jcjr

I have a 2001 RX 300 with 71K miles.....bought it used about 10K ago....I have done 2 oil changes with regular oil....

Thinking about switching to synthetic......In my review of the service history of the vehicle it had synthetic in it for a period of time...

I am concerned about developing leaks with a change to synthetic....

Thoughts please....

Chance of leak??? If leak develops.....easy to fix with higher viscosity oils???

Thoughts on a switch at such high miles???

What do you think Lexmex???

Thanks in advance......

Lexmex

What kind of conventional have you been running, type and grade?

You shouldn't have a problem. Sometimes with vehicles down here, I see some initial leaks, but it is not very common.

jcjr

Thanks for the quick reply Lex!

I have used Castrol 5w-30 for the 2 changes....

What do you think of the miles???

The small leaks that your have friends have had...have they been easy to take care of????

Thanks again....

Lexmex

The miles are fine. If you were over 100K, I might consider a 0W40 or 5W40, just to start out on the switch.

The leaks that have occurred generally did so because the people had no idea what grade they should be using, kind of like motor oil is motor oil. My uncle was fixing a seal leak just last week on a Nissan Tsuru (looks like an old Sentra) and there he went up a grade to fix it along with replacing the seal. Most people run a grade like a 40 or 50 here on conventional and then when they switch to a 5W30, usually Mobil 1 since it is widely sold here. That is where I usually hear of a leak occurring if at all.

The German Castrol 0W30 is a heavier 30 and that is my favored brand, though the Redline 10W40 I am testing is not bad either, but I am still testing it out.

jcjr

Thanks for the info....

I will probably go with Mobil 1 5W-30......

I have about 3000 miles to go before the next change ....so I have some time to think about it...
Thanks again,

Rollin'ES3

Thats what Im gonna put in my rx330 on the next change.

Good Choice

jcjr

Hey 00es300,


What do you have in your 330 right now??? How many miles??

HarrierAWD

Do a search in this forum. Someone's RX300 did spun a serious leak right after switching to synthetic. I think that thread was 3-4 months ago.

For a balanced view, Mobil One's website claims that switching will not develop a leak. There may be success stories in this forum as well.

I personally advise against using synthetic unless your vehicle specifically calls for it. It's merely marketing ploy to scare you into thinking dino oil is inadequate. (Sync oil has higher profit margin.) I've used various brands of dino 5w30 with no issue in Colorado mountains - over 110K miles and it hasn't burned a drop of oil. Buy whatever is on sale. Skip the "high mileage" or "SUV" oil.

Rollin'ES3

Well I just recently purchased my car from a non-lexus dealership, so to be honest with you I have no idea . . Its got 45k on the clock..

Fluid looks fresh, so I'm just gonna run it for 2k before I change it out with Mobil 1 5w-30.

gcrim21

I would have no hesitation about using MOBIL 1 synthetic motor oil after using 'regular' or DINO oil. However, I would have reservations with another brand synthetic though.
I have used MOBIL 1 in the last twenty one vehicles I have owned with no problems whatsoever. I change oil and filter at 15,000 mile intervals. I use only MOBIL 1 oil filters as well.

I was told by a MOBIL 1 engineer prior to first using MOBIL 1; that after using synthetic oil in an engine, never to switch back to regular/dino oil afterwards, that it 'could' cause leakage. I don't remember why.

A former boss of mine purchased a new Mazda several years ago that had an aluminum block engine and the manual said never to use synthetic engine oil and he wanted to use MOBIL 1. He had me ask the MOBIL 1 engineer about it. The engineer said he was familiar with Mazda's warning. He, the engineer, told me that was true with any other synthetic but not MOBIL 1. The engineer sent my boss a letter guaranteeing that MOBIL would stand behind MOBIL 1 synthetic oil. My boss went ahead and used MOBIL 1 in the Mazda with no problems.

I am in no way connected to, work for, no relatives employed by, MOBIL which is now EXXON/MOBIL. Through the years MOBIL has been the leader in lubricants.

gcrim21

Harrier4WD:

Your quote: ......"I personally advise against using synthetic unless your vehicle specifically calls for it. It's merely marketing ploy to scare you into thinking dino oil is inadequate."

MOBIL 1 will withstand higher temperatures and will also produce higher mileage. I don't believe it's just a marketing ploy. I would advise aginst paying a higher price for the higher performace brand of MOBIL 1 or any other such synthetic. I advise if choosing MOBIL 1 to buy the 'regular' MOBIL 1. The 'guaranteed 15,000 mile label is usually $6.00 higher for a five quart container. That's a ripoff to pay that much more.

Now there's AMSOIL. But it's higher priced than MOBIL 1, and I do not believe it is a better synthetic.

Lexmex

It depends also on how you drive. I personally have issues with the 5w30 mobil, but then again I don't drive it quite normally. In addition, I am in a unique climate. Right now I am trying out 10W40 Redline, but I have favored a Castrol 0W30 in the past. If mobil 1 works for you, then by all means.

powerslide

I have the Lexus RX 300, 2001 model. I use regular caster oil 5w 30. I have
70k on it. Never burns a drop. I replace it between 3500 and 4000 miles. I also have the same basic V-6 engine in my 1996 Avalon with 171,000 miles and never has burned ONE DROP of oil! Regular maint. All org. mech. and never added freon. I will stick with good ole basic oil. By the time the engine starts to burn oil the body of the car will be toast and i will be ready for a new one anyway.

TunedRX300

All depends on what the owner wants, if one cares about better mpg, reducing oil usage and pollution, has better things to do than oil changes, and protects their engine from extreme temperatures, go for the pure synthetic oil. This is not just a claim, Used Oil Analysis from independent lab proves less engine wear with spectro-chemical reports.

If one cares none other than go from point A to point B, then buy the cheapest dino oil that has minimal additive package.

It is like some people watch free TV and get by twisting the good old rabbit ear antenna for a quality channel, some pay for HDTV via fiber to the home. They all watch TV but quality of service and expectations are different.