Selecting the right oil and oil filter for your Lexus LS 430 or Toyota Celsior is important to maintain proper function of the power unit. Putting the wrong oil and/or filter in your Lexus can lead to increased wear and possibly even total engine failure in extreme cases. Additionally, it is important to make sure that oil and oil filter changes are at regular intervals to keep your LS 430 or Celsior in excellent running condition.
With this being the case, we have put together a quick guide on the best engine oil and oil filters for the LS 430 and Celsior, along with some answers to some other oil related questions. We have also included the recommended service intervals for the oil and oil filter as well.
Table of Contents
What Is the Correct Engine Oil Weight for a Lexus LS 430 or Toyota Celsior?
Before we look at some of the best engine oils for an LS 430 or Celsior, let’s have a quick look at how the oil classification system works.
The number/letter at the front of the “XW-XX” classifications indicates the oil’s viscosity at – 17.8 degrees Celsius (0 degrees Fahrenheit). A lower number means that the oil will thicken less in cooler temperatures.
The two numbers at the end (XX) indicate the viscosity of the oil at 100 degrees Celsius and represent the oil’s resistance to thinning at high temperatures.
If we compare a 5W-30 grade oil vs a 10W-30 grade we will find that the former thickens less in colder weather. However, a 5W-30 grade will thin out quicker at higher temperatures than a 5W-40 grade oil for example.
What this means for your LS 430 or Celsior is that an oil with a lower winter viscosity (XW) is probably better if you live in an environment that is really cold or deal with a lot of cold starts. If you are located in a really hot environment than an oil with a higher viscosity at 100 degrees Celsius may be a better option.
What Is the Best Engine Oil for a Lexus LS 430?
Lexus/Toyota recommend a good quality 5W-30 engine oil for most driving conditions and environments. For really cool environments you may want to go down to a 0W-30 and if you are on the opposite end of the spectrum, something like a 5W-40 or 10W-40 may be a good idea.
Both non-synthetic (dino) and synthetic oils will work, but these days it is generally recommended that you use a good quality full synthetic in one of these cars.
Our Recommendations for the Best Engine Oil for a Lexus LS 430
Below we have put together a list of some of our top recommended oils for a Lexus LS 430 or Toyota Celsior:
Mobil 1 5W-30 Full Synthetic – Best for General Use
Mobil 1’s 5W-30 Full Synthetic engine oils are some of the top recommended for a Lexus LS 430 or Toyota Celsior. This engine oil is formulated for high mileage engines with over 120,000 km (75,000 miles), so it will be perfect for your aging LS 430. The 5W-30 weight will also be great for the majority of driving conditions and is recommended by Lexus.
Castrol Edge 0W-30 Advanced Full Synthetic – Best for Cold Weather
If you need a good quality engine oil for cooler environments and cold weather starts, you can’t go wrong with Castrol Edge’s 0W-30 Advanced Full Synthetic. It is Castrol’s most advanced engine oil and will be perfect for those who need the maximum performance and protection for their LS 430 or Celsior.
Castrol Edge 5W-40 Advanced Full Synthetic – Best for Warm Weather
Castrol’s Advanced Full Synthetic features once more in this article, but this time in a form of a 5W-40 engine oil. This weight of oil will be perfect for those who need a bit more protection and performance at higher operating temperatures.
There are plenty more oils on the market that will be perfect for your Lexus LS 430 or Toyota Celsior. Brands such as Amsoil, Motul and Fuchs provide great solutions, so you should check out them as well. Remember that a 5W-30 engine oil is going to be the best for most general driving conditions, but lower and higher weights can be used as well depending on the environment you live in.
When Does the Oil Need to be Changed on an LS 430 or Celsior?
Depending on who you ask you will get a range of different answers for this question. Lexus recommends replacing the engine oil every 8,000 km (5,000 miles), however, with modern synthetics many owners like to replace the oil every 12,000 km (7,500 miles). If you are using a non-synthetic oil (dino), make sure you stick to Lexus’s service interval.
Lexus recommends replacing the engine oil every 8,000 km (5,000 miles). Many owners follow this rule, but with modern synthetics a service interval of around 12,000 km (7,500 miles) is perfectly fine as well (non-synthetic or dino oils should be replaced at the Lexus recommended service interval).
For those who do not drive that much distance, you should replace the engine oil every 8 – 12 months or so. Some owners like to do it every 6 months, but this is a bit extreme, especially if synthetic oils are used.
If you are wondering if your LS 430 or Celsior can go a bit further between oil changes, we recommend that you send the oil to a laboratory who can assess its condition. They will then be able to tell you if you can go further between changes or if you need to make changes more frequent.
How Much Oil is Needed for an LS 430 or Celsior?
This seems to be a somewhat confusing topic as many owners have different experiences when filling up their cars and even the manuals for the different years give varying answers to the question.
For example, the 2006 manual states to put in 5.1-litres (5.4 quarts), whereas the 2005 one claims you should use around 4.5-litres (4.8 quarts). Some owners have even found that they need around 5.7-litres (6 quarts) to fill up their LS 430 or Celsior. It is not known the exact reason for this discrepancy, but some of it is down to the size/type of oil filter that is used and how long the old oil is allowed to drain.
With the above being the case we recommend that you put in around 4.7-litres (5 quarts) and add more via the dip stick hole if needed. You should also try to find the manual for your specific year and see what that states as well.
Oil Filter for a Lexus LS 430
There is a wide range of oil filters available for the LS 430, but the most recommended ones tend to be the OEM variants. The most recommended filter is Toyota’s 90915-20004, however it is quite difficult to find. Another OEM option is the 90915-YZZD3 oil filter, but this one is seen as lower quality than the 90915-20004 (it is more readily available however).
When Should the Oil Filter Be Changed?
It is recommended that you replace the oil filter with every oil change or every 6 to 12 months if you don’t travel that far. Oil filters are cheap and overtime the filter media can break down, especially if it is submerged in oil for a long time.
If you are interested in buying a Lexus LS 430 or Toyota Celsior or want to know about any common problems, check out our buyer’s guide here.
I’m confused about all the internet chatter a decade back saying the 90915-20004 is discontinued and all the know-it-alls insisting you need $15 filters. This 90915-20004 sells for $4 and is not discontinued. What??
Oh, I see, the “90915-20004” they are selling is really a 90915-YZZD3. Same question though, why are the snobs insisting this is not the best filter?
i have a 2003 lexus ls 430 4.3 what is the best oil for my car