2000 Lexus LS400 Recommendations

[Speedboat_LS]

Hello everyone, this is my first post here

I am looking to get a recommendation for my 2000 Lexus LS400 (4.0L 1UZ-FE V8). She has got 77,600 miles on her, so it's quite low for the year, but it is still starting to get up there.

I've been using Castrol GTX 5W30, but I wonder if it's time to go with High Mileage, or maybe even make the switch to synthetic. I sure have heard some great things about Mobil 1, but I'm just a bit hesitant to make the switch with a vehicle this age.

A few things to mention:

1) I make a lot of short trips (just a couple of miles at a time).
2) I don't put many miles on the car per year (about 6,000)
3) I've never had any engine trouble/leaks whatsoever. IMO the build quality of this vehicle is even better than the newer Lexus vehicles... which is pretty darn good.

Even though the car is a bit old, she is in great shape and I'd like to keep her that way.

For those that do recommend synthetic: What sort of oil change interval would work for me? I only put about 6,000 miles per year on her, and I know that with synthetic they recommend a change every 10,000 or 15,000+ miles... However, in my case, that adds up to a period of 2-3 years. Maybe something like 6 months is more realistic? (Especially considering the fact that I make a lot of short trips)

Anyway, I would greatly appreciate some advice, it seems we have some very knowledgeable people here!

 

[Quattro Pete]

Welcome to BITOG!

Nice car!

Considering the driving patterns that you've described, I think synthetic oil is a waste. Stick with decent mineral oil such as Pennzoil and just change it more frequently, like say every 6 months since you make very short trips that don't allow the engine to warm up properly and burn off moisture.

 

[HTSS_TR]

My '94 LS400 with more than 250k miles had been using conventional 5W30 with 6-7k/6mo OCI and synthetic with 12-13k/12mo OCI since new without any engine problems. It had different brand names oil whichever was on sale. The oil filter I have on the car is Motorcraft FL400S which is $3.xx at Walmart. I change the oil filter once a year, it was reused with dino but changed out each year with synthetic.

For your driving conditions, I would either use conventional with 6 months OCI or synthetic with 1 year OCI.

 

[Capa]

I have a 1999 GS400 with the exact same V8. I switched the vehicle to synthetics at around 114,000 mikes and there have been absolutely no leaks. I initially tried Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0w30 but at very cold temps The car would make a noise that I'm still unsure whether it was the oil filter or valvetrain noise. I drive around 7500 miles a year and my drive to work is 7 miles, so lots of shirt trips. I don't enjoy changing oil that much and do switched to a yearly OCI and am now using Mobil EP. It is absolutely smooth and no noise whatsoever. I just bought some Mobil 0W-40 and intend to run it next.

 

[deven]

That 4.0L V8 is arguably one of the best engines Toyota has ever produced. So having approx. 80K miles is nothing on that engine. You can throw any good API SL-SM-SN conventional oil in that sump and change it every 5,000 miles and that motor will never let you down. Great engine and a great car.

 

[SteveSRT8]

The original Lexii are known for running nearly forever.

Whatever you choose, change it at a slightly shorter interval if you're a 'short hopper'.

 

[JasonBraswell]

I have the 4.7L 2UZ-FE in my landcruiser and I run the Mobil 1 5w30 high mileage oil. I had a very slow leak around the valve covers and I wanted to see if this would help. So far, it looks good after 2k miles. I plan to change this oil every 10k miles.

Regarding the oil filter, use the OEM toyota/lexus filters "Made in Japan" version. No aftermarket filter can touch the quality of the denso filters out of Japan.

 

[Speedboat_LS]

Thanks for the recommendations everyone! I do respect your opinions and advice, although I do still have some concerns:

The manual calls for a 7,500 mile/6-month oil change under normal conditions, and 5,000/6months for severe service. The thing is, the driving I do with this car is what I would consider beyond severe.

