2019 GX460 (1 UR FE) 60k mi; various oils in multiple UOAs

[sds911]

2/2024 - Oil Change on GX 460. Manual calls for 0w20 or 5w20. Owner’s manual in non US Markets allow higher grades.

This run used 5 qts Castrol GTX 5w20 with 3 qts Castrol Edge Euro 5w40 on hand in garage that I probably bought for the 911. But, the GX is getting 3qts per oci instead. Approximate 7,000 mile run since last UOA. Filter used this time - Toyota/Lexus OEM cartridge.

First switch to Cat Lab for UOA on GX460. Prior Blackstone lab report included below for comparison purposes and trends.

Looking forward to your comments.

 

[sds911]

Prior Blackstone UOAs on GX460 for comparison purposes.

 

[sds911]

4/2024 - 2019 GX 460. Approximately 5k run on ST Advanced 5w30 (5qts) and Castrol Edge Euro 5w40 (3qts). Used Fram Ultra 20k cartridge filter b/c I hate lowering the skid plates on the GX to access the oil filter.

Cat lab 2nd UOA for the GX. For some reason Cat Labs isn’t putting in the correct oil brands and viscosities on my 5qt/3qt blends. Might have to call and have updated since fuel dilution reporting is based on if oil viscosity remains in grade at end of run/sample date.

I think wear metals look good. Have to compare viscosity with my prior UOAs.

Enjoy!

 

[4WD]

Mixing those lubes has destroyed the engine

 

[sds911]

8/2024 - 2019 GX 460. This OCI used 5 qts ST Advanced (20k rated) 5w30 and 3qts Castrol Edge Euro 5w40. Changed in hot weather in TX b4 move to CO. Trying to stick to 5k changes, don’t have exact miles of this change, but at least 4k miles minimum. Did not change filter - still running Fram Ultra from last OCI - 20k rated cartridge filter.

Cat labs 3rd UOA. Too bad they don’t show trends and prior UOA results like Blackstone. Might have to do my own spreadsheet…for ease of comparison.

Looking forward to any comments.

 

[sds911]

Yeah. Right. Just using up 10qts of the Castrol Euro 5w40 originally purchased for my 911. Had it in garage and didn’t feel like spending on more ST. Also, used 3qts of the 5w40 on several OCIs to up viscosity in GX460 due to fuel dilution on one prior report.

Engine still going strong, thanks!

 

[fantastic]

I think the lab is simply putting in one or the other. They've done that on mine before as well. But you'd think they can just add that in there. Trying to get labs to update information has been difficult through emails so I'd call them instead.

 

[fantastic]

Looks good, I do Google sheets for all of my UOA equipment.

 

[sds911]

ST Advanced 5w30 (5qts) and ST Advanced 5w30 HM (3qts)

1/2025 - 2019 GX 460 - This run a combo of 5 qts ST Advanced 5w30 (5qts) and 3qts ST Advanced 5w30 HM. Didn’t intend to get the HM, but either Wallymart didn’t have an extra 5qt of non HM or I grabbed wrong bottle w/o realizing.

Still running Fram Ultra cartridge from prior two OCIs. Dumped the 5w30 in January 2025 b/c of low CO winter temps. Next UOA will have ST Advanced 5qts 5w20 and 3 qts 5w30 in about 2k more miles b4 changing.

I don’t think my engine cares at all. Especially on a 5k oci. Wear metals look good to me. Ending viscosity looks better than my 0w20 runs.

Going to stick with 5w30 or 0w30 in non winter months. Next fill will be VRP 5w30 and Fram Titanium cartridge bundle $32 from AAP with $10 off coupon (x2 = $64 with 2 filters, 10qts VRP). A few more bucks than ST Advanced, but the GX deserves some extra care at 65k.

 

[sds911]

Looks good, I do Google sheets for all of my UOA equipment.

On your laptop or phone?

 

[Hohn]

Wow, this is a very impressive UOA. 6PPM total FE+AL metals in 5k miles!

I have a 2011 GX with the 1UR-FE and I think it's happy as a clam on anything from 20 grade to 40 grade. (overseas, the Prado manuals allow 40 grade Aussie heat with the same engine) I have HPL 5w30 PCMO in it now (and have since I did the first OC at 161k when I bought it) and in 7500 miles the HPL has barely darkened. That tells me it hasn't done much cleaning and there's no much crud inside the 1UR-FE to remove. The sole prior owner I think used full syn.

