Changing to synthetic oil after a mistake?
07-09-10, 11:56 AM
#1
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: CA
Posts: 390
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Changing to synthetic oil after a mistake?
So I lent my IS F out this past week and the onboard computer said that it needed the 25000 mile service. So the borrower thought she would do me a favor and do the required oil change without consulting me. Turns out the dealership used conventional oil, whereas I've been using Mobile 1 since 1,000 miles. What would you do in this situation? Should I do another oil change to Mobile 1 once I get the car back or should I wait till the next scheduled service to change back?
07-09-10, 01:24 PM
#4
No biggie...ISF doesn't require synthetic in the first place.
So I lent my IS F out this past week and the onboard computer said that it needed the 25000 mile service. So the borrower thought she would do me a favor and do the required oil change without consulting me. Turns out the dealership used conventional oil, whereas I've been using Mobile 1 since 1,000 miles. What would you do in this situation? Should I do another oil change to Mobile 1 once I get the car back or should I wait till the next scheduled service to change back?
07-09-10, 01:25 PM
#5
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (10)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Under an IS F since 2008
Posts: 13,446
Received 1,058 Likes
on
586 Posts
If it really bugs you... drain & refill with the Mobil One..
I wouldn't bother changing the oil filter..
I've been using conventional oil since day 1... Thats what the engineers recommend
Joe Z
I wouldn't bother changing the oil filter..
I've been using conventional oil since day 1... Thats what the engineers recommend
Joe Z
07-09-10, 01:42 PM
#6
Tech Info Resource
iTrader: (2)
I'd change it at the recommended 5k interval. No need to dump a perfectly good load of oil.
Trending Topics
07-09-10, 05:45 PM
#8
Agreed, leave it and say "Thank You" for your thoughtfulness... I can't tell you how many times I have loaned my cars to people, an these "asshats" bring my car back on empty, NEVER to be loaned a vehicle by me again! I mean really who does NOT know that you have to bring back a rental on full? Or better yet some REALLY nice dude is willing to loan me his 60k car... should I bring it back full of gas?!
07-09-10, 11:24 PM
#13
theres no need to change it. though its not what you'd prefer, it's what is recommended by lexus. just wait 5k or so to change it back to the synthetic you wish to use. if its bothering you that much, just drain and then refill with your mobil 1. its probably best to change the oil filter too.
07-10-10, 10:28 AM
#15
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: CA
Posts: 390
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I did some more research and found the answer to my question. Turns out, when I first heard about the dangers of switching between oils, you could run the risk of screwing up the engine seals, causing oil leaks and increasing oil consumption. However, it's apparently no longer the case, though many service advisors still tell people it's a bad idea. Here's an excerpt:
There was a time, years ago, when switching between synthetic oils and mineral oils was not recommended if you had used one product or the other for a long period of time. People experienced problems with seals leaking and high oil consumption but changes in additive chemistry and seal material have taken care of those issues. And that's an important caveat. New seal technology is great, but if you're still driving around in a car from the 80's with its original seals, then this argument becomes a bit of a moot point - your seals are still going to be subject to the old leakage problems no matter what newfangled additives the oil companies are putting in their products.
Read more: http://www.carbibles.com/engineoil_b...#ixzz0tIjWXwa9
So, I'll keep the oil that's in there now and switch back on the next service. I do lend out my cars for several weeks at a time, so I'll have to remember to ask borrowers to consult me in the future before performing any work on the cars. Thanks guys.
There was a time, years ago, when switching between synthetic oils and mineral oils was not recommended if you had used one product or the other for a long period of time. People experienced problems with seals leaking and high oil consumption but changes in additive chemistry and seal material have taken care of those issues. And that's an important caveat. New seal technology is great, but if you're still driving around in a car from the 80's with its original seals, then this argument becomes a bit of a moot point - your seals are still going to be subject to the old leakage problems no matter what newfangled additives the oil companies are putting in their products.
Read more: http://www.carbibles.com/engineoil_b...#ixzz0tIjWXwa9
So, I'll keep the oil that's in there now and switch back on the next service. I do lend out my cars for several weeks at a time, so I'll have to remember to ask borrowers to consult me in the future before performing any work on the cars. Thanks guys.