Jabberwock

Changing the oil today reminded me again of what a superbly engineered car the LS430 is. Put the car up on wheel ramps. The bolt for the oil pan came off easy. Easy quick drain process. Go get a cool drink. Clean and replace drain plug. Then remove two bolts to open the plastic access door to get to the oil filter. The filter sits horizontally and is very easy to access and easy to spin off. As it is loosened the oil from filter drains vertically right into drain pan with no splashing on any panels or other parts of the LS. Then it's easy to see and clean off the filter mount and reinstall new Toyota filter...hand tighten very snug. Reinstall the two bolts to close up the plastic access door. Fill up with 5.4 quarts of Pennzoil Ultra 5w-30. Done. Saved about $40 from taking to Lexus. Feeling of accomplishment - priceless.

BMW7_LS430

I know the sense of accomplishment. I already bought the oil for next oil change. Now just waiting for mileage to accumulate which is not going to happen soon though.

I have to stop taking out the whole plastic undercover. lol
Next time.

LScowboyLS

if you think oil changes are rewarding and easy to do now, just wait until you get a Fumoto valve!

Legender

Wow... I get the same feeling when I do mine. And we follow the same process. I do need to get some of that Pennzoil Ultra though... been using the Mobil 1 Extended... but heard from LSCowboy that Ultra is better... again, have to wait till I accumulate some more miles. But that's a pleasure all its own.

SLLTO

the access door is a genius thing on this car but so simple...Lexus FTW

AlexusAnja

Oil change and brakes are easiest on any car I've ever worked on. This however is offset by difficulty of checking the coolant level and replacing the HID bulbs... ugh for both

Moikoi

5.4 quarts?... my 05 owner's manual say 4.8qt with filter..

Jabberwock

My 2006 LS430 takes apprx 5.4 quarts to fill - with a filter change. This puts oil level at top dot (highest of the two) of the dipstick. The few times I took it to Lexus they charged me for 6 quarts of oil. If it is 4.8 then I've been overfilling by 1/2 quart for several oil changes ...likley not doing any harm at that level. But I will check my manual tomorrow and report back if it says something lower than 5.4 quarts.

Gene01

I am curious about the difficulty of checking the coolant level.
It is true that you have to walk over next to a front wheel (either one) instead of directly viewing the reservoir from the front as in most other cars. And you might need a flashlight.
Am I missing something else?

AlexusAnja

No, the coolant reservoir is under the air intake in the middle of the bay above the radiator. You have to remove the cover, which is held down by two plastic bolts and then you can see the reservoir. You have to do this just to fill also. Just weird inconvenience.

LScowboyLS

With the car on very level ground, the dipstick is always the final arbiter of correct fluid level. Overfilling of fluids can cause foaming, which results in poor lubrication, so try to get it to the top dot and no higher. I generally refill with enough oil to get it halfway in between the dipstick dots and then go for a nice test drive, then add the last 1/2 quart or so carefully and slowly about 3 minutes after the car is shut off warm.

Many factors can affect the final amount of oil needed, such as how long the oil was drained for at the bolt, the angle the car was at when drained, the use of an oversize filter, and even then temperature of the oil when you are changing it.

Can't believe you guys are not going nuts about the amazing Fumoto valve!

warminwisc

Changing my oil gives me a caffiene rush also when I am lounging over a warm cup of coffee, snacking ons some fruit or sitting in an Avalon, Sequia or Landcruiser on the dealers showroom floor. Pull in, pull out with a freshly washed car and I become a regular customer treated well for any future more major service work.
Priceless no 11 bucks, my own oil plus the cost of the filter.

Just kidding!!! I still have to check the oil myself so it is not overfilled the oil service guys are practically new every 5-6 k miles. I will have to check out the routine one of these days.

Jabberwock

Warm - I hear exactly what you are saying.

As I got in my 50's doing light maintenance (and easy mods) on our various family cars has turned into an enjoyable hobby. I have all the tools, take my time, work very carefully and typically have my 16 yo stepson around helping so that he can learn a little about maintaining cars and how they are put together. It takes my mind completely off what I do for a living so it is also a great stress reliever for me.

Gene01

I can easily see the coolant level with the plastic cover in place while standing next to a front wheel. I would have to remove it to fill, but it has never yet been necessary.
Perhaps it is different for the 01-03s. Mine is an '05

warminwisc

Jab, I wish I could 1/2 my season is winter and I drive a ton of miles but ya I will change it next time for kicks just to see how the engineering is so sweet. I am 53 I also find it is hard to get rid of the oil. The garages can't take it in wisco as they can't vough for what it is for EPA.