sf3r8z

Recently i took my 2008 es 350 to a garage that bills itself as a toyota specialist. I have used their service before for this work with good resusts. This time was different, however. I purchased 7 quarts of 5w-30 full synthetic oil and a wix filter in advance of my appointment as i always had done. When the job was finished i was surprised to see that one of the quarts that i brought was not used at all. When i questioned the mechanic about it, he said that 6 quarts was all he was able to put in and that the dip stick showed full. Out of options and needing to leave, i returned home and checked the dip stick. Sure enough, it registers full.

Now when i was somewhat younger and not physically handicapped, i did this work myself. To do so, i had to buy a special wrench to remove the canister that the oil filter element fits in. So i know how to do the job properly. The reason the mechanic only used only 6 quarts of oil instead of the 6.4 quarts called for in the owners manual is, most likely, because he did not change the filter. I'm guessing that the filter holds around a pint or less of oil and, therefore, without changing the it, he would need to add only 6 quarts. Even so, he did'nt return the filter i bought.

Assuming the above is true, i think that i should take my lexus to another garage and ask them to install another filter. What do you think?

nevernu

i would go back to the garage and ask the svc manager if a new wix filter is indeed on the vehicle

but this thread seems to indicate that 6qts or so is the norm

mlacomb

I have changed the oil and filter myself many times; 6 quarts will bring it back to full (the other .4 are lying in the pan/engine unfortunately.)

12jimmyjam

Same here. About 6 quarts even with the last oil and filter change.

sf3r8z

I don't know how to account for your experience. I only know that the manual says 6.4 quarts with a filter change. Why would the manual say 6.4 if it only needs 6. Doesn't make sense. As I said previously, other oil and filter changes required the 6.4 quarts and this question never came up. I can see where someone in a hurry to get the job done might put the drain bolt back before the last 0.4 oz. drained out.

oldgrump

sf3r8z........you brought this same issue up over a year ago and several people (including myself) that had accomplished one or more oil changes supplied you with the same answers that you are seeing now. Just accept the fact that the amount of oil that is actually drained will vary (for various reasons), is not an exact process, and therefore the amount of oil needed to bring the oil level up to the Full mark on the dipstick can vary as well. Even checking the oil level is not an exact process. So.......if it took 6 or more U.S. qts. to bring the oil level up to the Full mark on the dipstick after an oil change (after driving the car and rechecking the dipstick), then that can be considered to be normal for your ES350. You are getting your knickers twisted for absolutely no reason. AND.......I certainly hope that you are not jerking our chains!

nevernu

LOL I knew I had seen this thread before!!!!

jagtoes

Mine usually takes 6.138 qts after an oil and filter change.

John U

I guess a guy could pressurize the motor and "blow out" that .4 of swill.

ESh

This is it.

sf3r8z

When i used to change the oil and filter in this car myself, i followed the instructions in the manual to the letter. I thought it mattered. I guess not so much.

mlacomb

The big deal here is that once done with the oil change, car level and off for around 5 minutes - oil level is between the dots on the dipstick. Honestly, with a full 6 quarts I've not had it be off - usually it's right inbetween the lines somewhere. The extra .4 quarts won't hurt, but for me I don't need to buy 7 quarts for an oil change, only 6. At that point, if it's between the lines no harm done.

TLPLEXUS

Just for your information. I had my mechanic change my oil a few times while i watch. Long story short, 7 quarts on my car will surpass the full mark (a lil too much). On my car, it would work best if it is 6.4 quart to be exact. however, it all depends on how long the tech let your car drain. Most places don't let it sit for 10 minutes for the engine to completely drain out. So in those cases, 6 quarts might be enough since there is residual oil in there.

When i do my own oil changes on my 4runner, time is not a constraint so i usually let it drain until it is completely empty. It will use a little more oil.

One more thing, usually any shops (minus the shaddy ones) will always remember to replace the filter. Did you call the guy to confirm?

jfall

I would say I used around 6.2 after letting it drain for a good while.

Kind of hard to see the exact level on the dip stick - kind of just a general range....

Got the car used so this was my first oil change with it.

Nutsplats

I'm a technition at a Midas and I do plenty of oil changes. I also own a 2009 ES 350 and obviously change my own oil. The car takes 6.4 quarts with filter change. If some shady mechanic only put in 6 quarts and it registered full on the stick then he did not change the filter.