I noticed that the recommended oil change interval for the US is every 10000 miles (16000km) w/ 0W20. In Canada it is recommended every 8000km (5000 miles) 0W20. Why the discrepancy under normal driving conditions??? Climate... even though Northern States have similar climates as Canada and Southern states deal with extreme heat!

 

is the 0W-20 in lexus dealers there synthetic?

 

I believe the 0W-20 is fully synthetic up here. maybe somebody can correct me if I'm wrong?!

isn't 0w-20 rare in conventional oils? I've only seen it as fully synthetic.

 

Yes, it's 0w20 synthetic here in the US.

 

Lexus Canada clearly thinks it is a weather related issue,as very few places in the continental US have the extreme weather changes that we have here.

 

Some threads on this already:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...intervals.html

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...als-is350.html

 

Not sure if it is related. I was told by my dealership in Canada that the 0W20 they use is semi-synthetic. The formula is inspired by Mobil 1.

 

Toyota 0w-20 is synthetic, some say manufactured by Mobil. However, the Toyota oil is thinner and not the same as Mobil 1 0w-20. Mobil will always used their best stuff for their Mobil 1 line.

 

If it is fully synthetic, it is not as bad. Still it is not the actual Mobil 1. That's why I was told the Toyota 0w20 is inspired by Mobil 1. In any case, I prefer to bring my engine oil.

 

I still don't understand why would anyone want to put 0W20, one of the possible thinnest oil, on a high compression engine.
Is it really because Toyota engineers know better:

 

I've asked the dealer and they don't know, but they pull the weather thing out. There are a lot or northern states/big cities that have winter that is as bad (or worse) as much of Canada's.

If the oil is the same and synthetic, you should be able to go beyond 5k miles per change.

 

0W-20 is like a one size fits all oil for use in extreme cold markets. For places like Houston, I just go use 5W-30

 

Canadian dealership.

 

In Saudi Arabia it is recommended every 10,000km 5W30 !!

 

Lexus Canada probably just caved in to dealer demands that they maintain the 8000km oil change interval to increase service bay traffic.

Here is a good read on oil, it's properties and what the viscosity numbers mean and why they are a guideline to be followed, but also to "guide" in real life usage:
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/motor-oil-101/

There are situation where adjustments can be made to account for different operating situations, but those should be done with full knowledge of what the specific oil's capabilities are. This explains why the recommended viscosity for Saudi Arabia would and should be different than North East US or Canada, but should probably be the same for Southern US states.