2015 was the last year Lexus produced the IS 250 (before focusing on the IS 300 and IS 350). This small luxury car has a powerful engine and a reliable performance rating. To keep your IS 250 in tip-top shape, you’ve got to know the engine oil capacity, which is either 6.6 or 6.8 quarts.

Any good car owner will tell you how important

regular maintenance

is. Oil changes are definitely on the to-do list! To save time and money, you can change the oil in your Lexus IS in the comfort of your garage.

We’ll show you how much oil you need, what type to buy, and how to perform an oil change. Let’s get started!

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How to save on Lexus IS 250 insurance costs

2015 Lexus IS 250 engine oil capacity

If you think you’re low on engine oil or plan to change the oil yourself, you’ve got to know your car’s engine oil capacity. So, how much oil does the Lexus IS 250 need?

Oil capacity depends on your car’s drivetrain. If you’re driving a rear-wheel-drive IS 250, your engine has an oil capacity of 6.6 quarts (or 6.2 liters) with the filter. If you’ve got an all-wheel-drive IS 250, the oil capacity is 6.8 quarts (or 6.4 liters) with the filter.

Don’t confuse the “2.5 liter” part of the V6 engine with the engine oil capacity. In this case, 2.5 refers to the engine displacement—the volume the engine cylinders take up, not the amount of oil the engine requires.

What kind of oil does a 2015 Lexus IS 250 need?

If you’ve ever stood in the oil aisle at an auto parts store, you know there are an overwhelming number of oil types. Instead of grabbing any 5-quart bottle of oil, look for Toyota Genuine Motor Oil or an equivalent ILSAC GF-5 multigrade engine oil.

Once you’ve narrowed down oil by brand, choose one with a 0W-20 viscosity. Viscosity is how thick the oil is, and the “W” in the formula means winter. The 0 before it shows that the oil has a low viscosity or thickness when the engine starts up, and the number 20 is the viscosity at a higher temperature.

These viscosity numbers show the oil performs well in cold weather, and the low viscosity protects your engine from unnecessary wear and tear.

These are the oil types

Lexus

recommends for the 2015 Lexus IS 250, and it’s always a good idea to follow the manufacturer’s recommendation. Although Lexus recommends multigrade oil (a blend of synthetic oil with a viscosity improver additive), you can use synthetic oil as long as it has the same 0W-20 viscosity.

MORE: How much should an oil change cost?

How often to change the oil on a 2015 Lexus IS 250

You know the basics—how much and what type of oil your IS 250 needs. Now, you’re all set to

change your oil

Before you jump into it, ensure your Lexus needs an oil change. Lexus recently changed their recommendations about oil change frequency, and they announced that Lexus vehicles using synthetic 0W-20 oil only need oil changes every 10,000 miles or every 12 months (whichever comes first).

Even though you can go an extended length of time between oil changes, don’t forget to check the oil level and condition regularly—about once a month—and top it off if it needs it. Here are some other signs that it’s time to change your oil:

The oil looks dark brown or black (it should look light brown or amber)

The oil feels gritty or coarse when you rub it between your fingers

You hear strange engine noises

You smell something new, like smoke or burning oil

Your Lexus is performing worse when you drive it

MORE:

Are Lexus expensive to maintain?

How to change your oil and oil filter

Now for the fun part! When you’re ready to change your car’s oil, get out your supplies—a socket wrench, a funnel, a drain pan, and a filter wrench. You’ll also need a 5-quart bottle of multigrade 0W-20 engine oil and a replacement filter.

Let your Lexus engine run for a few minutes, so the temperature reaches normal. Then, turn off the engine, pop the hood, and follow these steps:

Unscrew the oil fill cap and set it aside (where it won’t get lost)

Slide under the car and remove the oil drain bolt and washer

Let the old oil drain into a drain pan

Replace the old filter with a new one (use a wrench to tighten the filter according to the manufacturer’s instructions)

Pour new oil into the engine and screw the oil fill cap back on

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Switch your engine on and let it run for around 30 seconds, so the new oil gets into the new filter. Then, turn off the engine and check the dipstick to see if you added enough engine oil. If not, just top it off!

Now is also an excellent time to check for leaks. You should also reset your dashboard oil change light.

You’re almost done! Instead of tossing the old oil into the trash or pouring it out, put it in a sealed container and take it to your local recycling center.