Oil for lexus lx 470 (1 Viewer)

[BEG]

I do understand the other considerations, such a fuel mileage, etc. But...it seems there is really no scientific reason to run anything else, just mostly preference or "feel". I have always placed my trust in the engineers that designed the engine and tested it for all conditions and the millions of dollars the manufacturer spent to support it.

But, as the OP seems to indicate, he can't find a particular oil in his area of the world, then he has to go with the next closest spec. So that makes sense regardless of any other reasons.

There is a lot of science behind it. Tons. There are entire forums dedicated to discussing the nuances of different oils as well as plenty of independent labs that test a vehicle owner's used oil sample and provide a breakdown of what's happening in your engine as well as provide suggestions for improving performance through longer/shorter oil change intervals and/or alternative oil recommendations.

I like 0W-40 because it's a European spec oil and has a higher quality additives package than U.S. spec oil as well as being a true synthetic and not Group III based. It's on the thinner end of the 40w spectrum which is just fine for my 120k mile LX. While the 0W isn't an advantage over the 5W (5W cSt is actually less than 0W) the 0W-40 has a higher HTHS which means better wear protection. I might try something like Castrol Syntec 0W-30 one day, because the characteristics are very similar even though the numbers on the jug are different. Oil selection isn't black magic. You just have to know a little bit about what's in it and how those ingredients perform in your engine given a certain climate and driving characteristics.

 

[ItGoesTo11]

There is a lot of science behind it. Tons. There are entire forums dedicated to discussing the nuances of different oils as well as plenty of independent labs that test a vehicle owner's used oil sample and provide a breakdown of what's happening in your engine as well as provide suggestions for improving performance through longer/shorter oil change intervals and/or alternative oil recommendations.

I like 0W-40 because it's a European spec oil and has a higher quality additives package than U.S. spec oil as well as being a true synthetic and not Group III based. It's on the thinner end of the 40w spectrum which is just fine for my 120k mile LX. While the 0W isn't an advantage over the 5W (5W cSt is actually less than 0W) the 0W-40 has a higher HTHS which means better wear protection. I might try something like Castrol Syntec 0W-30 one day, because the characteristics are very similar even though the numbers on the jug are different. Oil selection isn't black magic. You just have to know a little bit about what's in it and how those ingredients perform in your engine given a certain climate and driving characteristics.

Ok, I understand that, but none of this is a compelling reason to change from what the manufacturer specs. The additives you cite might just be wasted for your application. The HTHS may not be necessary in your engine, if it's not subjected to those shear loads. Or maybe they do help if you are running the vehicle out of spec (extreme conditions), but that's not the norm, it's the exception.

I'm very familiar with Blackstone and how they analyze what's happening inside an engine based on how the oil parameters after a certain number of miles, but there is no empirical evidence I can find that says using ABC 1000W non-spec oil is better than the 5W30 (or whatever) the manufacturer specs. It seems *most all* oils will work.

I suspect that the standard manufacturer spec is more than enough for everyday applications and unless your vehicle is subjected to extremes, using anything lese is simply preference because we feel we might be doing something "good". What it's looking like is we can (reasonably) use any oil we feel comfortable with because the worst you are doing is "overkill", but you are not harming anything because the standard spec oil is more than enough for 95% of operational loads and conditions. Anything above it is just personal preference, outside of extreme usage conditions.

Now, the only caveat to this is what you mentioned in the first sentence, there is certainly a proven difference in oil life longevity and ability to absorb abuse between conventional and synthetic oils. So that, to me, is the only reason to move from a base conventional oil manufacturers spec to a synthetic spec of the same weight.

 

[Nottajeep]

I am curious what the Toyota manual cites for engine oil in a V8 in the middle east.
if it's a different weight than the 5w-30 and heavier like a 40wt, is the oil different because Toyota USA had to jump through a bunch of USA CAFE standards that are not necessary elsewhere?

 

[Dannyboy lx470]

I am curious what the Toyota manual cites for engine oil in a V8 in the middle east.
if it's a different weight than the 5w-30 and heavier like a 40wt, is the oil different because Toyota USA had to jump through a bunch of USA CAFE standards that are not necessary elsewhere?

 

[Dannyboy lx470]

From what I have seen 5w 40 is standard for toyota and lexus 5w 30 hard to come by even local oil companys make there fully synthetic oil 5w 40.I have also seen 20w 50 and a 10w 40.

 

[Julian Stead]

Toyota UK give you 10w-40 semi synthetic as standard in there service, you can upgrade to 5w-30 fully synthetic but you pay a premium.

 

[Landpimp]

The cap(on our cruiser and
Lexus) says 5-30......Costco sells(on sale often) Mobil 1 in the same flavor.....what more can you ask for?

Want to guess what I run in my older cruisers?

Had 30 or so rigs, 18 cruisers or so, have 10 cruisers now.....never had a motor apart in my life.

Remember regardless of how cushy the cruiser has gotten over the years......they are meant to be run hard with little care in really crappy places you would not move your mother in law to.

 

[jemsec]

This subject is no longer a science. Mobile 1, Amsoil and other high quality synthetic oils are the best choice. 5W-30 is the choice of most. Change mine every 6-8,000 miles, along with filter, knowing it will go further.

 

[ga12r1]

Count me in as another that uses M1 0-w40. I run it in both my 80 and my 100. Down here in south ga in the summer it makes the oil pressure gauge in my 80 read a little higher. I doubt it means anything but it makes me happier

 

[Bardiya]

This is from the owners manual of my 6 cylinder for the GCC (I guess both 6 and 8 cylinder have the same manual)
FYI: All viscosities of engine oils are available here

 

[Dannyboy lx470]

This is from the owners manual of my 6 cylinder for the GCC (I guess both 6 and 8 cylinder have the same manual)
FYI: All viscosities of engine oils are available here

View attachment 1366461

5w 30 I have not seen.

 

[Nottajeep]

I guess it's only fair... you guys get all the cool diesels and we get the 30 wt oil