fkbr

My ES350-2010 requires oil change every 5K miles. "Requires" means that the display (simple, not LCD), which normally shows various data (temperature, miles etc) shows only "oil change required" and cannot be switched to a different mode. Questions:
- does the vehicle really need oil change once in 5K miles?
- is it possible to reset the screen so that it shows normal data
- can I hope that non-dealership shops would change the oil and reset the screen (dealership seems too expensive)?
- is there a danger of voiding the manufacturer's warranty?

oldgrump

Resetting the display for "oil change required" is explained in your Owner's Manual under "Oil"........"Engine oil". In theory, to protect your warranty coverage the ES 350 does still require oil changes at 5000 mile intervals. So far this still applies even when using synthetic oil. Toyota/Lexus has approved some vehicles for a 10,000 mile interval when using mandatory 0w-20 synthetic oil, but NOT the ES 350 at this point. http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&...6QCwU75c-vbbjQ

garsarno

My driving goes by time so I usually change it for every season with Mobil 1. Just got my 2011 on 10/14 and only turned 2,000 miles yesterday.

ESSY

Take it to a Toyota dealership see if that's not less expensive. I drive about 30K a year for work, plan on using a local Toyota dealership since the Lexus dealer is near an hour away. The Lexus place said that was fine for oil changes etc.... The warranty work or maybe 30K service should be done at Lexus, makes it easier if you ever were to have a major warranty issue.

I was paying about 65.00 for full synthetic oil changes and tire rotation every 5K miles on the Toyota I traded for the Lexus. Oil changes are cheap insurance.

You'll get no loaner, no nice lounge, etc... at the Toyota dealership. Your car will come back as clean or dirty as when it went in for service.

dreyfus

"Need" is perhaps too strong a term, but it is the manufacturer's recommendation. I'd stick with it, more or less.

It's in the owner's manual. Hold the trip odometer set on A in while starting IG-ON mode. Hold it for a few seconds and it will reset.

They should be able to do so with no problem. The Lexus dealers are expensive. Toyota dealers only a little bit less so.

No. It is illegal for automakers to require you to use their dealerships to keep the warranty.

I've always done all my routine maintenance. With 113,200 miles on my '07 I've saved a lot of money doing it myself.

tolian21

can someone explain to me why they use outdated 5K mark for oil changes? Most cars now have smart system that tells you when to change oil based on your driving habits.

LexBob2

I can't answer your question but I wouldn't be suprised if the intervals are extended with the next generation ES. Competition will motivate Toyota/Lexus to make the change, just like the ES350 being re-rated for regular fuel.

tolian21

yeah, that's outdated, Acura has MID since like 2006... its not just fixed 5K interval, it changes depending on time and how you drive.

SUNUK

I too i'm finding it difficult to change my oil every 5000 miles. I basically do about 200 miles per day highway driving at this rate i would have to change my oil every month.. that just doesn't make sense to me. can someone provide some real facts about oil change? and not the excuse of my grandfather changed at 3000 miles so ill continue the tradition.

jkayca

https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/tip...-your-oil.html

Note that you can get a longer interval by switching to a synthetic if you haven't already done so.

lgb0250

Well, since this forum is for those that own 2007-2012 models I'm not sure any of those models have the smart system. I know my 2010 doesn't.

i still get mine changed at 5K and mine is almost 8 yrs old with still only 48K on it. With a smart system it would give me a much more frequent change time other than 5K because "they say" that short duration drives require more frequent changing of your oil. I say bull. My car is still in great shape and has never been back to the dealership for any reason.

hisstojay

Good. You must really cared so much for your car

jagtoes

Being this is such a subjective topic if you really want to make your own determination as to when you should change just do this simple evaluation. Take the oil brand that you use and have it tested when it is new. Then do an oil change and at 5000 miles have it tested again. Note drain some out of the filter. Then do another test at 7500 and 10000 miles. Evaluate the change in the oil test results and then decide on when YOU want to change the oil. So oil gets contaminated and the various "packages " for viscosity and detergents break down.

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

While could probably go longer, we do every 5k, or once a year on regular 5w-30. 5K intervals are just easier and i know its odd, but I like seeing service every 5k rather than every 7.5k. Our GS350 calls for a service every 10k on synthetic 0w-30, and I'm sure it could easily do that, but based on how long we keep our cars, usually 10 years or more, we will likely change every 5k on that car as well.

tolian21

If you use synthetic oil, I see no issues changing oil every 7-10k miles or once a year (whichever comes first).
I use mobil1 extended performance which says its good for 15k miles. I would still change it around 7-8k.