Bear with me, this is my first post here. I have been reading general threads and also threads specific to the oil/filter I am considering using. So let's get into it.
Back when I got my license, I looked into oil/filters and decided that when I change my own oil I will run purolator one filters, and if I take it some place, I will go to either the quick lane (which uses motorcraft filters) or a specific midas (which uses napa gold for my specific application at the time).
Well a lot has changed in 10 years and I've gone through many vehicles, and for the first time in my life I am considering switching to a full synthetic oil to achieve longer OCIs. I have a new-to-me 2008 Lexus RX400h, which is a hybrid model with a 3MZFE at the heart of it. I bought it from an auction, but it was a one owner vehicle and all the service records I have from mycarfax show services at the Lexus dealership, oil changes 5-6k miles apart typically. Unfortunately, I have no idea what oil was used, as the manual suggests 5w20 or 0w20.
The 3MZFE was used in similar era camry's as well as highlanders (the hybrid until 2010), but from what I can tell, Toyota kept the 5k mile OCI in the manual for all these vehicles and never extended it. Correct me if I'm wrong.
My logic for the vehicle though is that being a hybrid, it has start stop obviously, and has electric motors to assist the ICE, reducing load stressors on it and therefore wear. To what extent, who knows.
That being said, I have put 5k miles on the vehicle since purchase, and the last oil change record is about 2k miles before that, so I am just about at 7k miles on the oil in it (though I have added about a half to a quart since purchase). I want to do an oil change but shop prices have gone up and a $20 oil change is no more, at least in my area, and being an SUV, the oil change procedure should take me no more than 20 minutes on this car.
As I looked at the various oils available, I see Mobil 1 has two oils that interest me: The extended performance (15k OCI), and the annual protection (20k OCI). I was hoping to switch to 10k OCIs by using full synthetic, but these two options would be even better for me. I drive about 20k miles a year. There is a pretty big price difference between the two oils, $26 for the EP, $40 for the AP. Filters aside, 60k miles would cost $104 for oil with the EP, while it would cost $120 with the AP. Regardless, I was planning to do a UOA at 10k before proceeding to 15-20k.
So that brings me to you guys, the armchair experts. When Mobil 1 lists an oil as having a 15k-20k OCI, does that apply to older engines with 5k OCI intervals outlined by the manufacturer? Are there limitations? I would personally have no problem running 10k without worry as long as the oil wasn't black, but is switching to a 15-20k OCI a smart thing to do in my case? Should I ease into it with a 10k OCI for my first oil change, then 15 for the second? That it what I am unsure of.
As for filters, this is another aspect where I would love to get more mileage out of it. I am looking at the purolator BOSS series (15k claim) and the Mobil 1 extended performance series (20k claim).
I welcome all parties to the discussion, all opinions, questions, responses welcome.
Here is a picture of my dipstick (it's safe for work, don't worry
)
Again, that has 7k miles on it, without about a quart added since I've had it.
Back when I got my license, I looked into oil/filters and decided that when I change my own oil I will run purolator one filters, and if I take it some place, I will go to either the quick lane (which uses motorcraft filters) or a specific midas (which uses napa gold for my specific application at the time).
Well a lot has changed in 10 years and I've gone through many vehicles, and for the first time in my life I am considering switching to a full synthetic oil to achieve longer OCIs. I have a new-to-me 2008 Lexus RX400h, which is a hybrid model with a 3MZFE at the heart of it. I bought it from an auction, but it was a one owner vehicle and all the service records I have from mycarfax show services at the Lexus dealership, oil changes 5-6k miles apart typically. Unfortunately, I have no idea what oil was used, as the manual suggests 5w20 or 0w20.
The 3MZFE was used in similar era camry's as well as highlanders (the hybrid until 2010), but from what I can tell, Toyota kept the 5k mile OCI in the manual for all these vehicles and never extended it. Correct me if I'm wrong.
My logic for the vehicle though is that being a hybrid, it has start stop obviously, and has electric motors to assist the ICE, reducing load stressors on it and therefore wear. To what extent, who knows.
That being said, I have put 5k miles on the vehicle since purchase, and the last oil change record is about 2k miles before that, so I am just about at 7k miles on the oil in it (though I have added about a half to a quart since purchase). I want to do an oil change but shop prices have gone up and a $20 oil change is no more, at least in my area, and being an SUV, the oil change procedure should take me no more than 20 minutes on this car.
As I looked at the various oils available, I see Mobil 1 has two oils that interest me: The extended performance (15k OCI), and the annual protection (20k OCI). I was hoping to switch to 10k OCIs by using full synthetic, but these two options would be even better for me. I drive about 20k miles a year. There is a pretty big price difference between the two oils, $26 for the EP, $40 for the AP. Filters aside, 60k miles would cost $104 for oil with the EP, while it would cost $120 with the AP. Regardless, I was planning to do a UOA at 10k before proceeding to 15-20k.
So that brings me to you guys, the armchair experts. When Mobil 1 lists an oil as having a 15k-20k OCI, does that apply to older engines with 5k OCI intervals outlined by the manufacturer? Are there limitations? I would personally have no problem running 10k without worry as long as the oil wasn't black, but is switching to a 15-20k OCI a smart thing to do in my case? Should I ease into it with a 10k OCI for my first oil change, then 15 for the second? That it what I am unsure of.
As for filters, this is another aspect where I would love to get more mileage out of it. I am looking at the purolator BOSS series (15k claim) and the Mobil 1 extended performance series (20k claim).
I welcome all parties to the discussion, all opinions, questions, responses welcome.
Here is a picture of my dipstick (it's safe for work, don't worry
Again, that has 7k miles on it, without about a quart added since I've had it.
