SavageJ

My NX has 30,994 miles on it and I have done several oil changes since I bought it in January 2015. This time I decided to take some pictures and provide a DIY for those who would like to do this themselves and save some money.

Things you will need:
Floor jack
jack stands (2)
wheel chocks (2)
1/4" socket set with 14 mm socket for the drain plug
funnel
5 qts of 0w20 oil (Mobil 1 synthetic)
Oil filter
Oil filter socket for Toyota/Lexus (specialty tool)
Rags/Papertowels
Container to drain oil

1. While the car is on the ground remove the oil cap



2. Now Lift the front of the car up with the jack and place the stands behind the front tires and the chocks behind the back tires.









3. Underneath the car, use your 14 mm socket to loosen the drain plug for the oil pan. This is located underneath the front passenger side of the car.


4. Now carefully unscrew the plug by hand and drain the used oil into the oil container below. After the oil completely drains (this may take 10 min or so) replace the cleaned drain plug back in the oil pan (with new washer if needed) and tighten, but not too tight. A torque wrench is nice to have at this point; set to 18.5 ft-lbs.



5. Use either the oil filter socket specifically made to fit over the Lexus oil filter container or a socket with a 1/4" extension to loosen the oil filter located in front of the oil pan. I used the 1/4" socket head extension to remove the filter and the Lexus socket to tighten it back on once the new filter was installed.









6. Replace the rubber rings on the oil filter container and lubricate with fresh oil. There are two rings but only one needs to be replaced as long as you don't use the special oil drainage attachment that comes with oil filter. Place the new filter into the container and screw the oil filter back in. This should also be tightened to 18.5 lbs-ft.






7. You can lower the front end of the car back down now and begin filling with new oil. I personally use Mobil 1 synthetiic 0w20, but any 0w20 would work I guess.




8. I swear I looked through the literature inside and out when I got the NX but never could find any information regarding oil capacity. If someone knows the official volume please let me know but I have found 5 quarts puts me in the right area on the dipstick.



And that's it! Oil is done and you can drive up to 10k more miles..... if you go by what Lexus recommends. I prefer 5k but have waited as long as 7.5k to replace the oil before. Hopefully this helps at least one person out there save some money.

NXOwner

Thanks for the DIY and even greater thanks for the pics.

How much is that "specialty tool" (oil filter socket) and do I have to buy it from a dealership?

SavageJ

It's $15-20 at most auto parts stores.

corradoMR2

Nice DIY. Thanks for the writeup!

SavageJ

A LOT of those miles come from the bi monthly trips to pick up my daughter 3 hrs away... Which ends up being 12 hrs all together during those weekends, but all interstate.

SavageJ

Nothing has gone wrong yet. She's going in to have her brake fluid replaced and tires rotated for her 30k service today, but other than that, I haven't had to visit the dealer (if you don't count the two first free visits.) As far as the bolsters, there's some creasing but it's been like that since the first week.

SavageJ

So I finally got around to asking my service advisor about the oil capacity. 5.2 qts officially

philwojo

Anyone know if this would be drastically different on a 300h? I would assume not, but I know it is a different ICE on it, just wondering if the same specialty wrench would work.

thanks,
Phil

online421

This is interesting.

When you buy a Lexus in New Zealand it comes with free full maintenance and service plan for 4 years, this plan stays with the car, so if you buy second hand (less than 4 yo) you are also covered.

What this means is you only have to pay for petrol, insurance, tyre and registration for your car. everything else is covered by Lexus. I took my car in for its first service a few weeks ago and it was all free. I didnt have to pay a cent and was offered a loan car for the day.

NXOwner

BMW dealerships here (Southern California) do that, as well, although I believe it is only for two or three years..

fishcak3s

Great write up!

From my understanding and correct me if I'm wrong, BMW includes the service in the price of the car, Lexus sells it as a package here in Canada.

I bought the package as mine is leased.

crankshaft

Excellent write-up.

rayzer57

Excellent detail and illustrations. Question: Does anyone remember the 80s when we had to prime the engine that were equipped with turbos. "Priming" was the process where after you changed the oil, you cranked the engine over until you registered oil pressure. When you change the engine oil and do not prime the engine, it takes about 15 seconds before the oil gets circulated, fills the oil filter, and reaches the turbo bearings. In essence, I hate the idea of the turbo spinning without oil pressure for 15 seconds or so with only the residual oil for the past oil. Priming was a standard practice for many manufacturers but it seems that some manufactures have done away with this simple practice.

I am just wondering if anyone who does their own oil changes primes their engine (after an oil change) before they start their engine. Or is their something in todays engines / turbos where that is no longer required. Lexus dealerships are not aware of this practice for a couple of reasons. One, most are very young mechanics and don't remember the good old days, and two, turbos are new to the Lexus mechanics (NX was the first new engine to Lexus that uses turbos) and according to the Lexus mechanic training, it is not required. I am just looking for a good technical reason why it is not required, or should it be?

joeyd27

Does anyone have a link or part number for the Oil filter socket special tool? I'd like to buy one before my first oil change but not sure which to get.

NXOwner

Will this one from AutoZone work?