Recently purchased a new 2024 Lexus ES 350 Base Model. Being the diligent maintenance guy, I waited for my Lexus to have 1,000 miles on the odometer (break in period) and then replaced the oil with Penzoil Platinum Full Synthetic 0-20W and Fram oil filter. I asked the tech to show me the factory oil filter so I could inspect it for metal shavings. (You Tube mechanics encourage us to change our break in oil to remove the metal shavings created during the engine break in period.) Well, the removed filter had no metal shavings visible to the eye even when examined with a magnifying glass. One of the techs told me that the newer engines don't require an oil change at 1,000-1,500 miles and that such a precaution was only required years ago.

I did, however, notice that the V-6 was slightly quieter and accelerated more smoothly with the Penzoil Platinum oil. I'll change my oil next at 5,000 miles and continue with this 5,000 mile oil change service interval for trouble-free engine reliability. Yes, the Lexus Service schedule calls for an oil change every 10,000 miles. That may get you through the warranty period, but these engines are documented to run 200,000+.miles without repair issues. I've owned Lexus, Hyundai and Kia models for 160,000 miles without any engine issues whatsoever and always observed a 5,000 mile oil change service interval.

BTW, I had the oil service performed at Walmart. Saved myself $50-70 be using them. (Walmart cost $58 for 5.7 quarts of Platinum and a Fram oil filter, while Lexus wanted $110 before adding tax and shop supply charges. Great experience at Walmart. You schedule your appointment date/time online, show up and they take you right in. Very courteous people. Took 40 minutes. Did the weekly grocery shopping at the same time while my car was on the lift. And Walmart documents its service on CARFAX to boot!

I don't need to spend $60 for a car wash, soda, bag of chips and a comfortable chair at the dealership. Don't need vehicle pickup and loaner car for a 40 minute service.

Just relating my experience. It's probably okay to get your initial oil change at 5,000 miles since the oil filter looked pristine at 1,000 miles..

 

I will alway do a first-time oil change by 1K. Recently did first oil change on daughter’s 24 Corolla at 900 miles. I do my own oil changes - just can never trust mechanics. Will only use them if I have to. The Corolla comes with two-year free oil changes but I will be doing them myself.

I just got my Tacoma aligned after replacing the UCAs and LCAs. The alignment seems well done but they did not torque the LCA bolts to spec. They should be 100 ft-lbs and they were way under, about 80.

 

Smart to do the early oil change, but you’re a braver man than me, having Walmart service your brand new Lexus. 🤞

 

May as well as go buy lottery LOL you have a high chance for luck, talking all sort of good stuff and ended up bringing your brand new Lexus to Walmart LOL. Good luck but I don't trust Walmart, on my first beater, they over tourqed my lug nuts when rorating the tire to over 220 (my Stubby Miwakee that has max torque around 220 can't break it lose) and the second time, they overfilled my oil and forgot to change the the oil filter, but on paperwork it said new filter bla bla. That was 2 different locations.

 

Avoid Walmart service and fram filters. OEM filter and Toyota 0-16W oil, full inspection at local Toyota dealer is $58 locally.

 

Best second option. The first one is either DIY if you know what you doing or bringing to Lexus.

Remember now, bring your car to service at a non-Lexus dealership could disqualify your car from being a L/CPO, depending on what services you did there, if you try to trade-in or sell it later.

Service your car at Lexus will increase and/or retain your car's value better, so the $300 - $500 you saved lifetime from not bringing your car to Lexus could easy bring your car value down $1000 - 2000. Why not bringing to Lexus for oil change and tire balance?

 

Oil changes are not in that disqualifying category, by order of Magnuson-Moss federal warranty leglslation. I personally agree with those on this thread who mistrust Walmart automotive service, but third-party oil changes with receipts do qualify as meeting warranty requirements for oil changes.

 

First: The oil wear-in metals are usually measured in ppm so they are not shavings that you can see under magnifying glass. It's either a powerful microscope or a lab analysis.

Second: I wouldn't trust a $50k+ car to any quick-lube either; even less Walmart. Hell, I don't even fully trust the Lexus dealer; but I don't have the time to DIY.

Third: The ES (at least in USA) uses SAE 0W-16 not 0W-20. The US owners manual states: "If SAE 0W-16 is not available, SAE 0W-20 oil may be used. However, it must be replaced with SAE 0W-16 at the next oil change." (Sec. 8-1 / page 400)

Finally: There's a thread full on info regarding this topic were you can share your experience (to keep it under the same roof): Oil changes - every 10,000 miles? Even the first??

 

Your third point peaked my curiosity so I looked at my 2024 Owner's Manual. The Manual indicates that the 2GR-FKS engine (the 6 cylinder engine) should use SAE0W-20 as the " best choice" but if not available, then SAE 5W-20 can be used but should be replaced with SAE 0W-20 at the next oil change. See page 386, 8.1 Specifications. Don't mean to appear snarky, but the SAE 0W-16 oil is used with the A25A-FKS (4 cylinder) engine. I know Walmart changed the filter because they gave me the old one that I requested.

I know the idea of having a new Lexus serviced at Walmart may alarm some members, but Walmart is 5 miles away while Lexus is 50 miles away for me. It's a Toyota-engineered car, not a Bentley or Ferrari requiring engine disassembly to reach the filter. Walmart techs are ASE techs and do daily LOF services on Toyotas and Lexus vehicles. The ES 350 is not a vehicle they are unaccustomed to seeing. Where it is serviced doesn't affect resale value, as long as its's a reputable service facility which reports to CARFAX (i.e. Lexus/Toyota Dealership, Goodyear, Firestone, Sears, Walmart.) What affects the car's resale value is the number of service records (i.e. the frequency and extent of the vehicle's regular service) which appear on the CARFAX, its appearance and condition, and collision record. I've no hesitation to let the Walmart folks provide the simple maintenance (oil change, battery, tire balancing, air and cabin filters, fuel injector cleaning.) More specialized work like brakes, serpentine belt and hose replacement, struts, and bushings, however, are reserved for Lexus-trained techs.

Wish I could DIY but I'm too old for that.

 

You can even use 5w-30, nothing will happen to your car.
I would not let Walmart anywhere near my car, find independently owned car repair shop near you.

 

His car uses 0W20 - it's not a hybrid.

 

Will it void the warranty if you DIY?

 

NO WAY. Maintain proper documentation, receipts etc.

 

You are correct! My bad, as I have the 300H (A25A-FKS).

It make sense and as you say they are suppose to be experienced techs. Technically it shouldn't be an issue, but I have heard so many horror stories about these quick-lube locations on my area that I don't trust any them. Inexperienced ever changing personnel, almost never change the crush washer, forgetting to change the filter or using inexpensive ones, over torque the plug, over/under filling, using wrong oil or inexpensive one, forgetting to put back the oil cap.

So, although Oil changes are not in that disqualifying category, by order of Magnuson-Moss federal warranty legislation. If for some reason they fail at this, and the Lexus dealer can point the cause to the oil change, they'll have legal base to deny warranty. I have heard also stories of Lexus dealers failing, but since they are the authorized dealer, they cannot deny warranty for their own mistakes.

 

In principle no, but they surely can. Let's suppose a DIY use a cheap filter (not OEM) that get damaged inside and then over tight the plug as to break the pan treads; I'm very positive they can point the cause to the oil change and deny warranty. I personally know an Honda service advisor that shared some these service fails that ended in denying a warranty; if they could prove the issue was caused by that.