Hey Everyone,

Stupid question, but does the 2008 RX 350 use synthetic oil or conventional grade oil? I am a former Bavarian guy so I am not sure...I am taking my new truck to Toyota for an oil change and am not sure/curious...

Thanks...

 

Your Toyota dealer will probably be using 5w20 or 0w20, ILSAC GF–4 engine oil. My dealer uses a synthetic on most newer vehicles and a partial synthetic on older models. I use a full synthetic 5w20 in my RX330.

 

Is your RX motor more peppier on the 5W20? Any unusual noises?

 

Conventional oil is standard, however, you can feel free to upgrade to synthetic if it makes you feel better. Just change every 5K and you will be fine. That is standard mileage for the Lexus as found in the Owner's Manual. Even those of us who use synthetic do not go beyond 7.5K between oil changes.

 

If you move to synthetic oil stay with it, don't go back and forth.

 

I`m a member of bobistheoilguy, and supposedly this is not a problem what so ever.

 

Thanks guys! I have an appointment at Toyota on Friday...

 

Quote from Lexus Knowledge Center (note last sentence)

• Can I use synthetic engine oil in my Lexus vehicle during its break-in period?

Synthetic oil can be used at the first scheduled oil change. Please note that the use of synthetic oil does not extend the recommended oil change intervals. Please refer to the Lexus Warranty and Services Guide for further information regarding the proper maintenance schedule for your specific vehicle. If synthetic oil is used after that time, it should be the same SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) weight specification and meet or exceed the API (American Petroleum Institute) grade specifications listed in the Owner's Manual. Even if synthetic oil is used, we do not recommend longer oil change intervals. Once synthetic oil is used, it is best not to switch back to petroleum-based oil.

 

I know,I saw that before. And some other company claims this as well. I personally dont think it hurts anything. Or I would be in trouble myself. Its their old school mentality. Synthetic oils (most anyway) say right on the bottle "compatable with other oils, Synthetic or Conventional"

 

Yeah, I think that knowledge centre needs to updated - case in point - they state they are not recommending longer OCI, but there is a TSB or letter from when they introduced their 0w20, claiming OCI could be extended to 10000 miles for certain vehicles and model years.

As for changing from synthetic to conventional, done it lots of times, know lots of people who do it, no problems. Most of the oil companies state it's not a problem either, and while Toyota may know how to make an engine, I bet the oil companies know a wee bit more about oil.

 

Thanks man! ^^^^^

 

Just got it changed today and Toyota went with 5-30...8 000 km life...half the price of my old synthetic oil changes...

PS: Thanks for the help guys...

 

What is partial synthetic oil.... For the most part half synthetic and half dino oil. So going back and forth is no problem. And even a "full synthetic" has dino oil in it. All the additives they put in are dino oil which is close to 20%.