@dagosa, apparently the “o” is missing in “to” near the beginning of the first sentence. It should read: “I find it difficult to believe that Lexus/Toyota would recommend a practice that is bad for the car.”
That would agree.with what you wrote, correct? I also edited the post to correct the spelling error.
@jtsanders
Without my English major wife around, I am helpless. I am easily miss lead and should have picked that up without your correction. But, the core seems in tact. I guess I still trust Toyota to make the right choices in maintenance to still produce reliable motors over time. Now, there is a big out if you read the reference. Dropping from 10k to 5k still with synthetic for HD use is huge in actual mileage. I would have thought 7500 would be appropriate but it does indicate there is a lot of flexibility. So, I live on a dirt road and do towing and short driving in the winter with my 2013 Toyota. Guess what I am inclined to do . What I don’t like, is being able to monitor the transmission without a dip stick. IMHO, it’s a bigger issue. Motor oil always seems to eventually get changed by most…trans fluids don’t and they need monitoring that not havering a stick can’t provide. So, as it applies to transmissions, I agree with your original statement…fully.
I’m with @Bing on this
Better to play it safe and change your oil too soon, versus . . .
There’s no reason to blast anybody who feels comfortable changing their oil often
I rotate my tires every 5K . . . in spite of the fact that most of my colleagues don’t rotate their tires at all
I flush my brake fluid every 2 years . . . in spite of the fact that most of my colleagues have never flushed their brake fluid
Sticking to this schedule is comfortable for me
Perhaps somebody will claim I’m being foolish and I’m throwing my money and time away . . . ?
I believe I’ve made my point
We frequently approach the subject of extended oil change intervals from our experience, knowledge, gut, and willingness to go beyond what we’re comfortable with.
I fall into the camp of: Since the oil manufacturers and engine designers have over ten years of experience with extended oil change intervals (10k or longer) in other parts of the world, would they be bringing those extended intervals to the Americas if they didn’t work?
I dunno, I thought we were talking about engine maintenance not environmental protection. I guess it is clear which trumps which. For the most part I follow the recommended schedule in the owners manual. However, like I said, no distinction has been made between dino or syn. The change recommendations are the SAME. Putting syn in and thinking you can double the recommended changes as some here alude to is foolish.
As far as being scientific or operating out of fear, my Buick had 530,000 miles on it without using oil or having the engine opened up. Another Buick had 340,000 on it. My Olds has 204,000 on it, my other Olds had 240,000 on it. Seems to me that’s a pretty significant test sample. A couple hundred thousand miles is nothing compared to half a million.
I thought we were talking about engine maintenance not environmental protection.
I agree Bing that Europe’s environmental concerns forced the hand to motivate oil and engine manufacturers to figure out how to successfully achieve extended oil change intervals.
@TSM
"TT, you should realize that making sarcastic comments about the regimens of others because they prefer to take a more cautious approach to their maintenance than you believe in, and implying that they’re doing so out of ignorance, will not win anybody over to your way of thinking. "
First off, I never thought for one second I could change you, or anyone else’s here, way of thinking. I might as well set about trying to change your views on religion or politics. I am not foolish enough to think that would be possible. But you are not the only one reading these posts. There is a next generation and not unlike the Soviet Union that would never fall until the old guard faded off into the horizon, the next generation is likely to be more open to these kind of ideas. They are inheriting this earth from us.
I used to be firmly in the “scorched earth” camp. That’s not meant to imply you or anyone else here is but rather explain that after I had a kid I started to look at things more long term. Then I got involved in some projects aimed at monitoring NOx and SOx emissions from ocean going ships. Recall the MH370 search? They found lots of debris floating around and oil slicks large enough to possibly be from the plane, but they weren’t. They were “normal stuff” encountered every day in our oceans. I know many people are old enough (but not too old or compromised) to remember the 60s and 70s pollution issues. The commercial with the native American tearing up at the sights. The oceans are still like that, a dumping ground. Do you know that there are coastal zones set up around many countries now that prohibit the burning of high sulfur fuels by ships? Do you know that they go to the trouble of carrying two separate fuels so that when they enter the zone they switch to the more expensive low-sulfur fuel but switch back when they are outside of the zones? Corporations typically do not have a conscience…but individuals often do and when they realize the contribution they make to the big picture it can have a lasting effect.
All I am suggesting is that you think about the origins of the rate you choose to follow. How did you arrive at it?
"And you do know that used oil is recycled???"
Is that supposed to be some sort of “get out of jail free” card? let’s ignore the realities of what “recycling” involves or just what happens to the heavy metals and other pollutants that result from it. Out of sight, out of mind…
@Bing
"Seems to me that’s a pretty significant test sample. "
Or maybe it is the combined result of everything you do. Again, if someone were to come on here and say they changed their oil every week and their engines ran without incident for 500k miles, would that be definitive proof that going longer would be detrimental?
