The new RX recommends 0W-20 oil. At the first oil change I'm considering switching to Mobil 1 synthetic, as I used it for years on my '03 RX300. Anyone considering doing the same?

 

Some folks here ever discussed this... maybe you can find some interesting topics there.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...hetic-oil.html

 

I don't know what your dealer uses. Mine uses a synthetic blend and 5k intervals. On my RX300, it always looked at 5000 like it did going in. You could pull the stick and rub it between your fingers and the viscosity was great even after miles on it.

 

Doesnt the 0W20 oil synthetic already? Mobil 1 use to be good oil until they change their formula for the US market. Then again, Lexus is recommanding a 5000 mikles synthetic oil change interval which to me is crazy. I guess Lexus is covering their own ares from their pass oil sludge problem.

 

May I know why you think it's crazy? To your opinion, you meant 5K interval is too long or too short or something else?

Thanks

 

5000 is too often, BMW's synthetic oil change interval is 15000 miles and Audi is 10000 miles.

 

That is too long,oils start to break down pretty much after 7,000.according to uoa`s any way.

 

You're absolutely right, 10-15000 is too long. Even if the oil is technically good enough, all the carbon and metal shavings not trapped in the filter are going round and round and round etc.

How many miles do you want your engine to last? If driven and maintained properly, shouldn't be hard to get north of 300,000.


It's a Lexus after all. Toyota put their highest quality parts into it.

 

Its a common misconception in the US, the Europeans have been doing 10000 to 15000 mile oil changes for years with no problem, of course they use a higher grade oil than most of us do in the US, but a 5000 mile synthetic oil change is way over kill.

 

To me, I prefer to keep oil changed frequnetly, but now it is mystery. What's wrong with these car makers?

Porsche suggested the oil change for Cayman around 12K - 15K, for V6 Cayenne around 10K, and for V8 Cayenne around 20K. All by Mobile one synthetic.

What to do!? Just follow the damn owner manual.

 

If the Porsche engineers recommand 10K oil change, then just foloow their recommandation, after all, they are some of the best car engineers in the world. I would adjust that recommanded oil change interval according to your driving style. City or dusty driving, maybe change it at 8000 miles, all highway driving, 10000 miles. Of course, the Mobil 1 Porsche use is probably the European spec oil, which is much better than the US version.

 

I'm not sure about their 8 cyl models but their 'boxer' 6 cyl has a dry sump engine. The oil 'tank' holds several quarts of oil and they probably consider it sufficient for that many miles.

 

The European cars have more oil capacity and bigger oil filters, that and the Euro spec sythetic is why they only need 10000 mile oil changes. Some Japanese cars are now starting to design engines with larger oil capacity as well, but their filter remains under size and the Japanese are still using cheap synthetic. That might explain why Lexus choose to stay with the 5000 mile oil change interval even for synthetic, that and their pass historry of oil sludge problems.