GPK

Thank you....the previous owner & Lexus dealer used conventional oil...so it is quite possible the synthetic is picking up previous deposits......Thanks for the filter comment...the Lexus filter is likely less than the M1.......GPK

I suppose that it is possible that the Mobil 1 is doing a better job of picking up and holding contaminants that regular dino oil didn't capture. Sure, I would think it could go at least 5,000 miles even though it looks dirty. I've used Mobil 1 in my current 00 LS400 from 38,000 miles and am now nearing 100,000 miles. I just now went to my garage to check how the Mobil 1 looks after 4,900 miles; it is only slightly darker than when it went it came out of the bottles. I change the oil and filter ever 5,000 miles even though I know it safely go far, far longer.

Regarding the oil filter, I've never found a reason to use anything other than a Toyota/Lexus filter. I buy OEM Toyota oil filters by the 10-pack from a local Toyota dealer (Toyota and Lexus V8 engines use the same filter). The last two 10-packs have cost $40 each including 10 oil plug gaskets. Doing the math, a ten pack of filters lasts 50,000 miles so I guess I have bought about five 10-packs over the past 18+ years and 250,000 miles driving LS400 cars.

Last Dec I bought a 2002 LS 430 that had 53,000 miles...wonderful car as I was coming out of a 01 Yukon.

In my last oil change I went to Mobil 1 5W-30 and a Mobil 1 filter. As I checked my oil over the week end and with

a little over 3000 miles on this oil I find that the oil is much darker than what I'm used to...Overall that's not a bad thing

in that the oil is doing it's job.

In another part of the forum I read comments about using only a factory Lexus/Toyota oil filter. Is there that big of difference in Lexus factory parts versus a very good OEM filter? The color of Mobil 1 in the Lexus is much darker at 3000 miles than what I experienced in the 5.3L Yukon.....Does anyone else have a similar observation? No reason to think I can't get 5000 miles on this oil change...is there?

Any experienced Lexus comments welcome?

GP Kelly

Cypress TX

Speed rating on the tires is not the total consideration. Yes you likely won't drive 118 MPH for extended periods.

The 2002 LS 430 I just bought, my first Lexus after many years of MB, has Bridgestone Turanza's that are H rated. H rated tires are the minimum rated tires I would use. An H rated tire gives you better sidewall strength and with the performance capabilities of a LS 400 or 430 that's a factor....Z rated tires are too expensive and nothing more than high priced erasers on your car. These Bridgestones are very noisy....MXV4 are great tires but pricey...check out the new version of Michelin's

XGT Pilot tire..now called something else..They are H rated...priced well...and they perform very well....I have a set on my E300 diesel