Oil and Oil Filter Replacement: 2nd Gen Lexus IS350

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Oil Change on a 2nd Gen Lexus IS350

Engine oil does two things: it helps reduce friction of moving and rubbing internal components by lubrication and it helps absorb heat that is generated from these moving parts. The oil filter takes the oil and filters out its contaminates, then moving the oil on to be used again.

According to the owner’s manual, my 2006 Lexus IS350 with the 2GR-FSE 3.0L V6 engine uses a 5W-30 viscosity oil, but 10W-30 can be used as well if the former is not available. You should replace your engine oil depending on what type of motor oil you go with.

When changing the oil and oil filter, you will need 6.6 quarts of oil to perform an oil change. When only changing the oil (no filter) then the manual says you’ll need just 6.2 quarts of oil.

Since the Lexus IS350 sits relatively low, the car will need to be jacked up or driven up onto ramps in order to gain access to the undercarriage. The oil filter is located behind a cover under the vehicle. The oil filter also utilizes an oil filter housing that will need to be removed with an adapter. When removed, it will expose the oil filter which is a cartridge filter type.

Oil Specifications

According to the owner’s manual for the 1GRE-FE V6 engine, the following specifications are provided:

Engine Oil Type: 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity: 5.5 qt with filter, 4.9 qt without filter

Tools/Materials Used

Motor Oil

I’ve always used full synthetic on my 2nd gen IS350, but if you’re worried about engine seals leaking from the use of full synthetic motor oil, then synthetic blend or some type of high mileage oil is a good alternative.

SAE 5W-30 Motor Oil on Amazon

Oil Filter

You can’t go wrong with OEM oil filters, and that is what I usually use. The Wix and K&N oil filters also get great reviews. Here are some part numbers for different oil filters for the 2nd gen IS350 (2006-2013):

OEM (04152-YZZA3): Ebay / Amazon
Wix (57173): Ebay / Amazon
K&N (PS-7023): Ebay / Amazon

Oil Filter Adapter

This adapter is needed to open/close the oil filter housing since the 2nd gen IS350 utilizes a cartridge style oil filter.

Motivx Tools Oil Filter Wrench 64mm Cartridge Style Oil Filter System

Oil Change Proecedure: 2nd Gen Lexus IS350

Use a floor jack or drive up on some vehicle ramps to gain access to the bottom of the vehicle. Of course, use jack stands and a wheel chock for safety.

Open the oil filler cap.

Underneath the front of the vehicle, you’ll see the following cover held in by (3) Phillips head screws. The oil filter is behind this cover.

2nd gen is350 oil change - oil filter cover

The oil filter is a cartridge type, so it has a housing that will need to be unscrewed in order to replace. The oil filter

Place an oil drain pan below this area. Once the filter adapter is on, use a wrench to loosen the oil filter housing. Then open the housing by hand and allow the oil to drip into the pan. Have some shop towels on hand to clean up the mess. Remove the old cartridge, and then use a flat head screwdriver and pry off the old o-ring from the housing cap.

The new oil cartridge filter should come with a new o-ring and a washer. Make sure to prime the o-ring with new motor oil and install it onto the filter cap.

Re-install the oil filter and tighten the filter cap by hand.

2nd gen is350 oil change - oil filter housing

With a 14mm socket, loosen the oil drain plug. Once loosened, undo the drain plug by hand. Make sure to hold the drain plug tight enough at the end so you’re able to grab it and pull away as all the motor oil drains out.

Take the drain plug bolt, wipe it down, and install the new primed washer. Then re-install and torque to 18 ft-lbs.

Re-fill the engine with motor oil to around 5 quarts.

I removed the funnel and replaced the cap before starting the vehicle and letting it warm up. I then drove the vehicle off the vehicle ramps so that I can get accurate oil readings on level ground. If you were on jack stands, you’ll need to get the vehicle down before turning the car on and letting it warm up.

After warming the engine up, shut it off, and wait about five minutes, and then checked the oil dipstick. In the case below, I had a reading right in the middle between low and full.