I figured that.....I just wanta make sure what the heck i'm unscrewing!

 

I just worry about the fact that my ES is still under factory warranty & Lexus Extended warranty.....I have no problem changing fliuds myself......but if something 'weird' happened (just my luck it might), & the engine got 'pooched' then I'm up the creek without a paddle! & Lexus can deny a claim for a repair.

 

My wife has an '04 RX330 and I have changed the oil quite a few times.

I use the YZZD1 filter (purchased at Toyota dealer) and reach it from the top. I have found that to be easiest.

I put a Fumoto drain valve on (http://www.fumotovalve.com) on so I don't have to remove the access panel for the drain plug.

I use Mobil 1 5W30 and change the oil every 5,000 miles. Getting ready to hit 30,000 miles this Spring.

p.s. by the way, the new Mobil 1 extended performance (EP) oils (15,000 mile oil change) look interesting, but I doubt I would ever take it that far.

Curt
'01 Audi A4 (V6 Quattro)
'04 Lexus RX330 (V6, AWD)

 

Welcome back to CL, cdnewton!

That Fumoto valve is a great idea, particularly for drain valves that are difficult to reach. Some years ago I knew the captain in charge of the Houston Police fleet. He had similar valves installed on all of the vehicles in his charge. When you think about it, a police cruiser in normal service gets an oil change about once a week, some even more often. The replacement cost of oil pans for stripped drain plugs was horrific until they installed these valves. They performed well and caused no problems – actually saving their own costs within a few weeks.

Of course this doesn’t say much for the skills of the mechanics in the police garage . . . . . . but it is always a challenge to make things foolproof - the fools are always gaining on you!