Liqui-Moly OCI Why such a difference

[Pelican]

Just did a search on Liqui-Moly site and My RX350 with their Special Tec 0W20 requires a change at 8,000Km Oil is base is stock
My friend's MB GLE400 with Leichtlauf 0W40 also with stock base requires a change every 25,000Km.

What gives?

 

[sasilverbullet]

It's all about how the manufacturers built the engines, bearing clearance, oil capacity, filter capacity are a few things that all factor in to the recommended OCI. Remember also that it's kind of the "in" thing right now to have long OCI's.

 

[StevieC]

The engine in your RX350 if it's the 3.5 D4-s I have the same engine and my manual says up to 16,000km but to inspect the oil at 8,000km. I'm going to keep it at 8,000km until it's broken in and I have a used oil analysis telling me how far I can go on the 0w20 I'm running.

 

[Pelican]

Thanks SAS

 

[Pelican]

Originally Posted by StevieC
The engine in your RX350 if it's the 3.5 D4-s I have the same engine and my manual says up to 16,000km but to inspect the oil at 8,000km. I'm going to keep it at 8,000km until it's broken in and I have a used oil analysis telling me how far I can go on the 0w20 I'm running.


Thanks Stevie, I too am not a great believer of long OCI as I keep my cars for a very long time, 8,000Km is the max for me

 

[BrocLuno]

Lets see, that MB cost how much? And they are going to go 25K km because oil is what, $100/L ... Seems like false economy to me w/o a used oil analysis

 

[maxdustington]

Originally Posted by BrocLuno
Lets see, that MB cost how much? And they are going to go 25K km because oil is what, $100/L ... Seems like false economy to me w/o a used oil analysis

Only have to change the oil a few times before the end of the lease. Low cost of ownership for the dealer owner

 

[Wolf359]

Depends what the sump is on the Mercedes. My E350 holds 8.5 quarts. The regular oil change interval used to be 13k, but they just changed it to 10k now. There are many people on here that have done 10k OCI and done used oil analysis on it and it's been fine.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Those might just be the OE spec OCI's and L-M is simply copying them and saying to just follow the mfr spec

And as others have pointed out, the Lexus likely has a smaller oil capacity than the Benz. Larger sumps can handle a longer OCI.

 

[Pelican]

Originally Posted by slacktide_bitog
Those might just be the OE spec OCI's and L-M is simply copying them and saying to just follow the mfr spec

And as others have pointed out, the Lexus likely has a smaller oil capacity than the Benz. Larger sumps can handle a longer OCI.


That's probably it, a greater capacity in the sump allows to stretch the interval, but why triple this OCI when the xtra capacity is only 50%? Still I'm always playing it safe and stick to the severe use OCI.