5w-20 or 0w-20?
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,158
Likes: 1
From: ny
Just have a friend to check this insides my dealer.
They don't usually carry this 0w-20 until this RX10 arrives. Although '09LS and '09LX are also ok with this viscosity oil, they can also use 5w-20, the common one, in most of weather conditions.
They inked 5w-20 on my receipt for the billing purpose, but they did pour 0w-20 into my car.........
They don't usually carry this 0w-20 until this RX10 arrives. Although '09LS and '09LX are also ok with this viscosity oil, they can also use 5w-20, the common one, in most of weather conditions.
They inked 5w-20 on my receipt for the billing purpose, but they did pour 0w-20 into my car.........
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Difference between 0W-20 and 5W-20
Just have a friend to check this insides my dealer.
They don't usually carry this 0w-20 until this RX10 arrives. Although '09LS and '09LX are also ok with this viscosity oil, they can also use 5w-20, the common one, in most of weather conditions.
They inked 5w-20 on my receipt for the billing purpose, but they did pour 0w-20 into my car.........
They don't usually carry this 0w-20 until this RX10 arrives. Although '09LS and '09LX are also ok with this viscosity oil, they can also use 5w-20, the common one, in most of weather conditions.
They inked 5w-20 on my receipt for the billing purpose, but they did pour 0w-20 into my car.........
Pit Crew
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 216
Likes: 4
From: San Francisco, CA
Well, since this is back, I'm going to poke the oil viscosity bear.
I've somewhat recently ended my prepaid maintenance contract so now I've been doing my own fluid changes. Never really paid attention to what the dealer has been pouring into the engine but I do know that the MPG reading shows ~14-16 when they were doing the changes. When I did my own drain and fill with M1 0W-20, I've been noticing that the MPG shows ~12-13 now. I don't think my driving habits changed. Could the dealer have been using some other oil that would lead to better mileage? San Francisco, not too cold, not too hot.
I've somewhat recently ended my prepaid maintenance contract so now I've been doing my own fluid changes. Never really paid attention to what the dealer has been pouring into the engine but I do know that the MPG reading shows ~14-16 when they were doing the changes. When I did my own drain and fill with M1 0W-20, I've been noticing that the MPG shows ~12-13 now. I don't think my driving habits changed. Could the dealer have been using some other oil that would lead to better mileage? San Francisco, not too cold, not too hot.
CL Community Team
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,230
Likes: 1,746
From: VA
I do not think there is oil much thinner than 0w20. It could be related to brand differences in viscosity. According to the folks at bobistheoilguy.com the Toyota 0w20 which is made by ExxonMobil, is more viscous than Mobil 1 0w20 oil. It also has a more robust additive package. Those are some of the reasons they claim it is a better oil.
What did you put into your engine? Do you know if your dealer was using Toyota oil? Some do not.
What did you put into your engine? Do you know if your dealer was using Toyota oil? Some do not.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,507
Likes: 38
From: Bethlehem Twsp. Pennsylvania
this is why i change my own oil, by the way, the service manager at my dealer told me it is perfectly fine to use 5W20 synthetic motor oil. besides. it is still a 20 weight oil anyway.
Pit Crew
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 216
Likes: 4
From: San Francisco, CA
I do not think there is oil much thinner than 0w20. It could be related to brand differences in viscosity. According to the folks at bobistheoilguy.com the Toyota 0w20 which is made by ExxonMobil, is more viscous than Mobil 1 0w20 oil. It also has a more robust additive package. Those are some of the reasons they claim it is a better oil.
What did you put into your engine? Do you know if your dealer was using Toyota oil? Some do not.
What did you put into your engine? Do you know if your dealer was using Toyota oil? Some do not.
CL Community Team
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,230
Likes: 1,746
From: VA
Mileage does typically get worse in the winter months. It also affects (lowers) your tire air pressure which many folks forget to top up. This lower tire air pressure also makes mileage worse. However, I see your sig indicates you live in the SF area where it is pretty moderate all year.....
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,567
Likes: 87
From: NJ
Mileage does typically get worse in the winter months. It also affects (lowers) your tire air pressure which many folks forget to top up. This lower tire air pressure also makes mileage worse. However, I see your sig indicates you live in the SF area where it is pretty moderate all year.....
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,088
Likes: 374
From: Atlanta, Georgia
0w-20 is the oil to use and I use Mobil 1 Fuel Economy oil.
http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lub...il1_0W-20.aspx
I do not know if it is really a better oil than the Toyota Brand 0w-20 oil, however I change my oil every 5k miles which is half the time Lexus recommend changing the oil so Mobil 1 should not be an issue.
