I’m not capable of changing my own oil on a vehicle because I don’t have the knowledge or know how. Im not mechanically inclined like some others in here, so I leave it to the dealership service technician to do it.

 

This is the best one I could find. The actual filter cartridge slips over the center piece. This is the filter container that screws onto the bottom of the engine.

 

I once overcooked a fried egg

 

If someone is competent and handy then it totally makes sense to change their own own in their $40-$50 K Lexus, as means of satisfaction.

If not competent, i would spend the few dollars to have someone who is trained to do it.

Just my personal opinion.

 

I used to change my own oil but got tired of crawling under vehicles and taking the oil down to the recycling center. I figured that as I got older and since I purchased a "luxury car" that I would also benefit from the "luxury" of not having to perform my own vehicle maintenance anymore. To me it's worth the slight additional cost to have someone else do it now. For those who truly enjoy wrenching on their own vehicles more power to you. At least I have appropriate knowledge of automotive systems (from a previous career) to know when the dealer is attempting to extract more money from me and I know what to challenge but other than that, I am fine with having the dealer service my car.

 

Doing it yourself, competently, assures the job is done right (or even, at all) and no other damage to your car is done.

Anyone can monkey something up, including "professionals."

Personal responsibility =)

Also you can upgrade to a metal (OEM) canister IIRC.

At least on the hybrids, it's a simple metal screw on filter -- no stinking contraptions!

 

I don’t understand. Why wouldn’t you take a brand new $50,000 to $55,000+ Lexus ES350 to the dealership and have them replace the oil and oil filter? Why take chances doing it yourself even though you know what you’re doing? I mean anything could break or go wrong doing it yourself. At least, at the Lexus dealership, they will be 100% responsible if they screw anything up on your vehicle.

 

There are different ways to be risk averse. Some people feel they're safest when the work is in the hands of (they hope) professionals. Others believe that if you want a job done right, do it yourself. As this thread demonstrates, both approaches have their potential pluses and minuses.

 

I hope you understand that dealer techs are a bunch of $8/hr 18/19 yr olds cursin/spitin up a storm, bashing your doors in, swinging them open hard, slamming things, scratching things..working on your car while blasting horrible music. (not paying attention) and that's just in the service bay -- 3 other people will drive and park and store your vehicle often resulting in other damages. they're not the white gloved masters you see it promo ads lol. far far from it.

Ask me how I know, with dash cam footage (unknown to the "techs")

These kids know almost nothing about your car either. There's few exceptions as with any profession.

 

And some of us just do it for personal satisfaction and accomplishing a task... The bonus is that no appointment necessary and you save $$$.

 

I took my new Prius in for it's first oil change at the dealer. The tech scratched the front bumper putting It on the lift. Sure they repainted it but it was a hassle. I should have just DIY.

I have the dealer do the oil changes while the car is under warranty 3-4 years and then I DIY. That way if anything happens under warranty there are zero questions as to maintenance as it's all in their system. Outside of warranty I don't see much point in over-paying at the dealer...

 

And running to the deli for lunch with your car and gas...

 

Now when did Toyota change the canister to be plastic? That’s a real cheap shot. I change oil on 3x Lexuses each year and the steel/aluminium canister is heavy and solid, is impossible to crack it unless you drop it from a top of a building.

 

exactly. They also have the habit to over torque everything, which risks cracking the pan or striping the treads.

when I do my own change, I torque to manufacturer specs, use the best oil and ensure oil properly drained, not spilled when filling.

 

that’s fine, nothing wrong with that, that’s your personal choice and what most owners do.

however, here is the real industry secret. It is not your Lexus master technician who does the oil change, it is handled down to the lowest paying technician, who is normally someone with the least amount of experience. They do the job as quickly as possible, while charging you the full hour.

Don’t assume that going to a professional gives you a “professional” outcome.

I would do a better job, 100% of the time when it comes to oil changes.