I'm drowning in online opinions and various website recommendations...

I have an 02 rx300...can a knowledgable lexus owner (who has this car) tell me what engine oil I should be using? My local corner guy last time used what i think was straight 10w-30, which is printed on my oil cap under the hood.

Seems that isn't what most are using now? Can I switch to synthetic? Need oil changed today. I live in TX and car has 103K on it.


Help! Thanks!!

 

You can always switch to syn oil and 10w-30 should be good.

 

I'm surprised that your cap indicates 10W-30...mine, I believe, says 5W-30. The only difference is that 5W is easier to start/better flow properties when cold, which I doubt applies to you in TX. Either would work. I would use 5W b/c that offers all the protection of 10W-30 w/ better flow at cold temps. (of course, some will argue viscosity modifiers will degrade an oil over time, whatever, at 100 CST operating temp. = virtually identical). I switched to syn. in wife's car at 95K and no problems. I don't like how hot the engine compartment seems and w/ the sludging issues, I sleep better at night w/ "extra" protection (although PYB is pretty good, as others, for dino oil). I use Valvoline Synpower, but will be trying Ultra.

I'll be curious what LexMex says, I just found LubroMoly Engine Flush and will use it soon...on his recommendation in the DIY forum.

 

My label and owners manual recommend 5W-30 for my '99. I got it with 110+K miles, I use Mobil 1 5W-30 exclusively, and it doesn't use a drop between changes. If I saw significant oil usage, I would probably switch back to non-synthetic.

 

Funny I have a '99 RX300 with 104k. Switch to synthetic Mobil 1 0w30. Car started to burn oil after my second oil change with this. I switch to conventional oil for Auto-RX. Worked well still burned some oil after with conventional. Then I switch back to the 0w30, the oil burning has stopped weird but true.

 

If you ask LEXMEX on here, he is using 0w-20. But I would honestly recommend nothing higher than 5w with these motors. I am currently using 5w-20 valvoline synthetic w/ a K&N Filter. That is what i recommend and i would stick with it. There is no way the cap could say 10w-30 unless maybe it has been replaced. But I thought they were all 5w-30. But check your manual if you want to go by the books on this one.

 

Actually still testing Pennzoil Ultra 5W30 right now, but was using Castrol Syntec 0W30 before.

5W30 is the OEM.