I usually average about 20-21 mpg when using the Mobil 1 oil, sometimes as low as 18-19mpg in really bad stop-and-go traffic.
I have the AWD model so I guess that the FWD models would get better mpg while using the Mobil 1 fuel economy oil.
FYI, I have a heavy foot.
My wife gets even better mpg(about 2mpg more) when she drives the cars.
http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lub...il1_0W-20.aspx
I do not know if it is really a better oil than the Toyota Brand 0w-20 oil, however I change my oil every 5k miles which is half the time Lexus recommend changing the oil so Mobil 1 should not be an issue.
I usually average about 20-21 mpg when using the Mobil 1 oil, sometimes as low as 18-19mpg in really bad stop-and-go traffic.
I have the AWD model so I guess that the FWD models would get better mpg while using the Mobil 1 fuel economy oil.
FYI, I have a heavy foot.
My wife gets even better mpg(about 2mpg more) when she drives the cars.
Last edited by carguy75; Feb 6, 2016 at 04:05 AM.
Pit Crew
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 216
Likes: 4
From: San Francisco, CA
I don't think my tire air pressure is low but I'll check it out. Maybe it is somehow the whole winter thing. An potential air leak somewhere in the intake wouldn't affect it much would it? Maybe if it was after the air flow sensor? Not too knowledgeable about that stuff. Ran an oil analysis at 60k and they said there might be dirt contamination and should check air filter/intake.
Carguy, 20-21 sounds high to me for a 350. I'm assuming that's mostly freeway driving for you? I can get ~22 if I do all freeway after a fill but it drops pretty quickly once back on streets.
Sorry. Kind of getting off topic.
Carguy, 20-21 sounds high to me for a 350. I'm assuming that's mostly freeway driving for you? I can get ~22 if I do all freeway after a fill but it drops pretty quickly once back on streets.
Sorry. Kind of getting off topic.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,088
Likes: 374
From: Atlanta, Georgia
I don't think my tire air pressure is low but I'll check it out. Maybe it is somehow the whole winter thing. An potential air leak somewhere in the intake wouldn't affect it much would it? Maybe if it was after the air flow sensor? Not too knowledgeable about that stuff. Ran an oil analysis at 60k and they said there might be dirt contamination and should check air filter/intake.
Carguy, 20-21 sounds high to me for a 350. I'm assuming that's mostly freeway driving for you? I can get ~22 if I do all freeway after a fill but it drops pretty quickly once back on streets.
Sorry. Kind of getting off topic.
Carguy, 20-21 sounds high to me for a 350. I'm assuming that's mostly freeway driving for you? I can get ~22 if I do all freeway after a fill but it drops pretty quickly once back on streets.
Sorry. Kind of getting off topic.
I do use 93 octane Shell V-power gas only and use a high performance air filter(UpGR8 brand) as well.
http://www.upgr8.com/store/oem-repla...ir-filter.html
The 20-21 mpg(actually settles on 20.4mpg mostly) is when I can drive the posted speed limit with less congestion and have the ECO light illuminated.
Like I posted earlier ,my mileage goes down to 18mpg in heavy stop-go traffic.
To be noted also the mileage goes down to 16mpg if I step on the gas to pass or just have fun, but usually goes back up if i drive responsible enough for the ECO light to turn back on.
FYI, I do have my cold tire pressures set to 36psi front and 38psi rear which may also account for the better mpg in conjunction with the new air filter and 93 octane gas.
The Lexus handles like a dream to me with the higher tire pressure, before with 32psi in all tires cold the RX350 felt like it was very sluggish when turning,accelerating,etc.
Last edited by carguy75; Feb 6, 2016 at 01:28 PM.
Pit Crew
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 216
Likes: 4
From: San Francisco, CA
Wow, that's pretty good mileage for half half. I use the same gas either from Shell or Chevron. I do drive a bit over limit though but not much. I'll bump up my PSI some more and see how it goes. Thanks
Driver
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 110
Likes: 2
Wow! I have an 2012 and use regular. Drive mostly secondary roads and highways. In the summer with 36 cold PSI I get an average of 23-24 if I don't play around, in the winter 21. Southern Nh got some great cruising back roads.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,088
Likes: 374
From: Atlanta, Georgia
I just drove the RX to work tonight and drove the speed limit all the way(which is very hard for me to do) and I averaged 23mpg(actually 22.9mpg) when I got to the job.
Traffic was pretty light tonight so I only had to slow down at the stoplights.
Very good for a SUV, however my 2014 KIA Optima with the turbo gets 30mpg when I drive slow and easy and average 22mpg when I get on it.
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