I'm thinking about doing the oil change and filter change myself if the instructions do not prove to be difficult.

I think the oil rating the LS400 1994 needs is 10-40.
I have no idea what kind of filter it needs.

Does someone know if I can obtain all the parts I need to do my own oil change from an auto-parts store or Wal Mart?

 

All what parts? All you need is fresh oil (10-40 is fine) , a new oil filter and maybe a new washer on your oil drain plug to prevent dripping. Don't forget the wrench I recommend using a Toyota filter or a WIX filter (#51348) available at NAPA auto parts. If your using regular oil not synthetic use Mobil and you'll be fine.

Very simple to do by yourself.
Do you need detailed instructions on how to actually do it?

 

Doesn't seem that hard so far. New oil, new filter, and a new washer and you said that I can find it pretty much at NAPA auto parts stores. I'll start looking for the closest stores tomorrow after school.

How exactly do you change the oil? From the bottom of the car or top? I know I have to drain it first but that's about it.

 

From beneath the car not from the engine bay, you only fill from the top. First unscrew the oil cap on the valve cover before climbing underneath the car so the oil drains out better.
Your car takes five and half quarts I believe.

******Make sure to recycle the old oil & filter by bringing it to Walmart or any place that takes used oil.....PLEASE DON"T DISPOSE OF IT IN THE GARBAGE OR IN A SEWER OR DRAIN SINCE IT"S HAZARDOUS WASTE and a crime!!!!

Now, since changing oil is pretty much the same on all cars just read this link and you should be fine.
http://www.acdelco.com/html/rp_oil_main.htm

Hope that helps and let us know how you made out when your done.

 

Sharp, LOVE the pic of John Kerry!! lmao! Excellent pic at the bottom where your signiture is too! I hope they get re-elected....I've got a Bush / Cheney sticker on my window & I'm Canadian

 

Simple. Let car cool, drain oil, replace oil plug, move drain pan to oil filter area, unscrew filter, prep new oil filter seal by taking a dab of old oil on finger and wet new filter rubber seal, screw on, pull drain pan after letting all dripping finish, pour 1 gallon of mobil 1 in, check for leaks, start car and let run for 30 seconds. Stop car, check oil level, add if necessary rest of the jug of mobil 1 or however is needed, shut hood and pour used oil into mobil 1 jug. Reset secondary odometer. Take used oil to a station, Walmart, etc. Filter should run you $10 from the dealer. Oil $20 from Walmart. Peace of mind... Priceless.

 

what?? you want to do it when the oil is farily warm, i would say pop the hood (to help cool adown enough for you to touch) and wait about 15 minutes, then drain, gets more of the oil out as its thinner when warm.

 

Oil Changing Instructions for Women:

1) Pull up to Jiffy Lube when the mileage reaches 3,000 since the last oil
change.

2) Drink a cup of coffee.

3) 15 minutes later, write a check and leave with a properly maintained
vehicle.


Money spent: $20.00 for oil change
$1.00 for coffee
____________________
Total = $21.00

Oil Change instructions for Men:

1) Go to O'Reilly's auto parts and write a check for $50.00 for oil, filter,
kitty litter, hand cleaner, and a scented tree.

2) Discover that the used oil container is full. Instead of taking it back
to O'Reilly's to recycle, dump in hole in back yard.

3) Open a beer and drink it.

4) Jack car up. Spend 30 minutes looking for jack stands.

5) Find jack stands under kid's pedal car.

6) In frustration, open another beer and drink it.

7) Place drain pan under engine.

8) Look for 9/16 box-end wrench.

9) Give up and use crescent wrench.

10) Unscrew drain plug.

11) Drop drain plug in pan of hot oil. Spill hot oil on self in process.

12) Clean up mess.

13) Have another beer while watching oil drain.

14) Look for oil filter wrench.

15) Give up; poke oil filter with screwdriver and twist off.

16) Beer.

17) Buddy shows up; finish case of beer with him. Finish oil change
tomorrow.

18) Next day, drag pan full of old oil out from underneath car.

19) Throw kitty litter on oil spilled during step 18.

20) Beer. No, drank it all yesterday.

21) Walk to 7-Eleven; buy beer.

22) Install new oil filter making sure to apply a thin coat of oil to gasket
surface.

23) Dump first quart of fresh oil into engine.

24) Remember drain plug from step 11.

25) Hurry to find drain plug in drain pan.

26) Discover that the used oil is buried in a hole in the backyard, along
with drain plug.

27) Drink beer.

28) Uncover hole and sift for drain plug.

29) Discover that the first quart of fresh oil is now on the floor.

30) Drink beer.

31) Slip with wrench tightening drain plug and bang knuckles on frame.

32) Bang head on floorboards in reaction to step 31.

33) Begin cussing fit.

34) Throw wrench.

35) Beer.

36) Clean up hands and forehead and bandage as required to stop blood flow.

37) Beer.

38) Beer.

39) Dump in five fresh quarts of oil.

40) Beer.

41) Lower car from jack stands.

42) Accidentally crush one of the jack stands.

43) Move car back to apply more kitty litter to fresh oil spilled during
step 23.

44) Beer.

45) Test-drive car.

46) Get pulled over: arrested for driving under the influence.

47) Car gets impounded.

48) Make bail: Get car from impound yard.


Money spent:
$50.00 parts
$25.00 beer
$75.00 replacement set of jack stands: Hey, the colors have to match!!!
$1,000.00 bail
$200.00 impound and towing fee
______________
Total = $ 1,350.0

 

For the LS400, i recommend 10W-30 and a Toyota 90915-20004/90915-YZZD3/90915-YZZB5 filter, Purolator, Wix, and SuperTech will also work.

 

Well, when I meant cool I mean let sit for like you said, 15 minutes. Hot oil is no fun. Also, it allows the car to drain old oil to pan. Also, a cool car means less of a chance to strip the oil plug and the oil filter to cool. Rubber gasket on the filter will also shrink, so you have a looser fit on trying to get the thing off.

 

LOL!!!