Does the 430 need to use synthetic oil or is regular oil fine? My service rep said that Toyota no longer requires you to use synthetic on the LS 430

 

i have yet to use any oil other then the standard oil in 35 years of driving.never had a oil related problem other then a oil leak.always change the oil at 4-5k miles.

 

Your owner's manual tells you which oil to use. For 2002, regular 5W-30 is the specification. There was a TSIB posted by Lexus in 2006, stating a range of vehicles can now switch to regular 5W-20 safely.

As long as you use the correct oil specification, it shouldn't matter whether or not the oil is synthetic.

It is possible the switch to 5W-20 was made to improve the overall Lexus corporate average fuel economy standings (CAFE). According to the owner's manual, 5W-30 is just fine for cold weather conditions, so I'm not convinced about 5W-20's touted benefits in that TSIB.

It has been reported that 5W-20 provides less engine protection/lubrication than 5W-30 - more info in threads below.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...-question.html

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...exus-cars.html

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...hetic-oil.html

 

Depends on the environment. Most of an engine's wear occurs at startup, before the oil is flowing. The thicker the oil is (ie, from cold weather), the longer it takes for the oil pump to pump the oil into the vital engine parts. Synthetic oil doesn't thicken like mineral-based oil. Just take a bottle of 5w30, put it in the freezer, then do the same with a synthetic of the equivalent grade. See how fast they pour. Here in northern NM, it's in the 20's at night, but the engine turns over as quickly as at 60F using M1 0w40. In the summer, I don't think synthetic is as critical unless you live in AZ.

 

I have gotten the non synthetic .5w20 at my local lexus dealer about 4 times now every 5k miles. Its pretty cold in NY now. About 35F at night. I am going to get my 49.99 special again tomorrow ....lol. I wonder if I should start getting synthetic oil changes. I am looking for around 200k miles from my LS.....I hope regular oil doesnt prevent that!!

 

One way to lower the cost of Lexus oil change is to ask them to use your oil. You can buy Mobil 1 at Costco or Wal-mart, and bring it in and ask Lexus to use it.

I am going to try that for my next oil change. I think the Lexus dealer charges about $60 just for the "parts" cost of the synthetic oil, but its pretty easy to find and buy at retail for approx $25-30.

 

That's what I do - Mobil 1 synthetic can be had in that range.

 

Isn't 5W/30 the recommended viscosity for the 01 LS430? I'm located in Fl and and just bought a jug of Mobile 1 5W/30 to bring to my local repair shop.

 

Yes, 5W-30 is the original factory spec. My 2nd sentence above should have read 5W-30, not 5W-20.

More reading: "Valvoline premium oils are proven to provide superior wear protection (400% better in extreme test conditions) and longest engine life. That is FACT. 'Synthetic' is not a useful term for the 5W and 10W oils anymore. Almost all the molecules in 5W and premium 10W oils are so close to identical as to be identical twins or closer--whether made from ethylene (like Mobil 1 was) or refined from petroleum (as most 'synthetics' are today.) The ADDITIVE PACKAGE is the key difference between brands and in-the-engine performance. ALL major brands provide excellent wear protection and engine cleanliness if changed often enough and high quality fuels and filters are used... ...I personally do not use Mobil-1 because the engines in my automobile engines need a higher level of extreme pressure wear protection than it provides. "

Source: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums...0&#entry423990

 

Mobil-1 is a synthetic oil, first introduced to the automotive world in 1972. Pioneered for aviation engines, including turbines. Turbine manufacturers were able to measure the amount of metallic particles in the oil at increasing hours of operations and cleanly and clearly proved that the synthetic oil was far superior.

 

It seems while the price of dino oil has gone up the price of synthetic has gone up proportionately less. It seems to stay cleaner longer mile for mile in my LS and I feel much better going 5-6 k in between changes with Snthetic. i use Valvoline as it is a budget synthetic. Last 5 gal jug i got was 21 bucks at Wally world.

But no it is just an option for the LS and I agree many other things will end the life of the car before the engine with just plain ol 3k dino oil changes.