Not an interesting topic but just looking to verify with a couple fellow owners. I just got a 2004 this is only my second car and first I'm totally responsible for. I know synthetic is ideal and I know you can find someone to change it out for a lot cheaper if you bring them the oil. Am I just gonna need a 5qt+1qt and a filter? Would the Castrol GTX MAGNATEC 5W-30 Full Synthetic Motor Oil be good? Anything else I need to know?

 

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...iy-thread.html

 

Castrol is ok, but imho not even close in quality to let’s say Pennzoil or Amsoil. My advice is 5w30 Pennzoil Ultra Platinum together with widely recommended Wix filter. Taking extra quart is a good idea to balance the final level in the engine. How is car performing overall?

 

Run about 1/2 quart of MMO in the oil for a few hundred miles before you change the oil and 100% safe. Great at cleaning out carbon build up. Mobile 1 Extended Performance is also great oil.

 

*MMO = Marvel Mystery Oil

http://www.marvelmysteryoil.com/

 

When I did my first change, I bought 5+1 quarts of Mobil1. Ended up only using the 5, even with the filter. I read somewhere that you should refill about 4.5 quarts and then use the dipstick to add up to the max fill. Mine was full before I finished the 5 quart jug.

Edit: And it is still full as of earlier this week.

 

Its funny how I find a variable at some oil changes with the 5 quart jug and the oil level when completed. Possibly it might have to do with how level the lift is or how long they drain the oil? My most recent oil change (last week) I was standing there during the drain and refill. All the oil was drained until the pan was dripping. The entire jug of Mobile 1 High Mileage was poured in and initially it looked like it was shy a number of ounces. The next morning when checking it was ever so slightly under the full mark. I added maybe 2-3 ounces to bring to full. Other times when I'm not standing there, they sometimes overfill probably because they don't drain all the oil out. I'm very particular. Another annoyance I have is when the tech loses my bolts for the undercarriage cover. I currently am using a plastic aftermarket cover as my original got destroyed and is insanely expensive to replace through the dealer. My latest thing is to use all oversized screws (same size) so that they fit snug into the plastic retainers. It's not possible to get them completely tight nor is it necessary as it is only securing a plastic cover.

 

I found a huge difference between jacking the vehicle in the pass side v. driver side. If on pass side less comes out.