Hello. Just purchased a used 2013 Lexus GS350 F Sport here in New Zealand. (Japanese Import) 73,000km, 8 Speed Transmission. Engine No: 2GR-8825435
Went to my local Toyota dealership to obtain a genuine Oil filter, and whilst there, inquired as to the correct recommended oil for my vehicle.
They asked me for some info from the Chassis plate on passenger door, and VIN etc.
(there is nothing on the oil filler cap, or engine bay that states a recommendation)
They told me that for my vehicle, it is recommended to use 10W30, which surprised me. They are 100% adamant that this is the recommended oil viscosity for my vehicle, and said they had Genuine Toyota 10W30 oil they can supply.
Where I live here in New Zealand, it never snows, and average all year temperature is 18 Celcius.
(barely get a frost if anything in Winter)
That aside, I am bit concerned, as I like Fully Synthetic oils, and I thought Toyota Genuine 10W30 is mineral based.
The car came with an original manual all in Japanese. I used photo translation software on the specs page, and it states the following for recommended oils.
0W20, 5W20, 5W30 and 10W30. (with the last two highlighted in bold)
My 2003 Lexus ES300 uses 5W30, so I already have some Mobil1 5W30 Fully Synthetic oil.
Just wanting some advice re: what oil I should opt for?
..Deano..
If the owner's manual says it can use 5W30 that should be fine as long as the oil otherwise meets the manufacturer's requirements.
I just Googled "1" in Japanese numbers and it is the same as English. Numbers have become almost universal. Thumb through your owner's manual. If you're lucky, you'll find a picture of the required grade of oil in a numerical form.
Good luck.
The dealership didn't design the car. Stick with the manufacturer's recommendation which is in your owners manual on page 728. The recommended oil is 0W-20 full synthetic.what oil I should opt for?
@hixster Apparently the owner's manual for that Japanese market vehicle has different recommendations, as quoted in the original posting. There are apparently 4 recommended grades of oil in that manual though it is unclear as to why two of them are highlighted in bold type.
@chucktobias with an average temperature of 18C( 64F) why wouldn't 0W-20 would be fine? The engine is literally the same engine regardless of where it's located. Might use a thicker in a very hot climate.
@hixster I have no idea why the recommendations are different in the Japanese market owner's manual. (It does list 0W20 as fine for that engine, but adds 3 others.)
@chucktobias no CAFE standards?
@hixster Possibly. Also, the engines may not be exactly the same between Japanese and U.S. market vehicles, as some people who have bought used JDM engines have discovered the hard way.
@chucktobias the specs from a translated owners manual: https://toyota-club.net/files/techdata/ttx/lexus_gs_l10j.htm the recommendations per specific engine model are given.
I have no idea why the recommendations are different in the Japanese market owner's manual.
interesting question. Different government regulation? Different fuel? driving habits?
Thank you for the responses.
I spoke with the mechanic who did the pre-purchase inspection for me. He used to work for Lexus in Japan.
He advised 5W30 or 10W30. His advice seems to mesh with what the Toyota dealership told me
I found out that if one has a GRL10 (as mine does) on the chassis plate, then it is suggested to run 10W30 If one has a GRL12, then it is suggested to run 0W20.
Here in New Zealand/Australia, I found out that the Genuine Toyota Oil is Castrol Edge 10W30 Full Synthetic.
They said I could run 5W30 without issue, but the Oil they have is not available in 5W30 as a Genuine Toyota oil.
..Dean..
Also, from what I am informed, 10W30 is rated as fine down to something like -18 Celsius, so where I live in NZ, the car will 'never' experience such cold temperatures.
(unless there is an ice age or something) (grin)
I value this forum, and amidst my total confusion thought I would ask anyway.
Watched a lot of youtube material on the GS350, primarily regarding the US Variants, so was aware of the 0W20 recommendation, and that's kind of what threw me when I was told that 10W30 is recommended down under in Aussie and New Zealand. Interesting.
..Dean..