The 2008 Lexus IS 250 boasts generally reliable handling, a comfortable interior, and solid interior features for its model year. If you’re hoping to keep this luxury car on the road for as long as possible, it might help to know its oil capacity.

Staying on top of your car's maintenance is a good way to extend your car’s longevity. And if you drive a 2008 Lexus IS 250, you might be able to cut down on maintenance costs by taking care of oil changes at home—in which case you’ll need to know your vehicle’s oil capacity and required oil type.

Here to give you the rundown on just that is

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2008 Lexus IS 250 engine oil capacity

The 2008 Lexus IS 250’s 2.5-liter, 6-cylinder engine on the all-wheel drive model has an oil capacity of 6.8 quarts or about 6.4 liters.

The Lexus IS 250 engine oil capacity can vary depending on its model year, engine type, and drivetrain, so it’s important to check your owner’s manual for the proper specifications.

It might be easy to mistake the “2.5 liters” for your engine’s oil capacity here, but this number actually refers to your engine’s displacement, which is the total volume your engine’s cylinders take up.

What kind of oil does a 2008 Lexus IS 250 need?

The 2008 Lexus IS requires 5W-30 engine oil every time you perform an

oil change

Let’s break down what that means. The “5” refers to the engine oil’s viscosity or thickness at colder temperatures before you’ve started your IS 250’s engine. The “30” is its viscosity once your engine reaches normal operating temperatures.

It’s vital to make sure you’re using a motor oil with the correct viscosity grade—the wrong type of engine oil could cause severe damage to your engine or other vehicle components. It's up to you whether you use synthetic or conventional motor oil.

Lexus’s recommendation:

Toyota Genuine Motor Oil

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

How often to change oil on a 2008 Lexus IS 250

So, how often will you need to change the engine oil on your 2008 Lexus IS 250?

Changing the engine oil on your 2008 Lexus IS 250 is a standard practice in your

car's basic maintenance schedule

, but how often you do it might depend on several different factors.

Generally, you should change your vehicle’s oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles if you’re using conventional oil or at least every six months if you’re not driving very often.

A full synthetic engine oil can extend that range to every 7,500 to 10,000 miles.

That said, your driving conditions can impact when you need an oil change, too. Driving up steep inclines, gravel roads, and frequent or rough braking and accelerating are all driving conditions that might require you to get an oil change sooner than you might otherwise have to.

Periodically monitor your engine oil to see how it’s doing—common recommendations include about once a month or whenever you’re refueling.

If your 2008 Lexus IS 250 is ready for an oil change, you might notice some of the following signs:

The motor oil has turned dark brown or black (fresh engine oil is a more translucent light brown)

The engine oil has a grainy texture, indicating debris buildup

Your engine starts making strange noises

You notice smoke or burning smells coming from the engine

Worsened vehicle performance

MORE:

How to change your oil and oil filter

Once your Lexus IS 250 is ready for an oil change, you’ll want to gather a few odds and ends before getting started. Those materials will include:

A socket wrench

An oil filter wrench (tool used to remove oil filters)

New washer for your drain plug

New oil filter

Fresh engine oil

Funnel

Drain pan

Towel(s) for cleanup

To get started, let your engine run just a few minutes to warm up the oil and make it easier to drain. Then, shut your engine off and prop open your Lexus’s hood:

Remove the oil fill cap

Underneath your vehicle, remove the oil drain bolt and washer and allow the old oil to empty into the drain pan (careful, though—it might be hot!)

Remove the old oil filter and replace it with a new one

Replace the oil drain bolt with a new washer

Add fresh engine oil to the proper level and replace the fill cap

After changing your oil, it’s a good idea to turn on your car and let your engine run for about 30 seconds before you check the oil level. This will give you a more accurate measurement, and you’ll be able to top it off if necessary.

shouldn't take long to change the oil

, but you'll want to let your engine run for a few minutes and check around for any leaks once you're done. After the engine has cooled off, check the oil level one last time, topping it off to the right level as needed.

Finally, remember to dispose of your old engine oil properly! Many cities have recycling locations to accept used motor oil, and so do several auto shops and car dealerships.

MORE:

Can you add oil to a hot engine?

Remember regular insurance policy maintenance

Taking care of your 2008 Lexus IS250's oil change at home is a great way to

save money on car expenses

—now, if only saving on car insurance was that easy. Actually, with

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