i'm going for my first oil change. i called my local lexus dealership and i
was quoted $55. is that a fair price? how much do you pay? normally i do
my own oil changes.. should i just do that? how many quarts of oil do i need
and what kind is best? also, what oil filter should i use?

 

That's sound about right for N.Y. Here in Atlanta is around $38.00+car wash. I think it's depending on the area, you can compare this to the gas price, in Atlanta premium unleaded is $1.56/gallon. I bet in N.Y is over $2.00.
On your GS400 it take about 5.8 qts and I recommend to use Lexus oil filter. I know a lot of member here use Mobil 1, but you can't go wrong with Castrol or another brand name oil either.

 

that is about the same in MA, too. A little higher if you go with synthetic.
if I have the dealership do it, then I schedule it for Sat. mornings, this way I make it up on their Sat. morning buffet. Usually I do the o&f changes myself.
The car washed and vacuumed helps ease the mind too cause I hate doing it.

steviej

 

Yup. that's what I pay for an oil change here in Bay area, ca.

 

I don't go to the dealership for my oil changes but that's what it costs me for changing the oil with Mobil 1.

 

Straight6,

Do your own oil change. It takes up maybe at most 2 hours of your time. I go to Costco to buy a 6 pack of Mobil 1 5W30 for $24. I used 5 quarts when I did my own oil change yesterday. Go to your local Toyota dealer to get an oil filter or buy it online at www.irontoad.com

Do it right...do it yourself

 

thanks for all the replies, i think i'll do it myself and save some $$..

 

I agree do it yourself. I got everything at the local Wal-Mart I think I paid $18 for a 5 quart bottle of Mobil 1 synthetic and the oil filter was under $3.00

-chris

 

Is there anything challenging about changing Oil on an SC400?

I do it myself on my miata with ramps but doubt there is enough clearance on SC400.

Do you use jack stands or??
Anything else tricky or worth noting?
Thank you
John

 

You can get ramp clearance by placing some wood planks ("pre-ramps") in front of the ramps to lift the SC high enough so the air dam clears the ramps. For a photo, see my post in this thread:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=53642

There is a large, dirty plastic panel that has to come off first to get access to the underside of the engine.

Other than that, it is a conventional oil change.

 

Doing it yourself insures you know what oil and filters are in the car.