The 2013 Lexus RX 350 gives you an affordable luxury SUV that combines performance, style, and reliability. If you want your Lexus running at its best, you need to know more about its engine oil capacity, which is 6.4 quarts or 6.1 liters.
Any car comes with expenses, whether it’s car insurance
or maintenance. One way you can cut your costs is by doing some of the maintenance on your 2013 Lexus RX 350 yourself, which can include oil changes. However, you want to know the oil capacity and what type of oil to use before you do anything. If you don’t feel like digging around for wherever the owner manual ended up the last time you needed it, we can help you out with this car repair
guide. We’ve got the info you need on oil capacity and what type of oil to use, plus we’ll even go through the basic steps of an oil change for you. 2013 Lexus RX 350 engine oil capacity
Let’s start with something basic, like how much engine oil you’ll need for your 2013 Lexus RX 350.
In this case, your 2013 RX 350 has a 3.5-liter V6 engine and needs 6.4 quarts, or 6.1 liters, of oil. Your oil capacity differs from the engine displacement—the 3.5-liter part of your engine. Displacement tells you how much volume the engine takes up, but capacity is how much oil you need for every oil change—don’t mix up the numbers since they mean different things.
What kind of oil does a 2013 Lexus RX 350 need?
OK, so you’ve got the oil capacity, but you also need to find out the type of oil to use.
Your RX 350 owner’s manual recommends Toyota Genuine Motor Oil SAE 0W-20
as its first oil choice. You want to use this grade of oil since it’s meant to work best with your engine—avoid buying whatever is on sale or grabbing a random option. If you’re unfamiliar with what the numbers jumble means, the 0 and 20 are the oil’s viscosity, or how thick it is. The viscosity rating ranges from 0 degrees F to 212 degrees F so you know how well the oil works with changing weather conditions. The W is “Winter” and tells you which number is the cold weather viscosity—you need engine oil that can still move through the engine even when it’s cold out to avoid damage.
In this case, the 0W-20 is suitable for below-zero temperatures since it still works well if it gets below freezing. The SAE part refers to the Society of Automotive Engineers, the people responsible for rating engine oil viscosity.
Lexus states that you can also use 5W-20 if the 0W-20 is unavailable, but you’ll want to switch back to the 0W-20 the next time around.
How often to change oil on a 2013 Lexus RX 350
Once you know how much oil you need and what oil to use, you can move on to changing your oil.
You change the oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles when using conventional oil. Even if your 2013 Lexus RX 350 doesn’t get much time on the road, you’ll still want to change the oil every six months to keep your engine functioning. If you’re using synthetic oil, it lasts a lot longer, so you can go every 7,500 to 10,000 miles instead.
Of course, your car and driving habits make a difference, so check your Lexus at least once a month or every other time you get gas. You also want to watch for signs that your oil needs changing, which include the following:
The oil looks dark brown, black, or gritty when you check it
The engine makes odd noises or sounds louder
Unpleasant smells when you drive, like burning or oily fumes
Your vehicle doesn’t perform as well
Any of these signs can mean it’s time for new engine oil. And, of course, if the oil light starts flashing at you on the dashboard, then your Lexus is giving you a strong hint.
How to change your oil and oil filter
If it’s time to change the oil for your 2013 Lexus RX 350, you’ll want to have some items ready before you start. You want a socket wrench, drain pan, and filter wrench for your tools. You also need a new filter and seven quarts of 0W-20 oil.
First, you want to run your engine for about five minutes so it reaches the normal operating temperature. If you are using jacks or mini ramps
to get the car up a little higher, follow safety rules. Turn the car off, open the hood, then you move to the main steps: Take off the oil fill cap and set it aside—this helps the oil drain faster
Get under the car by the engine, remove the drain bolt and washer, then let the old oil run out into the drain pan
While the oil is draining, take out the old filter—make sure you don’t leave the rubber gasket ring behind
Add a tiny bit of new oil to the new filter’s gasket, then put the new filter in
Once the old oil finishes draining, put the drain bolt back on, along with a new washer
Add the 6.4 quarts of new oil, then replace the fill cap
You’ll want to run your car for about 30 seconds to let the oil move through the engine, then use the dipstick to double-check the oil level. If needed, add more oil, and check to make sure there aren’t any leaks. The dashboard’s oil pressure light will go off.
Now for one last thing—cleanup. Don’t toss the oil in your garbage or dump it on the ground to avoid safety issues. Instead, put the used oil in a sealed container and take it to your local recycling center.
And that’s really it! You can save money by doing oil changes yourself, plus you’ll keep your 2013 Lexus RX 350 running better and longer by staying on top of the maintenance schedule
. "As a young person who owns a sports car and a high-end sedan, I couldn’t find quotes below a certain threshold. By using Jerry
, I managed to find full comprehensive coverage on both vehicles and saved $150 a month!” —Channing Y.
4.7
We value your privacy