1) Approx. 40% of the trips are VERY short, just 1 to 2 miles
2) Almost no highway driving (quite the opposite; it's almost all stop-and-go traffic)
3) It is a dusty environment (southern AZ)
4) Temps are 100F or more for quite a few months during the year

Points #1 and #2 make me concerned about the level of moisture/fuel that could be accumulating in the oil, and makes me hesitant to go beyond 6 months, even with synthetic. (Yes, I have always been conservative with oil changes, especially with nice cars

It seems the only way to know for sure is to get a used oil analysis, so I have requested a kit from Blackstone.

It is my understanding that synthetic provides better protection while the engine is cold/still warming up. This is a big reason why I am interested in making the switch, because it is a regular occurrence for the engine not to be fully warmed up by the time I reach my destination.

As for the oil filter, I have always used the Toyota 90915-YZZD3, which by all accounts is quite a good filter (and it is what the Lexus dealership here uses on LS400s). The car originally came with the 90915-20004, but this one is a lot harder to come by now, and isn't sold anywhere locally. Since the YZZD3 is pretty darn good I haven't bothered with the 20004s.

Anyway, given these type of driving habits, is a 1 year OCI (with synthetic) really the best option? I know this engine is as solid as they come, but I still want to take care of it as best as I can.

 

[Capa]

You're borderline. The miles you drive are probably sufficient for a Dino. I agree that you should go by the severe schedule because of the short trips. Personally I would go with a synthetic. You might be able to extend the OCI to 16-18 months with a synthetic.

 

[Vaca]

Great engine and great car, just use a good 5w30 (Pennzoil conventional, Mobil Super, Castrol GTX, Havoline, Valvoline, QS, etc) every 5000 miles and the engine will be fine. Try to take a good, long drive every week or two so that everything warms up and the moisture burns off.

 

[Falcon_LS]

I notice you are from Arizona, which I reckon has a climate quite similar to where I am based in Kuwait. Over here, the same engine is recommended a 5W-40 full synthetic. Lexus even have their own branded synthetic in this viscosity.

Considering the mileage you put on this beauty, my suggestion would be Pennzoil Ultra 5W-40 Euro with 6 month drain intervals. But if you're dead set on not using a synthetic lubricant, I would look not further than Motorcraft Synthetic Blend 10w30 or Pennzoil 10w30 conventional every 5,000 miles/6 months.

Whilst your trips are short, I would imagine the engine reaches operating temperature rather quickly during the summer. Over here, a 1.5 km (about 1 mile) drive is all it takes to reach operating temperature in the summer.

Also, try and replace your air filter often if you are not considering installing a flow resistance meter.

 

[mcrn]

I personally do not recommend the 5W40 because driving 1 to 2 miles I do not think gives the time to reach its operating temp. So its probably running like a 50wt for most of the time. So I would think a 5w30 conventional like Pennzoil conventional changed every 6 months would do great. I think a synthetic might be good too but I would not leave it in for longer than a year without a used oil analysis to make sure the fuel dilution and Na levels are not getting too bad. I would also look into a very good air filter since you are in a dusty climate.

 

[GenSan]

Stick with any major brand conventional and change it every 7,500 miles or 1 year whichever comes first.

My Dad had a first generation 1991 silver LS 400 and that's the schedule he followed.

17 years later and nearly 200,000 miles on the car before we traded it in for a 2008 GS 350.

They don't makes Lexus' like they did during the "Relentless pursuit of perfection" days.

My Dad and I both agree.

 

[Norm Olt]

In AZ there are probably very few nights cold enough to leave enough moisture in the crankcase to really worry about. Take a nice long highway run once a month, these cars are meant to run at 80-110 mph all day.

A good dino/blend 5(or 10 in your climate)W-30 twice a year would be an easy way to go... Even easier would be PP, SynPower, etc. acquired on sale/rebate changed annually. If you try this do your OA at 7,500 or so: probably find the oil good for twice that far. These Lexus V8's are a Top 10 in design and execution in every way.

Cheers!

p.s. NAPA has an excellent filter for these engines. When they are on sale they probably are way less than 1/2 the price of the Toyota filters, maybe 1/3rd the $.