Recommended oil and change schedule
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 717
Likes: 357
From: Vermont
Today I took my wife's RX350 (2.4T) in for its 5,000 mile service. Talking to the Lexus dealership Service Advisor we decided it was cheaper to just do the free 10,000 mile service, which included an oil change, @ 5,000 miles and then pay for the 5,000 mile service @ 10,000 miles.. So the cabin air filter (which is changed @ the 10,0000 mile service) ended up being replaced probably too early. As has been mentioned here, changing the engine oil @ 5,000 miles is cheap "insurance", especially since I'll probably be doing future oil changes myself. While @ the dealership I picked an OEM filter and drain plug gasket (for a screaming total of $8.00). The filter exactly fit the Motive filter cap wrench linked above in this thread.
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 40
Likes: 32
From: New York
When I did my oil change at the break in period it was also clear but it was a darker brown clear color with a glitter look in it which is completely normal on the first oil change. Right now I sit at over 3k miles and the oils looks still clear and a lot less brown color after 2k miles on the current oil. In one more month(6th month) I will do an oil change and check it for glitter(tiny metal fragments)in it. \
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 40
Likes: 32
From: New York
In the old days the car manual said to wait till the RPM drops below the 1000 mark before driving off. These new cars now in the manual it actually says the car requires no warm up. I would wait to hear the engine rpm slow down. It normally takes about a min or less before driving off. For me I don’t bother because I remote start my car and it’s usually 3-5 min before I even get in so I know the oils are flowing well inside the engine before I start to drive off. Also always change oil when the car is in operating temperature. The oil will flow better at that temp when changing it.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 261
Likes: 182
From: TX
My selling dealer is about an hour away. Last week I went to a nearby Toyota dealer to get an oil change ($95), at 5K miles. I've already had the oil changed at 1K miles. Both of these were at my expense. I skipped the tire rotation as they sometimes rotate while driving, but did have them set the tire pressure to 40, with the air temperature at 100F. I noticed today that the TP was 35 with the air temperature at 70F.
At 10K miles, I'll start following the factory schedule.
At 10K miles, I'll start following the factory schedule.
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,067
Likes: 457
From: Pennsylvania
OK, for what it's worth, I took my vehicle to the dealer today for the "free" 5000 mile service (at 4800 miles). It's 8 months old. You guys spooked me into actually having the 10,000 mile service done, which means I claimed my one free oil change at 5000 miles. They also rotated the tires and changed the cabin filter. What a waste to have the cabin filter changed at 4800 miles. I should have insisted they give me the old filter part for reinstall once this new one actually does become old. I don't plan to have any regular service done at the dealer from here on out.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 1,246
Likes: 459
From: NY
I didn't know they would allow you to "backdate" the free 10K oil change. They didn't even offer me that option, I had the oil changed at 2K miles but it was only $139 at the dealer. Probably do another paid one at 6K miles and then the free one at 10K.
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,067
Likes: 457
From: Pennsylvania
What do you mean "was only $139"?
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 1,246
Likes: 459
From: NY
That's what the dealer oil change cost paying cash for it - $139. Not too bad in my opinion given the cost of synth oil plus the dealer labor hourly rate. I saw that some people are using Toyota dealers for their changes, which isn't a bad idea I guess and is probably a little cheaper.
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Pit Crew
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 181
Likes: 112
From: CA
I still don't understand why people are changing oil too early. My dealer and Lexus recommend every 10k. I did evey 10k when I had my Toyota Camry and sold it when it had 226000 miles. Never had a problem.
Currently have 2300 miles on 350h and the oil on dipstick looks very clear!
Currently have 2300 miles on 350h and the oil on dipstick looks very clear!
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 1,246
Likes: 459
From: NY
I still don't understand why people are changing oil too early. My dealer and Lexus recommend every 10k. I did evey 10k when I had my Toyota Camry and sold it when it had 226000 miles. Never had a problem.
Currently have 2300 miles on 350h and the oil on dipstick looks very clear!
Currently have 2300 miles on 350h and the oil on dipstick looks very clear!
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 954
Likes: 512
From: NJ
I still don't understand why people are changing oil too early. My dealer and Lexus recommend every 10k.
Extreme heat in the turbo is reputed to reduce oil life. I'll see how many miles we drive a year now that, out of 4 cars, our RX is the only vehicle we have with a back seat.
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,067
Likes: 457
From: Pennsylvania
I, also, thought maybe it was overkill to change this first oil at 5000 miles/8 months today on my 350h. Again, I was spooked into it from all the posts here and from my youth when I was trained to change early and often. I’ll not change the oil again until another 10,000 miles. At my current rate it will be 20 months until I drive 10K. Can it go that long if under 10K miles?
Last edited by daryll40; Sep 14, 2023 at 09:49 AM.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 717
Likes: 357
From: Vermont
I still don't understand why people are changing oil too early. My dealer and Lexus recommend every 10k. I did evey 10k when I had my Toyota Camry and sold it when it had 226000 miles. Never had a problem.
Currently have 2300 miles on 350h and the oil on dipstick looks very clear!
Currently have 2300 miles on 350h and the oil on dipstick looks very clear!
Pole Position
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,172
Likes: 1,716
From: NC
I don't get it either...and I've had plenty of turbocharged engines. I changed the oil, as recommended, every 10k on my 2013 RX and the oil never looked bad when I changed it. If there were a really good reason to change the oil more frequently, Lexus would surely recommend it. They enjoy doing service work.
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,312
Likes: 542
From: Florida
I, also, thought maybe it was overkill to change this first oil at 5000 miles/8 months today on my 350h. Again, I was spooked into it from all the posts here and from my youth when I was trained to change early and often. I’ll not change the oil again until another 10,000 miles. At my current rate it will be 20 months until I drive 10K. Can it go that long if under 10K miles?