thinking about changing my 2000 RX oil to syntheic. I was wondering if this was a good idea.

 

Other than expense, why not? Lots of folks here are Mobil1 fans (me, too), but there are those who maintain (eloquently and well, I might add) that, as long as your oil/filter change intervals are frequent enough (given driving habits and conditions), synthetics are not worth the extra cost.

I tend to keep vehicles for quite a while and feel that, even if there is only a small advantage, that advantage will be maximized for the long term owner (me). Plus, even if it the benefit is merely a result of marketing/placebo effect, I still feel better and the peace of mind, illusory or not, counts for something. Worst case scenario, I've spent a few extra bucks. I drive (and own) a $50k car; without meaning to sound arrogant, I can (and we all can.......after all, these ain't Kias) afford it.

A well oiled motor is a happy motor.

 

My RX has almost 8000 miles and i had the dealer put Mobile1 (5w-30) in at the 5k (first) oil change. I will use it again and again...always.

 

How easy is it to change oil yourself on RX300? I do my maintenance on a Toyota Camry and a Honda Civic all the time. I read it somewhere it's not as easy as these cars. Have any of you tried before?

Are there service manuals (like Haynes, Chilton) available for RX300?


Thanks,


chanciusliu

 

How easy is it to change oil yourself on RX300? I do my maintenance on a Toyota Camry and a Honda Civic all the time. I read it somewhere it's not as easy as these cars. Have any of you tried before?


It is not difficult. But the oil filter is hard to reach, so be patience. It locates right below the engine and low behind the radiator. You need to disassemble a part (black color, look like a clock with cable) that locates behind the radiator, and then you can reach the oil filter. Good luck

Francis 99' RX

 

Francis,
Thanks for the tip. From what you described, you have to take oil filter out from below the car. Of the cars I owned, Toyota Camry is the easiest one to change oil since the oil filter is accessible from above. I will give RX300 a try and switch to synthetic oil when it's time to change oil.

Regards,

chanciusliu

 

chanciusliu

I take oil filter out from top of the car not below. Just like you did from your Camry (accessible from above).

The Oil filter is located at the middle of the engine not below(my fault).

Francis 99' RX

 

Drain oil when the engine is warm but take the filter off when the engine exhaust is cold.

Need to put rags or paper to absorb oil spill when the filter is removed.

You DO NOT need to remove anything else to remove the filter. Just tip it a bit and it DOES come out.

Torque for the drain plug is 33ft-lb 460kg-cm and change the gasket.


Note: Test that you can loosen the filter before you warm up the engine and drain oil.

DIYs Buy the Repair Manual (volume 2) from Lexus.


Salim