🔧 RX350 - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

Changing the oil and oil filter keeps your RX350’s engine lubricated and clean, which helps prevent wear and sludge buildup. You’ll drain the old oil, replace the cartridge-style oil filter, then refill with fresh 0W-20 and verify the level.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1.0-1.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a flat surface and support the RX350 with jack stands before going underneath.
• ⚠️ Let the engine cool 20-30 minutes; hot oil can burn you.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off the serpentine belt and exhaust components.
• ⚠️ Do not rely on a floor jack alone—use jack stands or drive-on ramps.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this service.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (at least 10-quart capacity)
• Funnel
• 14mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• Torque wrench (10-80 ft-lbs range)
• Trim clip tool
• Flathead screwdriver
• Oil filter cap wrench 64mm 14-flute (specialty)
• 3/8" drive extension (3"-6")
• Shop towels

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (0W-20 full synthetic) - Qty: 7 quarts
• Oil filter cartridge kit (with O-rings) - Qty: 1
• Engine oil drain plug gasket (crush washer) - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🧰 Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• 🧰 Warm the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off to help the oil drain faster.
• 🧰 Raise the front with a floor jack and support with jack stands at the approved lift points.
• 🧰 Gather the new filter kit and confirm it includes the large housing O-ring (and small O-ring if provided).
• 🧰 Assumption: your RX350 uses the cartridge filter housing with a 64mm cap.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the lower access cover

• Put on nitrile gloves and safety glasses.
• Position your drain pan under the engine oil pan area.
• Use a trim clip tool and flathead screwdriver to remove the clips/fasteners for the small service flap or lower splash shield section (varies by cover style).
• Keep clips in a cup so none get lost.

Step 2: Drain the engine oil

• Use a 14mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the oil drain plug.
• Finish removing the plug by hand and let the oil drain into the drain pan.
• Remove the old crush washer from the drain plug and install the new drain plug gasket (crush washer).

Step 3: Reinstall and torque the drain plug

• Wipe the drain hole area with shop towels.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a torque wrench and 14mm socket to tighten the drain plug to Torque to 40 Nm (30 ft-lbs).

Step 4: Remove the oil filter housing (cartridge filter)

• Move the drain pan under the oil filter housing area (it will drip).
• Use the oil filter cap wrench 64mm 14-flute (specialty) with a 3/8" drive ratchet and 3/8" drive extension to loosen the filter housing.
• Unscrew the housing carefully and lower it—oil will spill.
• Definition: the oil filter cap wrench is a cup-style socket made to fit the filter housing without breaking it.

Step 5: Replace the filter element and O-ring(s)

• Pull the old cartridge filter out of the housing by hand.
• Use a flathead screwdriver to gently lift the old large O-ring off the housing groove.
• Install the new large O-ring from the filter kit in the correct groove and lightly coat it with fresh 0W-20 engine oil (use a dab from the bottle).
• Install the new cartridge filter into the housing (push until it seats).
• Wrong O-ring groove can cause leaks.

Step 6: Reinstall and torque the oil filter housing

• Thread the housing in by hand first until the O-ring contacts the engine side.
• Use a torque wrench with the oil filter cap wrench 64mm 14-flute (specialty) to tighten to Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).
• Wipe any oil residue with shop towels.

Step 7: Reinstall the lower access cover

• Use the trim clip tool and flathead screwdriver to reinstall the splash shield fasteners/clips.
• Double-check nothing is hanging down near the tires.

Step 8: Refill with new engine oil

• Lower the RX350 off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap.
• Use a funnel to add 0W-20 full synthetic.
• Refill amount (typical with filter): start with about 6.4 quarts (6.1 L), then adjust after checking the dipstick.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap snugly by hand.

Step 9: Start, inspect for leaks, and set oil level

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Shut the engine off and wait 5 minutes for oil to settle.
• Check underneath for leaks at the drain plug and filter housing using safety glasses.
• Check the dipstick level, then add oil as needed using the funnel (small amounts at a time).

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✅ After Repair

• 🧪 Recheck for leaks after a short 5-10 minute drive.
• 🧪 Recheck the dipstick again after the drive and top off if needed.
• 🧾 Dispose of used oil and filter at an oil recycling drop-off (many parts stores accept it).
• 🧰 Reset the maintenance reminder (two common methods):
• Use the method that matches your display:
  • Method A (steering wheel / screen): Use steering wheel buttons to open Settings > Vehicle Settings > Maintenance System > Oil Maintenance > Reset.
  • Method B (trip/odo style): Use the cluster controls to show ODO, power off, then press/hold the TRIP/ODO button while turning ignition to ON until the reset completes.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $120-$200 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $45-$85 (parts only)

You Save: $75-$115 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.