I completed a 500 mile engine break-in oil change on my 2025 Overtrail. I completed the work with OEM oil and filter. I plan to use OEM for the foreseeable. I also had the oil tested (along with having the fresh Toyota 0W-20 oil tested as a baseline). See attached for the results that I just got. I plan to continue to have the oil tested for at least the first couple of years just to keep an eye on the break in period and stave off any issues if they happen to arise. I plan to do another change at 1,500 miles and then every 5k miles thereafter. If others think it would be helpful I can post the results of the oil tests for those future oil changes, just let me know if it's worth my time.
Oil changes with testing
- Thread starter BostonNewbie
- Start date
Thanks, I did a similar thing except I did oil changes at 600, 1500 and 5100 miles. Plan on 5 k OCI’s. Not a fan of Toyota oil, I like Pennzoil ultra platinum, it had a great additive package. I will keep on using OEM filters.
SandMonster
New member
How crucial is it to change the oil early in the car life cycle? Have about 3k miles on mine - should I change oil prior to the 5k milestone?
IMHO, it's a waste of money. What are you going to do if you get bad results? I seriously doubt Lexus would acknowledge an oil test. The engine is warrantied. If there's an issue, it should be covered. Change intervals should always be based on the filter size. Since the GX has one the size of a tea cup, I don't know how they get away with 10k changes. My first was at 500 also. I go no more than 3k
I wonder why the preference for Toyota and Lexus to use the small filter? Saving money? Strange, I would figure that a larger filter would work better since turbos like clean oil.
My old 2005 Nissan quest with the 3.5 was the same way. Did the mod to put a larger oil pan and larger filter.
My old 2005 Nissan quest with the 3.5 was the same way. Did the mod to put a larger oil pan and larger filter.
- Thread starter
- #7
Thanks for that, it’ll be a nice comparison for me!
No problem! Good luck with the rig!
BostonNewbie, I am curious why you are not following the Lexus recommended oil change intervals? Please correct me if that is incorrect - my dealer and my Lexus maintenance guide says 1000miles/6 months initial oil change, then every 5000 miles/or every 6 mos - whichever occurs first. My first oil change will be in August most likely because my mileage interval most likely won't be met but the monthly period will be. Thanks for a reply as this is a mystery to me.... 
- Thread starter
- #10
Hi @JoeRob. Lexus' recommended oil changes for the GX are every 10k/12 months. I'm certainly no engineer or oil expert but everything that I've read over the years has educated me that I should do at least 1 engine break in oil change prior to the first scheduled oil change and then change the oil every 5k/6months. I plan to keep the vehicle for a very long time so I'm happy to spend an extra $100/year throwing in an extra oil change (beyond Lexus' recommended 10k/12mo) to know that I'm doing the best I can to protect the vehicle's long term health. From what I understand taking care of the oil on the GX is particularly important because the two turbos have the engine oil flowing through them as well. Again, I'm no engineer, I'm just going by what I understand is best practice. And if best practice only costs me a little bit extra then I'm happy to do that.
Hello BostonNewbie - I appreciate your reply to me - You are to be commended for wanting to take care of your vehicle as it is a huge investment and the engine is the biggest expense should it have to be replaced/repaired outside of warranty.
Best to you.
Best to you.
I do not have a local service center. Closest is over 500 miles away. Any issues with Toyota dealer performing maintenance? Thoughts out there?
- Thread starter
- #13
I don't have experience with it but from what I understand a Toyota dealer can perform routine maintenance on the vehicle. Call them to confirm but for something like an oil change I have to imagine it would be perfectly fine (and likely less $ than the Lexus dealer).
Makes sense. I did speak with the Toyota dealer and they confirmed they able to work on Lexus, just can't provide warranty. Should be good to go!
Not sure. It comes with a slightly larger filter which I have ordered. I just hope they're legit. There are so many counterfeit Toyota parts out there. At 7.7 quarts, that's a lot of filtering.
How much does this cost? I may get one once in a while just to be informed.
- Thread starter
- #17
$60
thanks
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