My 2017 RX with 59,000 miles is coming up on 8 years old. Was looking to have a drain and fill for trans and coolant along with brake fluid, differential fluid, and oil change. Can’t imagine what the dealer would charge for all this. The car care nut says to use Toyota fluids except for the brake fluid. My local tire shop says they use Mobil 1 for trans, differential, and oil. Thought I heard that Mobil 1 makes the Toyota fluids. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

 

I've used Amsoil transmission fluid for years in my car and i did the drain and fill 4 times. Nice and buttery smooth shifts. For coolant I use Aisin from RockAuto.

https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-a...ode-2gr-fks-2/

 

I have used Valvoline MaxLife Multi-Vehicle (ATF) Full Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid in multiple Lexus vehicles without issues:

• Drove 2 of the vehicles 100k-110k miles after switching to Valvoline ATF and did 'drain & fills' about every 30k miles
• I have driven the current one about 45k miles on Valvoline ATF - again, doing 'drain & fills' about every 30k miles

I wish these vehicles had an ATF dipstick, but after you do it a few times, it is not bad ........ just takes longer than if there was a dipstick.

 

This is what I use:

Engine: Valvoline Restore and Protect
Transmission: Toyota WS
Transfer Case/Differential: Valvoline Synthetic 75W-90
Coolant: Toyota
Brake Fluid: Any DOT 3

 

I used all OEM fluid

 

I use OEM fluids. But I am changing the oil viscosity to 5w-30.

I used OEM fluids in my BMW and it has 344k miles on it.

 

Engine: Pennzoil Ultra Platinum (or Platinum) Full Synthetic
Transmission: Toyota WS
Transfer Case/Differential: RedLine 75W-85
Coolant: Toyota SLL
Brake Fluid: Any DOT 3

 

Same here. I've been using 5W30 since new.

 

Did your RX ever kick an engine code with the heavier oil? Also, are you located in a very warm environment? Just curious.

 

That is a myth. I was once naive and had always followed the oil grade on the oil cap. After researching on bobistheoilguy.com/forums - it has taught me a lot.

Obviously, some people would swear using the oil grade on the oil cap. I am not here to debate about it.

But to sum it up - running slightly thicker oil than recommend gives the piston rings better head room cushion. Just think of a bike helmet, would a thicker pad helmet protect your head better than a thinner pad helmet?

Only reason why the Engineers lowered the viscosity is to impress the CAFE requirements to gain a fraction of the fuel economy. I will take better protection instead.

I am from the east coast and this winter was about 12 F coldest and it starts fine. A 5W30 grade oil can handle all the way down to -20 F.

 

The same engine is used in multiple different vehicles and with varying ranges of viscosity.

 

yes I know, just wondering if anyone saw any ill effect or code from RX from making the change.

These cafe and emission rules just add confusion. Owners manual says that you can use 5W-20 if 0W-20 is not available, but "must be replaced with 0W-20 at the next oil change". Makes it sound like impending disaster.