oil change
Rookie
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 32
Likes: 18
From: MA
That nonsense about the need to change oil at 5K is based on one datapoint of unknown reliability and with incomplete information. Was synthetic used at every change? Was the car driven unusually? Was it changed at 10K miles every single time?
Toyota and Lexus have access to vast amounts of data as well as laboratory testing under repeatable conditions. Toyota and Lexus would reduce oil change recommendations in a heartbeat if they believed 10K was too long, as it would hurt their reputation to have engine damage in their cars (and their dealer network would love to change customers oil more frequently). Please do not base decisions by watching one scary video and news article of unknown sourcing and integrity.
Toyota and Lexus have access to vast amounts of data as well as laboratory testing under repeatable conditions. Toyota and Lexus would reduce oil change recommendations in a heartbeat if they believed 10K was too long, as it would hurt their reputation to have engine damage in their cars (and their dealer network would love to change customers oil more frequently). Please do not base decisions by watching one scary video and news article of unknown sourcing and integrity.
Pit Crew
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 203
Likes: 61
From: United States
LOL.
That's one way to look at it. Another way is that the 'naysayers' are investing a little extra money in oil changes now in order to preserve the life of their vehicle in the long run. My standard is to change conventional oil at 4K miles and synthetic at 5K, regardless of manufacturer recommendations. I can't prove it's related, but I've also never had to get rid of a vehicle due to mechanical problems - it's always been because I was bored with it, or my life circumstances had changed and I needed a different vehicle. I expect to be driving my old F-150 into the 2040s at least.
And yes, I do my first oil change at 1K miles, too.
That's one way to look at it. Another way is that the 'naysayers' are investing a little extra money in oil changes now in order to preserve the life of their vehicle in the long run. My standard is to change conventional oil at 4K miles and synthetic at 5K, regardless of manufacturer recommendations. I can't prove it's related, but I've also never had to get rid of a vehicle due to mechanical problems - it's always been because I was bored with it, or my life circumstances had changed and I needed a different vehicle. I expect to be driving my old F-150 into the 2040s at least.
And yes, I do my first oil change at 1K miles, too.
Agree. I don't get into much discussion (def not an argument) with most folks on how to maintain a car. I just tell them what I do- mostly 5K in summer, maybe winter driving conditions a little sooner. Always synthetic. As the "Car Care Nut" guy says, it your money, your choice- engines are expensive, oil is cheap.
Since I do most normal maintaince myself, the cost is actually quite low over the life time of my two vehicles that have gone 300K+miles. And both have 2nd owners, since I eventually upgraded. Still have my 1995 V6 Camry with 165K miles and its smooth, no oil burning V6 engines makes the NX 4cyl seem like a lawn mower in noise and roughness. 🥲. Of course, the NX 350h Lux ML/HUD in others areas of safety and MPG is not even in the same ballpark.
And yes, I did the 1k oil change with Mobil1 0w-16.
Last edited by gcskoor; Oct 27, 2022 at 04:58 PM.
Pit Crew
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 206
Likes: 92
From: NC
tips
Agree. I don't get into much discussion (def not an argument) with most folks on how to maintain a car. I just tell them what I do- mostly 5K in summer, maybe winter driving conditions a little sooner. Always synthetic. As the "Car Care Nut" guy says, it your money, your choice- engines are expensive, oil is cheap.
Since I do most normal maintaince myself, the cost is actually quite low over the life time of my two vehicles that have gone 300K+miles. And both have 2nd owners, since I eventually upgraded. Still have my 1995 V6 Camry with 165K miles and its smooth, no oil burning V6 engines makes the NX 4cyl seem like a lawn mower in noise and roughness. 🥲. Of course, the NX 350h Lux ML/HUD in others areas of safety and MPG is not even in the same ballpark.
And yes, I did the 1k oil change with Mobil1 0w-16.
Since I do most normal maintaince myself, the cost is actually quite low over the life time of my two vehicles that have gone 300K+miles. And both have 2nd owners, since I eventually upgraded. Still have my 1995 V6 Camry with 165K miles and its smooth, no oil burning V6 engines makes the NX 4cyl seem like a lawn mower in noise and roughness. 🥲. Of course, the NX 350h Lux ML/HUD in others areas of safety and MPG is not even in the same ballpark.
And yes, I did the 1k oil change with Mobil1 0w-16.
