ls 430

I started mine on synthetic oil at 5000 miles just on general principles. A car like that deserves the extra care. Besides, if the things run 300,000 to 500,000 miles on regular oil, how long will that big V-8 run on a good synthetic? I'll probably never know!

Lexus doesn't recommend extending oil change interval on synthetics, though, so it's expensive.

I did recently switch mine from the Mobil to Castrol. Idle's a bit quieter on the Castrol.

-- Pete

V> I traded my 2002 gs 300 for a new 2003 ls 430 nav mark lev system

I'm using the 5,000 mile interval recommended by Lexus for 'severe service.' My use of the car is nowhere near severe - 80% Interstate cruising with full warmup before driving - but I've always been conservative about oil changes. 5K is the longest interval I've ever used on a car.

Since oil doesn't wear out - it just gets contaminated - I'm comfy with

My personal feeling is that with the Lexus V-8's low wear rate 3K is probably overdoing it a bit.

-- Pete

Buckshot LeFunk wrote:

My dealer told me it would be fine to switch oil change intervals from every 5000 miles to every 7500 miles if I switched to synthetic Mobil

1. The manual also says every 7500 miles is fine for normal driving.

Pete: I visited the Los Angeles Auto Show a few days ago. Sat in, played with all the controls, inspected the suspension, and drooled under the hood of the IS 430 there. NICE car! Last year, I bought a new Corolla because that met my "needs" .... but that IS 430 sure would fulfill some dreams. I'm jealous. LOL Enjoy your IS !!

1. Consider the following questions: When was the last time you heard of an engine "wearing out" on most modern cars? If you change the oil and filter using factory recommended intervals, I'm betting that the car will wear out before the engine does.

1. Consumer Reports took two taxi fleets from NYC. One fleet had the oil and filter changed based on factory suggested intervals. The second fleet had the oil changed twice as often. At the end of 100,000 miles, they had mechanics tear down the engines, and measured wear.

There was no difference between the two fleets.

I'd say save your money. Treat the car gently. Do the factory recommended service. Use a name brand of oil and filter, and I'm betting that you'll get 300k out of your LS engine without a great deal of trouble.

I don't expect that all of the electronic dodads will be as reliable.