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Apologize if this question has been asked and answered already but being new to the forum I am not good at using the search function yet.
I have just bought a 2007 450 with 104,500 miles.
I understand that this model calls for 0-20 full synthetic to be changed every 5000 miles, correct? And so this change is coming up quickly.
My confusion comes from my lack of understanding why full synthetic is not good for 10,000 miles between oil changes because I note that using 5-20 is good for 10K
So, the difference between a 0 and a 5 on a multigrade oil is for cold start up, with the"0" being what thinner so it flows better cold startup versus a 5?
The warmed up viscosity of 20 is the same, I just do not understand the huge difference between 5000 and 10,000 mile oil changes coming to a "5" at cold start up viscosity versus a "0"?
Do any of you have any problem with going 10K and using either 0=20 or 5=20? Appreciate your thoughts on this
Lexus said if your car requires 0w-20 then you can do 10K miles but if your car has primary as 5w-20 and 0w-20 as optional then you still need to stick with 5K miles interval.
I am with you and it does not make sense.
Here is the chart as per Lexus Tech Tip L-TT-0001-10
This was released for 2010-2012 vehicles but if the engine hasn't changed, and I don't believe it has, then it should apply to all LS460.
2010 – 2012 Model Year Vehicles
CONDITION
Starting with the 2010 Model Year, Lexus began a gradual transition to the use of synthetic 0w-20 viscosity engine oil. There are multiple benefits of this oil, including:
Reduced friction and wear on engine surfaces
Improved fuel economy
Reduction in waste oil stream (in vehicles approved for 10,000 mile oil change intervals)
Reduced maintenance cost (in vehicles approved for 10,000 mile oil change intervals)
Due to the improved performance and durability of 0w-20 synthetic oil, Lexus has extended the oil change intervals to 10,000 miles for vehicles that require this oil. With this change, the following should be noted:
Only Lexus vehicles in which 0w-20 oil is mandatory have been approved for extended oil change intervals.
Vehicles in which 0w-20 is an option to 5w-20 (or 5w-30) will continue to require 5,000 mile change intervals, even if 0w-20 oil is used.
In the case of vehicles with 10,000 mile oil change intervals, the 5,000 mile service interval has not been eliminated. The traditional 5,000 mile maintenance procedures (such as tire rotation) will continue to be required, and the fluid levels (including engine oil) will need to be checked and adjusted at this time.
If the vehicle operation meets the standard criteria for “Special Operating Conditions” such as: driving off-road, on dirt roads, towing a trailer, making repeated short trips under 32 ̊ F, or extensive idling; the engine oil must be replaced at 5,000 mile intervals, regardless of oil specified.
Please follow the chart on page 2 to determine the proper oil viscosity, fill quantity, and proper change interval for 2010-2012 Model Year Lexus vehicles under non-severe usage.
Russ, what you say makes complete sense to me, do you have idea why Lexus does not agree and says if 5-20 is a option to the 0-20 recommended then change at 5000K
Well personally I wouldn't do 10,000 mile oil changes in these cars. Yes Lexus now "recommends" it, but keep in mind that all manufacturers have to adhere to CAFE regulations and are required to meet those standards (and keep in mind 2007's are not recommended to be extended to 10,000 mile intervals). Fuel economy, longer oil change intervals, less waste are all on the agenda...not the longevity of your engine. That they don't care about. They know most buyers aren't keeping these cars much past 100,000 miles before they trade them in and sign up for a new one. Then that car goes off to the auction and someone buys it and by the time it reaches 150,000 miles it's burning through 3 quarts of oil between changes because the rings and valve guides are shot. Lexus won't care, neaither will Toyota, or Ford, or Chevy, or any of them.
Today's engines are tough on oil. Most have timing chains slicing through that oil, shearing it. They're all direct injected and those injectors blast carbon past those rings and it goes right into that oil. Piston rings are low tension to save fuel. Variable valve timing and complicated valve trains require the oil to do things it never had to do in the past. Turbos, higher reving engines...on and on. The oil gets dirty, it needs to be changed. Sending a sample out to Blackstone doesn't tell the whole story, it just tells you how much additive it has left, how acidic it is, how much silicates and viscosity it has maintained. It doesn't tell you how much carbon is floating around in there, slowly wearing your valve guides and rings. I've had techs tell me I was crazy to let my oil go to 6,000 mikes before I changed it (and that was using a high quality synthetic). I've had Lexus shop formans tell me they personally wouldn't let it go past 5,000 miles. And I know many techs that still change their oil very 3,000 miles WITH SYNTHETIC. Crazy as that sounds.
It's a great debate, don't know who's wrong or who's right, but I don't think it's all that expensive to change your oil at 5,000 miles and call it a day. Especially if you're planning on keeping the car long term.
Last edited by Doublebase; Apr 29, 2018 at 05:34 PM.
Well my 07 is at 190000 miles. I am waiting for rings to go so i can replace the engine with a 2013 engine that i got from a deal straight out of japan . Its waiting to be unleashed in the storage. In regards to what oil i use , i use mobil 1 5w30 and adding 2.1 qt every 2000 miles then changing the oil at 6000 miles. due to the hot weather.
my 2012 LS460L has 40,000 miles on it. I bought it as a CPO in 2013 with 14,000 miles. I mainly drive it on weekends and long trips. Waiting for 5,000 miles can take a while - is there a recommended time interval?
my 2012 LS460L has 40,000 miles on it. I bought it as a CPO in 2013 with 14,000 miles. I mainly drive it on weekends and long trips. Waiting for 5,000 miles can take a while - is there a recommended time interval?
Thanks!
Dan
Old school is 3 months. But i am the same as you so i do a 6 month change regardless of miles. I do my own and recycle the oil.
I do not see how synthetic oil can go "bad" in a year's time, or even longer, so my guess is you are just fine changing it annually if you have not put 5000 miles on it by then.
Perhaps someone who is an expert on oil will educate me as to why it needs to be changed earlier than annually.
Oil Change Questions?
