top gas, But i like to cause it makes me feel like a boss
octane recomendations are not related to the price of the vehicle but rather to the compression ratio of the engine used in said vehicle.
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: pa
well i went in for my second oil change. the first time the dude just used conventional 5w-30 and whatever filter and charged me $23. this time i eyed the mobil 1 5w-30 synth and they said ok and whatever filter and charged me $65!! so, since i paid triple can i put more than 5k miles on it before the next change? what changes should i notice?
well i went in for my second oil change. the first time the dude just used conventional 5w-30 and whatever filter and charged me $23. this time i eyed the mobil 1 5w-30 synth and they said ok and whatever filter and charged me $65!! so, since i paid triple can i put more than 5k miles on it before the next change? what changes should i notice?
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,809
Likes: 143
From: MA
well i went in for my second oil change. the first time the dude just used conventional 5w-30 and whatever filter and charged me $23. this time i eyed the mobil 1 5w-30 synth and they said ok and whatever filter and charged me $65!! so, since i paid triple can i put more than 5k miles on it before the next change? what changes should i notice?