hcfarm

hi folks,
I am new to forum and Lexus, I just bought a 1999 Lexus Rx300 with 191,000 miles. The previous owner babied this car and it looks brand new. She stayed with the maintenane schedule and had very few problems..I do not live in her area to use the shop she used for oil changes and regular routine maintence and will be doing it myself.

What is the oil brand and weight, I live in the deep south,that you would recommend?
What type oil filter?
how often should I change oil?
should I use any additives?

any suggestions to any maintence items that I should perform at this high of mileage..this unit runs sweet and I would like to keep it that way for as long as I can..
I am also interested in getting a scanner to read my codes, which brand would be recommeded?

thanks for your input..
jon

ryanSC300lover

iTrader: (1)

Why not look through the paperwork and see what she was using. Because at that mileage, whatever she is using of course is working

I use 10w30 in the South and 5w30 when I am in colder climates.

I use OEM oil filter.

I change every 4K miles, since my car sees only highway miles. Depends on where/how you drive.

Read the owners manual

See if you can find what maintenance has been done so far, and then it would be something we could tell you after.

Good luck, and congrats on the purchase.

lexus114

What is the oil brand and weight, I live in the deep south,that you would recommend?
What type oil filter?
how often should I change oil?
should I use any additives?

1)A lot of us here really like the German Castrol 0W-30 full synthetic
2)Personally I like Wix filters,but the k&n filter is very good too
3)Change every 5k w/full synthetic oil. Every 3k with conventional motor oil.
4)DO NOT USE OIL ADDITIVES!! Its Not necessary what so ever.Today`s oil does not need help w/additives

**BTW don`t let the 0W-30 viscosity fool you. It is closer to a 40 weight motor oil. Hence the European formula Bmw,Mercedes VW etc.

Lexmex

Welcome to the Club

lexus114 echoed my sentiments on the oil.

I will say that one item that I personally care about more than oil, in fact more than anything wiht my RX300 is the state of the transmission fluid. We have a very nice sticky done by TunedRX300 that you will find at the top of the forum on how to do this. I personally recommend switching to Amsoil ATF for the fluid, especially at that high mileage. I would also try to verify immediately when the last transmission fluid change was done. Let us know if you have any questions on this.

For a scanner, my Actron Pocket Scanner CP9125 is what I would recommend. We go over the codes in this forum to help you locate the area where the problem could be and possibly what to do.

jcjr

I know we have discussed this before but I was concerned about using synthetic oil in my high mileage RX.....

After much thought I have used dino oil...

I totally agree with Lexmex om the transmission fluid issue..

Good Luck with your new car!!

hcfarm

thank you for such prompt comments. this is a very good site for help, I have a lot of research to do, I see. you have eased my mind and given me a good start of where to begin..

jon

icantsee

Oil Filter: Toyota OEM - 90915-YZZD1
Motor Oil: 5w30



Oil Filter
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showth...threadid=26059

Which Oil Filter Do You Use?
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showth...threadid=20182

Engine Oil Filter Study
http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html

via Koz

hcfarm

I am waiting on the reply from previous owner on the transmission drain date. checked the level today and the fluid is cherry red. that is a good sign..right?

bob2200

Right.
- Bob

lexus114

Absolutely,that is alway`s a good sign.(at least it was serviced)But these transmissions are highly affected by trans flushes,best thing to do is a drain and fill on the U140`s.They are very sensitive to any kind of dirt/debris.I think next to regular service,(15,000 miles) another preventive measure is an external oil filter for the trans. fluid.

hcfarm

thanks for this info, because I had a service shop telling me I should do the flush and I was hesitant, I think the drain and fill is the way to go. I have a 2001 ford diesel and had these done regularly and the transmission ended up failing..thank goodness it was under warranty, but since then, I am very leary of any flushes of any kind..thanks for all the info folks.. what about this external oil filter, did you install one yet?
jon

lexus114

I have not installed one (too lazy) but their is a member on here that did,and he has good results.If I were you,just drop the old fluid and put in Amsoil universal atf,or Royal Purple Max atf (both are synthetic) do a drain and fill,wait a week (to put on some miles) then do another drain and fill and you should be good to go. *BTW,both are toyota type iv approved

hcfarm

thanks for all the comments..thanks to everyone
I have reviewed,compared and will make these following changes

castrol 0w30
filter k/n hp-2009
amsoil atf
mobil 1 atf for power steering
looking into this purple ice for coolant...is anybody using this with water only? or do i need to run regular coolant? which coolant is best?
has anyone used the amsoil engine oil?


that should get me going..
I appreciate all the info, this has save me alot of time and research..

thanks lexmex for private message, it was a great help!!

lexus114

Just remember hcfarm,The German Castrol 0W-30 may be hard for you to find.Try your local Auto-Zone first,if no luck Amsoil,Pennzoil Platnum or Royal Purple will work very well too.

Lexmex

Stick to 50% Toyota Red Coolant and 50% water or if you can find it 100% Toyota Pink Coolant (which is premixed with water). At high altitude, many remember I used a vastly different mix than this for different reasons.