I'm sure you know to stay on top of coolant and trans fluid for the GX. The engine oil isn't something you need to worry about, thankfully.

 

[sds911]

Wow, this is a very impressive UOA. 6PPM total FE+AL metals in 5k miles!

I have a 2011 GX with the 1UR-FE and I think it's happy as a clam on anything from 20 grade to 40 grade. (overseas, the Prado manuals allow 40 grade Aussie heat with the same engine) I have HPL 5w30 PCMO in it now (and have since I did the first OC at 161k when I bought it) and in 7500 miles the HPL has barely darkened. That tells me it hasn't done much cleaning and there's no much crud inside the 1UR-FE to remove. The sole prior owner I think used full syn.

I'm sure you know to stay on top of coolant and trans fluid for the GX. The engine oil isn't something you need to worry about, thankfully.

I did a radiator drain and fill (1 gallon Toyota Pink SLLC), 6qts transmission drain and fill with Toyota WS and Power Steering flush with Toyota ATF (red color) all between 50k and 55k miles or so. I have 3 more qts ATF WS and may do one more d&f during next or subsequent oil change. Same with coolant d&f prob a gallon radiator d&f every 10 to 20k. Unless I can easily access the block drains. Haven’t tried yet to do the whole system. I use Phoenix coolant and brake strips to test.

Also recently did transfer case and diffs, caf, engine air filter, Powerstop z36 rotors/pads, and new Yoko G015 AT tires. Need to do brake flush next, claybar/polish/seal paint. The GX is well taken care of…

 

[fantastic]

Just keep watching the Potassium & Sodium PPM for an increase.

 

[sds911]

Just keep watching the Potassium & Sodium PPM for an increase.

Good point. They are relatively higher in this latest UOA compared with my earlier blackstone reports and the other 3 CAT UOAs.

Is that a coolant type issue, other contamination?

Cat said “N” on antifreeze though on the UOA. I just called Cat - the “N” on antifreeze means they don’t test for it…

Or maybe the ST HM has higher level? Thanks.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Looks good. But see some K in there (14ppm) . Do you have an coolant to oil oil cooler?

 

[sds911]

Looks good. But see some K in there (14ppm) . Do you have an coolant to oil oil cooler?

Looks good. But see some K in there (14ppm) . Do you have an coolant to oil oil cooler?

I don’t recall exactly how the oil cooler runs on the GX. Think the stock oil cooler is somehow integrated with cooling system. I know many on the GX forums who tow add an external oil cooler up front and Lexus actually has one I could add - that comes on some Canadian models.

I will call Cat to have them re-check. Also have an appt at dealer and will raise issue with Service Advisor.

The GX460 has known issues with coolant valley plate leak, not sure about oil cooler issue or water pump/thermostat issues either. Will check on GX forums. And The Care Care Nut just did an hour long video on GX460 issues - will watch it again.

 

[sds911]

Cat lab will re run the potassium and sodium numbers and update me. Cat says they typically flag at 24/25 ppm on Potassium. But, that’s probably for Cat equipment. Not necessarily a GX460.

Thank you all for pointing this out. Very much appreciated. Will be nice to see if the early indicator on the 60k mile UOA turns into a problem to repair b4 damage is done. Still have extended warranty in effect for a bit longer.

 

[sds911]

Well - don’t think it’s the oil based on this VOA on bitog from 2023…

 

[fantastic]

Good point. They are relatively higher in this latest UOA compared with my earlier blackstone reports and the other 3 CAT UOAs.

Is that a coolant type issue, other contamination?

Cat said “N” on antifreeze though on the UOA. I just called Cat - the “N” on antifreeze means they don’t test for it…

Or maybe the ST HM has higher level? Thanks.

Coolant but Sodium has different sources though. It's not coming from the oil.

 

[sds911]

Dropped the GX460 at dealer. Showed SA the UOA and history. My coolant overflow tank cap had pink coolant crusties. Not the first time and I had advised my TX dealership about very low coolant tank last year.

I did proactively replace coolant cap on radiator and did the radiator drain and fill. I know my level was correct then b/c I checked it over several days hot and cold. The overflow tank was 1/4 to 1/2 inch below max b4 I took it to Dealer and 10 minutes later level was over max line at temperature.

Wonder if higher elevation has any impact from sea level in TX to 6500 in CO?

Had several other issues I have to get checked also. So, hopefully they will figure it out before my warranty expires.