hey guys,

Don't flame me, but how do you know when to change the oil filter???
thanks

 

The oil filter should be changed every time you change your oil (every 3,000-5,000 miles). It's included in the cost of an oil change at the dealer, and most other lube places.

 

I purchased my car back in december. My personal mechanic did a major tuneup for me and changed many things such as the timing, fan belt.. He did change the oil as I was the one who purchased a red oil made by prestone. I really don't think the oil filter was changed. Is there a way to check because I want to make sure it hasn't gone bad. thanks

 

just go get an oil change! if it was december, it's a good idea to get one now (april) anyway, regardless of mileage. maybe you should mark your oil filter after every change to see if its been changed or not, different mark every time of course.

 

DTPstyle,
Red oil? Made by prestone? Sounds like anti-freeze not your oil. If your mechanic flushed your system and put new prestone antifreeze in you are OK on coolant for 24k miles/24months but your OIL should be changed every 3,000miles or 3 months whichever comes first.

 

My mechanic put an oil that lasts 7,000 miles which was red/orange colored.

 

hopefully your mechanic knows enough to replace the oil filter with every oil change. If not, then it is time to change your mechanic.

 

I never heard of engine oil that is red or orange in color and made by Prestone? I think your confusing what you bought which was Prestone Extended Life 5/150 Antifreeze/Coolant Antifreeze and NOT PRESTONE OIL because they don't make any such product according to there website. http://www.prestone.com/

Prestone products:

Prestone® Heavy Duty Antifreeze/ Coolant
Prestone® Quick Fill
Prestone® RV Antifreeze Provides Exceptional Protection for Winterizing Water Systems
Prestone® LowTox® Antifreeze/Coolant
Prestone® Extended Life 5/150 Antifreeze/Coolant
Prestone® Antifreeze/Coolant - #1 in the U.S.
Prestone® Super Radiator Stop Leak
Prestone® Stops Leaks
Prestone® Super Anti-Rust
Prestone® Super Sealer
Prestone® Super Radiator Cleaner
Prestone® Super Flush
Prestone® Cooling System Treatment: Easy Pour-In Protection
Prestone® Bug Wash® Windshield Cleaner
Prestone® Windshield Melt® De-Icer Concentrated Additive
Prestone® Windshield De-Icer Washer Fluid
Prestone® Starting Fluid
Prestone® Spray De-Icer
Prestone® Windshield Melt® De-Icer Concentrated Additive
Prestone® Windshield De-Icer Washer Fluid
Prestone® Belt Dressing
Prestone® Silicone Lubricant
Prestone® Heavy Duty Brake Parts Cleaner
Prestone® Heavy Duty Engine Degreaser
Prestone® Automatic Transmission Fluid Plus Stop Leak
Prestone® Power Steering Fluid and Stop Leak
Prestone® Power Steering Fluid
Prestone® DOT4 Brake Fluid
Prestone® Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
Prestone® Hi-Temp Brake Fluid
Prestone® SUV Fuel Injector Cleaner
Prestone® Diesel Fuel Treatment
Prestone® Synthetic Fuel Injector Cleaner with 0 to 60® Technology
Prestone® Fuel System Cleaner
Prestone® 0 To 60® Booster
Prestone® Cold Start™ Fuel System Antifreeze and Cleaner
Prestone® Fuel Injector Cleaner
Prestone® Gas Treatment
Prestone® Tire Jack® Tire Inflator and Sealer
Prestone® Wheel Cleaner
Prestone® Tire Shine
Prestone® Car Wash
Prestone® High Protection Wax
Automotive Strength Prestone® Stain Remover
Prestone® Interior Cleaner
Prestone® Bug & Tar Remover
Prestone® Streak-Free Glass Cleaner
Genetron® 134a+UV
Genetron® 134a

 

lol. yeah I was wrong, Thats the stuff my mechanic put in there!! Good job finding the pic! I found out from him that he definitely changed the oil filter because thats how its supposed to be with an oil change.

 

i don't mean to worry you here, and i'm sure you mech did change the filter (why wouldn't he?), but!!!! even mechanics that somehow DON'T change your filter but charge you for it will tell you that THEY CHANGED THE FILTER!! so to avoid the worries, next time, MARK the visible part of your filter with some sort of marking w/ a permanent marker!!

 

DTPstyle,
Or instead of marking the filter, invest in some tools and change the oil yourself??? That way you KNOW EXACTLY what is done what is not and the quality of the filter/oil used. In the long run the money you save from doing the oil change yourself will more then pay for your investment in tools and you get the satisfaction and knowledge that everything is done right.

Dealers and those "jiffy-lube" places use recycled bulk oil, not exactly quality stuff. And if you request mobile 1 it's ~$70 or more. Do it yourself with Mobile 1 and OEM filter for ~$30 and 30 minutes of your time.

 

My mechanic is a friend of my dad. He does things and shows me what he does. I trust him over any mechanic as he does not make money off of me. I pay him for labor and thats it...

 

a lot of folks say, modern oil has detergents and additives that keep everything in suspension, the filter doesn't trap that much, so you don't have to change it every time you change the oil - well, it DOES hold about 3/4 of a quart of DIRTY OIL so CHANGE IT every time!

 

Some manufacturers (i.e. Audi) recommend changing the filter every other oil change (15,000 miles). While I have full faith in Audi engineers, somehow I question the wisdom of scrimping over a few bucks to get the most out of the filter...compared to the price of an engine, an oil filter is insignificant. Motor oil does keep dirt and other contaminants in suspension so that the filter can remove it...filters do trap a lot of crud, and should be changed regularly. If the filtering medium becomes clogged, a by-pass valve will sense the pressure differential and open, therey allowing oil to circumvent the filter and lubricate the engine (with unfiltered oil) Best advice is to use a high quality filter and change it with every oil change.


Ed, please do not advertise on ClubLexus without prior approval from the site administrator.

 

I change the oil filter every time that I change the engine oil. The OEM Lexus filter is about $10 and non-Lexus filters are as low as $3.