“I dunno, I thought we were talking about engine maintenance not environmental protection. I guess it is clear which trumps which.”
They seem to be tied together but for the sake of argument let’s assess the value of your engine against the environment…
I’m on board with the 10,000 mile change, with a conservative definition of the “severe service” exception.
I consider my driving conditions severe, so I’d stick with 5000 miles even if I did switch to synthetic.
I don’t blame people for changing their oil more frequently than manufacturer specifications, that being said I have a coworker that has an 07 civic that has had nothing but 6k to 10k oil change intervals and its just fine. I am now following manufacture specified intervals on my vehicles, my 2013 prius had its first oil change at 9000 miles and 1 year after it was made. The oil didn’t look too bad but I know that visual inspection only tells so much, however the oil was not black and its just fine. The engine may last only until 300k miles instead of 500k but I don’t care.
Many people follow GMs OLM and have no problem. I have over maintained my vehicles in the past and have seen no benefit from it. Now you use may more natural resources than necessary when changing your oil more frequent than necessary, but the same could be said for going on vacation on a cruise ship, you would use alot less natural resources if you just stayed home.
Now I always flush my toilet twice whether it needs it or not, it makes me happy and I don’t want any clogs…JK…
The question was whether 10,000 was too long for the first oil change in a Lexus that was already at 8,000. Somehow we got to the point of people changing their new car oil at 5000 as being unconcerned with cargo ships dumping their cargo in the ocean. And anyone not waiting for 10,000 miles is just a fearful old coot operating out of pure ignorance and all will be good when this old coot generation dies off and the new more open minded generation takes over, such as Putin, huh? Good luck with that one.
Incidentally, last week at church a guy pulled up with his fairly new Lexus and as we talked it was idling and clattering like crazy. Sounded to me like tappets but I suppose it could have been injectors. After he left and friend and I just looked at each other and said what was that noise? And wasn’t Toyota the ones with the sludge problems from extended oil changes? Maybe I would be a little fearful if I owned one of these.
“Now I always flush my toilet twice whether it needs it or not, it makes me happy and I don’t want any clogs…”
I hear ya; the unintended consequences of the 1.6 gpf law.
“And wasn’t Toyota the ones with the sludge problems from extended oil changes?”
I have yet to find any report of sludge if oil was changed to synthetic at the first service and continued at mfr. recommended intervals. (Yes, Toyota screwed up by not requiring syn.)
“a guy pulled up with his fairly new Lexus and as we talked it was idling and clattering like crazy. Sounded to me like tappets but I suppose it could have been injectors.”
If it was a late model Lexus with Direct Injection, it definitely could have been the injectors. The late model Beemers with Direct Injection sound almost like a clattering diesel, due to that type of injection system. Even Consumer Reports noted the tinny noise from those BMW engines, so that problem may afflict newer Lexi as well.
@Bing
There is no need to be an either or with the environment and good maintenance. Just the idea that we accept 5k oil changes now when a few years ago, the same people were giving the same arguments for 3k oil changes. So we have come a long way. I bet in a few years when those you do come to trust say 10 k with synthetic works, you will be a big proponent…I have no doubt.
Btw, just for the sake of a good disagreement …,if there was a conflict between the environment and car maintenance, remember you can buy new cars, you can’t buy a new environment very easily. Besides, it has always been my contention that it is up to economics and car makers to make cars that don’t rust, which they can with little effort but don’t unless forced to and car motors that easily last as long as they do now with 10k oil changes with synthetic. But again won’t unless forced. The average car motor today is much more long lasting and harms the environment less. So that is proof positive they have the technology.
In this day and age with all that has happened it is ALWAYS about the environment first and that is a part of every discussion on IC motors. They are polluters both in use and maintenance. If you breathe the same air you share with cars, you can’t avoid it. IF YOU LIVE ON THE SAME PLANET with polluters, you can’t avoid it.
Btw too, I always include what type of oil is used in the discussion of longer oil change intervals. Putin ! A communist take over is a result of longer oil change intervals. Interesting. ;()
The first generation of low flow toilets were terrible, but the ones they have now don’t need to be flushed more than once. My last apartment and my current apartment have the new version of low flow toilets, and I have no complaints.
I have one of the early ones. It uses half the water but often has to be flushed twice. And I have to keep a plunger handy. Sometimes even twice doesn’t do it.
(^ Eat raisin bran cereal.)
Are oil filters getting better and letting only smaller particles stay in suspension?
I still don’t like the color of her oil. I want to change it now even though she says it’s too early.
Robt, with all due respect, the lady in question might be better off leaving well enough alone then have you to do it. 
“The late model Beemers…”
You mean Bimmers:
"Robt, ... the lady ... might be better off leaving well enough alone then [than] have you to do it. ;)"I do it better. (Oil changes.) As a perfectionist, I let the old oil drip out longer and thoroughly clean everything: oil cap, area around the oil cap, dipstick and tube opening, oil plug and area around the opening, filter area.