suggestions please!

[07ES350]

I recently bought a used 2007 Lexus ES 350 with 55k miles on her. I am about to do the first needed oil change and I plan on using Mobil 1 5W 30 with a mobil filter, unless this site shows me otherwise. The manual calls for 5w30 weight. I live in Indiana where it can get cold (single digits in Jan-Feb) and hot (close to 100 in summer). I will probably put about 15k to 18k miles on it per year. My driving habits are about a 30 min commute to work daily, starting off with stop and go and then aout 20 min highway driving. I do make some occasional short trips of about 5-10 miles also. I do NOT drive it easy either. With this car being used, I have no idea what oil has been used before and how often it was changed. I would like to stretch out the changes to as long as possible without being risky. I do have some lifter type of noise from the engine which is somewhat normal for this engine from my research and I did own one before and it also had the noise. I had the dealer do the oil changes on the old one since it was covered by my wifes job. My question is... Any other suggestions for brand and weight of oil? How long should I go before I change again? I plan on subbmitting a sample to Blackstone on the next change. Should I submit a sample of the current oil to Blackstone as well? Thanks.

 

[renegade_987]

I would say that Mobil 1 5w30 or Quaker State Synthetic 5w30 would be your best choices. For an OCI, 7-8K sounds good

 

[Kuato]

If you don't know how many miles are on the current oil, the UOA at Blackstone won't tell you much.

I think the M1 will be fine, start with a 5k interval and work up from there with your UOAs.

In our Jeeps 5w30 is recommended in the winter. Last winter we used 0w30 with good results, so that's my thought on winter weight to use. We're in VA, weather's a bit warmer than IN but not much.

 

[Astro14]

M1 is a great choice. 0W30 or 5W30 is fine. If you want to go past the factory OCI - get the UOA done and go with M1 EP.

By the way, what is the factory OCI? Personally, the 7,500 mile OCI on the Volvos works out great - I rotate the tires at teh same time and everything lines up for the 30K intervals on other service. I would rather lump the work together and save the time/hassle than squeeze a few more miles out of the oil...

 

[ARCOgraphite]

I dont see whats so special about Mobil 1. I would use a good synthetic and the Lexus Denso filter. You dont need a UOA, you need a TBN home test kit for the winter OCI leg. 7500+ OCI should be no problem in the warm months with the fake American synthetics.

 

[SrDriver]

Guess I am from the old school but I would change @ 5000 miles and use the OEM Lexus Denso filter. Quaker State 5W30, Mobile 1, 5W30, or any Synthetic 5W30 will serve you well.

 

[07ES350]

What exactly is the Lexus "Denso filter"? Is "Denso" a type of filter or A brand of filter? Can I just use a Mobil 1 filter or other good quality filter from the auto store?

 

[ARCOgraphite]

It's the oem toyota denso japan filter that came on the engine - built better than anything you'll buy aftermarket and les expense then a Mobil1 "Lee Maxifilter". I would only use that if available, I would not use a Thai denso if the Lexus parts guy hand you something that says, "Made in Thailand". Had BIG problems with those filters in past years on multiple applications.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Originally Posted By: SrDriver
Guess I am from the old school but I would change @ 5000 miles and use the OEM Lexus Denso filter. Quaker State 5W30, Mobile 1, 5W30, or any Synthetic 5W30 will serve you well.
5k oci on a FakeSyn would be wastefull. Any current SN dino at 3 bucks/qt will take you 5k easy** I am with you on using "conventional" for approx 5K oci over using a LL/EP oil running 10K plus OCI - unless that 10k comes at 2.5K/Mo highway.
** as long as that 5k doesnt take a year across winter with bias towards short trips.

 

[walk23]

You're talking about 2 OCI's per year. Nothing wrong with M1 or it's filter. Think you'd be equally happy with Mobil Synthetic and a P1 filter. If Lexus specs a 5W-20 I'd try that weight and after 7500 miles determine whether you're satisfied. Mobil doesn't get a lot recognition but their Drive Clean 5000 was one of the best oils at that time. I think you'd save a few bucks and be served well it. The M1 EP would be a good choice if you want to cut down on oil changes, but I prefer more changes, 2 vs. 1 over the same 15K.