the past few days ive been driving my car the little orange oil sign in the tach comes on and off while im driving. if i needed an oil change wouldnt it stay on consistant? also i just bought my car from a dealer and i havent driven 3k miles yet so is it even ready for an oil change? it just comes on then goes off, its weird. im gonna go check my oil level right now.

EDIT: i have oil, its right in the middle. maybe its time for a oil change?

 

Hey man,

I believe that the light going on and off means that you are needing oil change soon, whereas if it comes on and stays on it means you need oil NOW!!

Mine used to do it around 2500 miles into the oil change - I guess as a reminder?

Jonny

 

sounds like time for an oil change. i've only seen that light once and when i checked the oil there was NOTHING! and i've only driven around 1500 miles or so since my last oil change. anyways, never happened again after that.

 

thanks guys, sounds like my exhaust and LCA install is gonna get delayed more.

 

Why is that gonna delay your install. The car is gonna be up on a lift anyway. Just knock it out.

Oil filter-$8.00
Case of Mobil 1 Synthetic 10W30 oil-$16.00

It's not that bad. Hell if you were near I'd do it for free.

 

yea sounds like it shouldnt delay you. unless you had a leak somewhere and had no oil at all anymore.

 

im 16 and work minimum wage. money is hard to come by. especially when 20 bucks only gets me 6 gallons of gas . i work only 35-40 hours a week. im goin tomorrow to get an oil change

 

my car has 125k so should i go to 10w-30 mobil 1 synthetic? i searched and alot of people on here either run that or 5w-30.

 

Use Mobil 1 Synthetic 5w-30.

Also change your oil filter with OEM filter instead of fram, etc. If you haven't changed your oil drain plug and washer might as well do that also. Try to keep the the oil level as close to "F" If after you fill it up to "F" and later you check it to find that it's at half way mark, you're either burning alot of oil or there is a leak somewhere.

You should buy the oil and change it yourself...it's very easy!

 

yeah i did some research and 5w-30 sounds right.

EDIT: i just went to the mobil site and they have a search thing and it says that 10w-30 is best for my car. i was at a shop yesterday getting a quote for my LCA install (same place im getting oil change) and all they had was 10w-30.

 

The Lexus recommended viscosity for oil is 5w-30, it's written in the manual. I would use that, despite what Mobil says.

 

Nick 5w-30 is what your car should have (refer to your owners manual and probably even on your oil fill cap too.
you can probably get away with 10-30 but why bother tempting any possible problems when the price is the same on either?
And go with the synthetic
Good Luck

 

Manual recommends 5W-30 overall, but it also states if air temps go above 100F, you should use 10W-30. I would use the 10W during summer and 5W during winter. Figuring you're in CA, summer is here and temps will likely hit near there. I know here in NYC it's already hovering around 90 during the days, nevermind in midtown traffic. 10W-30 for me in the summer months.

 

Well I am going to contradict what everyone here says. Mobil 1 is thinner than every other oil. I am currently using Mobil 1 5W30 and it is a bit too thin for my liking. I would recommend using Amsoil 5W30, because its viscosity is inline with other oils. Also, using 10W30 in a car designed for 5W30 isn't going to harm anything. The first number is only the thickness when the oil is cold. Because Mobil 1 is thinner to begin with, the difference between M1 10W30 and other 5W30 oils, when cold, is very slight. Especially since it is a synthetic, and synthetic flows better when compared with dino oil to begin with. When I am due for my next oil change, I am switching to Amsoil 5W30. These are just my thoughts, based on what I have picked up through my various internet adventures.

Scott

 

I would have to say if your engine mileage is around 100,000 miles, then 10-30 may help shim or tighten up the engine bearing and piston ring clearances due to wear. Probably during very high summer temperatures with high mileage engines, 10-40 would not be out of line.