Oil Choice with Direct Injection - Additives

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Greetings,

I am considering purchase of a 2017 Lexus GS350. It has a 3.5 liter V6 with Direct Injection. This will be my first vehicle with Direct Injection. I've been told the approach Lexus took with Direct Injection in this engine is that it is in fact a combination of direct injection and port injection. I assume this approach was taken, possibly in part, to avoid the build up of carbon/deposits on intake valves. Incidentally, this engine requires premium gas.

I am considering moving away from using one of my favorite engine oils, Amsoil signature series in this vehicle because it has a very high amount of calcium-based additives. Instead, I would move back to Mobil 1, with its combination of magnesium/calcium combination additive package. My thinking is that Mobil 1's additive package approach might be better suited to engines with Direct Injection. I suspect Mobil's approach means a lower amount of sulphated ash, which I have heard is a characteristic beneficial to engines with Direct Injection.

Comments? Am I correct or is my thinking incorrect?
 
My SiL has a Lexus with that 3.5 motor. I run 5w30 Valvoline syn oil in since she has had it. No problems and just change it once a year.

The 3.5 motor also does not have any major issues with carbon due to the dual inject system they use. The 2.5 DI motor Toyota/lexus used does have problems so those need more intake cleaning.
 
I forgot to add - the required oil is a 0W-20 grade in this engine, and I believe the oil change interval is 12 months or 10,000 miles, whichever comes first. This engine is NOT turbocharged.
 
The real benefit to Mobil1 compared Amsoil is that Mobil uses a low-calcium, high-magnesium formula while Amsoil is very calcium-heavy. This is significant because calcium additives have been associated with low-speed pre-ignition, a direct-injection phenomenon.

Manufacturers anticipate LSPI and typically richen the mixture when it is likely to occur. So if the manufacturers have done their job, oil choice shouldn't matter. But given this is still the early days of DI, erring on the side of caution can't be a bad thing. Mobil1 0w-20 would be a great choice.

Reducing intake valve deposits may be a benefit of combining port and direct fuel injection. But, iirc, the real reason was to improve part throttle-repsonsiveness as DI alone can have issues filling the cylinder perfectly.
 
Even though Lexus specifies the oci at 10,000 miles, you might want to take into account your driving style. All highway miles might work but if you have a lot of city driving, then 5000-7500 would be a better choice. Any major brand of oil that meets the Lexus specs will work. Your choice of M1 is very good.
 
Today i changed the oil in the Hyundai ix35 1.6 GDi with Mobil1 esp formula 5w30. Very low noack low calcium to prevent pre igniton and carbon build up on the intake valves. I change the oil every 5k miles.
 
Coastas00 -

I would seriously consider the Mobil 1 ESP formula if it came in the 0W-20 grade...That is what is spec'd for this engine.
 
Originally Posted By: btanchors
I am considering purchase of a 2017 Lexus GS350. It has a 3.5 liter V6 with Direct Injection. This will be my first vehicle with Direct Injection. I've been told the approach Lexus took with Direct Injection in this engine is that it is in fact a combination of direct injection and port injection.

Comments? Am I correct or is my thinking incorrect?


Yes, Toyota (Lexus) has port injection just so enough fuel detergents can clean the backsides of the valves, while still getting the benefits of DI.
 
Originally Posted By: JimPghPA
Saved for future reference.


Hi there Jim,

I've noticed you doing this frequently. There's an option at the top of each thread where you can add the thread to your Watched List. Click on Topic Options at the top of each thread. Then click on Add to Watched Topics. It may make things easier for you which is why the option exists. Signed,

Doo_wop_kid_rock
 
your new 2017 lexus also comes with 20,000/2yr or 4 services (incl 2 oil changes with synthetic typically tgmo but maybe dealers choice of 0w20) .

you should worry first about actually buying the car and then enjoying it rather than obsessing. don't worry about the oil until the free stuff runs out.
if you must obsess maybe worry about floor mats or paint and body treatment or regular vs premium fuel for awhile.
 
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I have to admit that with the Mobil1 Esp formula i have a little more noise on startup from the valvetrain in comparison with the Castrol edge i was using before. Should i be worried?
 
Originally Posted By: Costas00
I have to admit that with the Mobil1 Esp formula i have a little more noise on startup from the valvetrain in comparison with the Castrol edge i was using before. Should i be worried?

No.
 
So - In addition to Mobil 1, other products I would be inclined to consider for this new Lexus would be Redline and Amsoil Signature, 0W-20.

Both Redline and Amsoil list their NOACK values, and since this characteristic appears to be important for vehicles with Direct Injection, I sent the following question to Mobil:

"Can you tell me the NOACK value for the new Mobil 1 Annual Protection 0W-20?"

The response:

"Just like other companies, we do not discuss our product formulations for obvious proprietary reasons. Mobil 1 is forumulated using a combination of high performance fluids including PAO, along with a proprietary system of performance additives. But in the end, it is about performance rather than the specific elements of the formulation in their individual performance."

Obviously, they think my question would reveal something about the base oil, which I did NOT ask about - my entire inquiry is exactly as above. Secondly, both Amsoil and Redline DO post their NOACK values. And thirdly, I AM talking about performance - and NOACK values measure that performance, in part. I didn't ask a single question about their additives or base oil.

It's obvious they just picked a form response rather than trying to answer my question...Sheesh! Having said that, I am still strongly considering Mobil 1 Annual protection 0W-20 for this Lexus.
 
Some list that - and some list specifications - and builder approvals ...

Good as Redline and Amsoil SS are - they don't always carry pedigree ...

One can always ignore the 20k stuff and run AP 10k ... expensive but not compared to Redline ...
 
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