Rookie
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 49
Likes: 17
From: CA
I say do as you pleased. your car your choice.
Im changing mine 6-7k miles. Just changed out the factory oil at 4100 miles, a bit early to wash out all the metal from the engine break-in. Car drives so smooth now.
Im changing mine 6-7k miles. Just changed out the factory oil at 4100 miles, a bit early to wash out all the metal from the engine break-in. Car drives so smooth now.
Last edited by xcoreflyup; Oct 27, 2022 at 08:23 PM.
Driver
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 97
Likes: 62
From: Alberta
Pit Crew
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 203
Likes: 61
From: United States
I did this comprised for my 2017 CRV, since the bottom cover was huge and very hard to access without ramps.
I did used the vac to do the 1k oil change. Takes about 10 min- easy and clean Still hassle to dispose of il however. And I always bring my own oil regardless. I did talk to Lexus service this week and they charge $40 the labor with own oil/filter. They said a lot of folks do the same. My current shop is charging $22 for the labor. TBD who I will use or the official oil changes.
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Pole Position
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,035
Likes: 857
Interesting Video - No backup dtata ?
I am not sure I completely believe the guy in the second video about the oil dealerships use when they change your oil. If what he says is true, the I think the dealerships could potentially face costly lawsuits. There Is not substantiating data. If you change the oil every 5K miles how much longer will your engine last? Also, no mention of other possible oil change intervals, e.g. 7,500; would 7,500 extend you engine life an additional 50K miles before the $6,000 engine replacement cost?
I take all this with a big grain of salt. More frequent oil changes will help I agree, but just how much ?
YMMV,
MidCow3
The is not
I take all this with a big grain of salt. More frequent oil changes will help I agree, but just how much ?
YMMV,
MidCow3
The is not
Pit Crew
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 187
Likes: 61
From: BC
I don't know if that is true as well, but I have seen it discussed before on various forums. I also agree that regular oil changes are better than not...the recommendations are typically the minimum of what should be done...which is why YMMV.
I am not sure I completely believe the guy in the second video about the oil dealerships use when they change your oil. If what he says is true, the I think the dealerships could potentially face costly lawsuits. There Is not substantiating data. If you change the oil every 5K miles how much longer will your engine last? Also, no mention of other possible oil change intervals, e.g. 7,500; would 7,500 extend you engine life an additional 50K miles before the $6,000 engine replacement cost?
I take all this with a big grain of salt. More frequent oil changes will help I agree, but just how much ?
YMMV,
MidCow3
The is not
I take all this with a big grain of salt. More frequent oil changes will help I agree, but just how much ?
YMMV,
MidCow3
The is not
Rookie
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 49
Likes: 17
From: CA
In Toyota land, you probably wont kill the engine with the 10k oil change, what may happen is that your engine to start burning oil around 80-90-100k miles. and you have to check the oil level and top off between oil change. Eventually, you had enough and trade it in for another car
There are plenty of Prius, with 200k, 300k and 400k on the clock, still on the road right now and their owner just keep topping off the oil between oil change.
As other have said. YMMV. It is all down to your driving condition and driving style.
There are plenty of Prius, with 200k, 300k and 400k on the clock, still on the road right now and their owner just keep topping off the oil between oil change.
As other have said. YMMV. It is all down to your driving condition and driving style.
Pit Crew
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 124
Likes: 84
From: CO
Intervals aside (we could argue that forever...), anyone change the oil in their 350h yet? For my Taco and previous Subarus I use an oil vac from the dip stick and the filter is ON TOP so it is super easy to not get under the vehicle. But the 350h is under the vehicle. So that sucks. I can't seem to find any videos yet of a 350h oil change, only the 350 w/ the turbo. I assume the filter is in a similar location and the one panel needs to be removed?
Rookie
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 49
Likes: 17
From: CA
Intervals aside (we could argue that forever...), anyone change the oil in their 350h yet? For my Taco and previous Subarus I use an oil vac from the dip stick and the filter is ON TOP so it is super easy to not get under the vehicle. But the 350h is under the vehicle. So that sucks. I can't seem to find any videos yet of a 350h oil change, only the 350 w/ the turbo. I assume the filter is in a similar location and the one panel needs to be removed?
Last edited by xcoreflyup; Oct 30, 2022 at 12:53 PM.