Not sure anyone really knows:


https://www.reddit.com/r/rav4club/co...0next%20change..

 

I would expect 0W16 to flow more quickly upon startup. That's important with a hybrid that is constantly starting and stopping it's engine. Keep in mind that people were fearful of the 20 weight oils when they first came out and they have turned out to be great.

 

Engine oil pumps have changed as well with electronically controlled flow and pressure.

 

Lower viscosity oils, such as 0W-16 and 0W-20 are now predominantly in use, as they have been driven by US government imposed CAFE standards. That is what it is all about.

 

I just bought this threaded funnel from Amazon, as I thought that it would be useful at oil change time. In the past, I have always used a plastic funnel when pouring oil into the valve cover oil port after doing a drain and filter change. The funnels are always a bit sloppy when adding the oil, especially when using a four or five quart/liter jug. These are threaded at the bottom and screw right into the valve cover, using a seal ring at the bottom of the neck. No more floppy funnel with a narrow opening at the bottom. This should make things a little less messy in the future. This fits both of my Lexi and my Toyota Sequoia so, I am good to go. About $16. Here's a link....

 

All, a while ago I bought the funnel linked above that screws into the oil fill opening. Today I changed the oil myself for the first time on my wife's RX350. Her RX is the turbo gas version. When it got time to add the new oil, I discovered that the funnel won't screw into the oil fill opening. The plastic cover over the top of the engine that directs air to the rear of the engine and over the turbo prevents the funnel from screwing in. It still kind of works.and didn't leak but I couldn't screw it in. The rest of the oil change was uneventful. I do find that the thin oil (0W-20 for the turbo RX engine) makes it hard to see the oil level on the dipstick, especially when the oil is new. FWIW, I used Mobil 1 Extended Performance 0W-20 (purchased @ Walmart in a 5 qt. jug) and the OEM Toyota/Lexus oil filter (Part #90915-YZZN1).

Brighton, MI
CAPT, USN (Ret.)

1973 Alfa Romeo 2000 Spider Veloce (Owned since new)
2023 Lexus RX 350
2024 Audi A6

 

Why not pull the engine cover off? It pops right off with a tug.

 

Interesting, I use one of those screw in types and fortunately the 350h engine doesn't have that air flow director.

 

No turbo, no need for a deflector to cool it.
​​​​​​

 

Fantastic write-up. I just did my first change on Lexus today. Dealership did number 1 and cranked down the filter WAY too tight. I skipped jacking it up, was able to shimmy underneath which saved some time.

 

This is great to know. I actually have a couple of double thick 2X6s that are nailed together with an angled cut on one end. Sounds like they'll work great as a ramp to do an oil change. The extra 4" should de fine.

 

My experience with Hondas is that the factory uses Sumo wrestlers to tighten the filters. Make sure you have a cap wrench that fits the tiny filter properly, before you start in earnest.

After finding that the dealer SAID they changed the cabin filter, but didn't, I now have the urge to mark the oil filter to assure replacement when they do the next oil change....
Trust, but verify.

 

I have essentially decided to avoid Lexus dealers for cabin and engine/air filter changes as I cannot trust them and don't want to pay their overcharging. Do the air filter changes not seem like DYI to you, as others seem to have noted and do, in the forum (primarily in the NX forum) ?

Or are the air filter changes sufficiently complex to have dealer/shop do it, for the RX ?

 

I'm almost 70, and I'm a retired automotive repair and information services professional. I'm still DIY on almost everything on my vehicles.

For those who DIY oil change on your car, don't just give it a oil change, give it the best oil change.


Prefill your oil filter to the brim after the last bubble escapes from the oil filter hole, tighten your oil drain plug, attach the oil funnel to the oil fill hole, tilt your oil filter at 90 degrees on top of the funnel and let the oil drain out into your engine. Once the oil almost stops dripping, install your oil filter.

Your chains and valve tappets will sing a very happy tune when you do that.

Cheers

 

I have always done 90% of the service on all of the cars that I have owned. Yes, I have accepted their one or two "free" oil changes and "inspections" but, the rest of the service has been my doing. Neither the cabin filter nor the engine air filter swap-out is any big deal at all and can be done in your garage or driveway. Oil and filter changes are also a breeze on these cars, as well. I was surprised to find that the spin-on oil filter in both of my 450h+ models is adjacent to the oil drain plug. You simply remove that little fiber access panel under the engine and voila, there they are. There are most likely You Tube clips available online for those who may be a little gun shy. In most cases, a franchise dealer will nick you for a couple of hours labor to change the cabin and air filters when, in reality it can be done in a fraction of that time.