So... I'm a new owner of a '98 GS300. There was only 1 owner before me and his family kept it as a luxury car, so I lucked out in getting it with less than 80k mileage.

However, I'm pretty much a newbie when it comes to all questions cars, so I've been advised to join the forum because y'all have some amazing answers, tips, and tricks. =]

I've taken it in for an oil change a couple weeks ago and not sure of what to get, I went with the Pennzoil synthetic blend and their filter. [I like the quick service at that shop and I don't normally have the time to do it myself] However, I would like to make better decisions about the oil that I'm putting in, so I'd like some advice about that.

- Type of oil? [and weight]
- Type of filter?
- Does it depend on my mileage? [currently ~80k]

Also, how often should I change my transmission fluid?

And lastly, are there any simple performance mods that I should make? I'm pretty sure the previous owner didn't do any except for maintenance.

Any help and tips are greatly appreciated! =]

 

I believe the GS300 takes 5W-30.

I use an OEM Toyota oil filter.

As for the transmission fluid, if it's never been replaced before, I'd go ahead and do it. If you know the car has never had a tranny flush in the past, DON'T flush it. Do a drain and fill of Toyota Type IV.

 

great pickup. welcome. lots of answers in the DIY section

 

Most oil and filter recommendations are going to be based mostly on what people have been told to use themselves or what they prefer, not facts. In reality as long as you use a quality oil of the correct viscosity rating and a quality oil filter the specific brands do not matter.

Any performance gains you would get from high end oils and over priced filters would be lost on a stock car that is not being raced. If Lexus felt the car needed some super high end oil they would have called for it as many new high performance vehicles do. Oil choice is not millage dependent. Also you can switch to and from conventional and synthetic any time without issue.

Mobil 1, Pennzoil, etc. is fine for oil. - I use Mobil 1 synthetic most of the time.

OE (Toyota), Fram, etc for the filter is fine. - I use Fram most of the time.

As for the transmission I agree with ThomasGS4.




Welcome and nice find by the way.

 

Thanks all for the answers. From what I'm hearing, definitely go with the synthetic and Toyota/Fram works. What I was doing with the previous car [Avalon '99] was just taking it to Pennzoil and letting them use their filters and oil. I'll probably end up buying the oil and filter myself and paying them for the labor.

In terms of the performance mods, they're not related to oil, just in general for a regular commuter who wants to feel like she's got something a little better than most on the street =P When it comes to all of the specifics, I'm a super newb!