How to Check the Oil in Your Lexus
By cooling the engine, providing lubrication for various elements, and cleaning the engine in your Lexus model, oil is shown to be a versatile and important fluid in your car. Between appointments to change this liquid, you should check its level and condition in your vehicle. Our Service Department at McGrath Lexus of Westmont is here to show you how it’s done.
Preparation
Although you may want to get the oil check over quickly, the fact remains that you need to set the stage before starting. Begin by turning your car off and letting it sit for about 10 minutes before you lift the hood. That will help give the Lexus ES 350, GX 550, or RX 350 time to cool down. You must also make certain the car is placed on level ground or your reading will not be accurate. As you’re waiting for the drivetrain in the vehicle to get cooler, take a paper towel from your kitchen or a rag from your garage and bring it out to your working area. At this point, lift the hood and secure it in place.
Checking Your Oil Level
When you’re looking at your drivetrain, you should start by identifying the location of your dipstick. This item is a long and skinny piece of metal with a plastic handle. The part that you grasp is usually brightly colored, helping you identify it. If you’re having trouble locating it, then you can always read your Owner’s Manual. Once you retrieve the dipstick, pull it out from its placement and clean it off using a towel. At this point, locate the markings on the metal piece. One should indicate a minimum reading near the end that goes into the oil reservoir. The other should be slightly higher, toward the direction of the handle. Clean the metal piece off and place it back into the reservoir. You are always welcome to schedule an appointment with us to check or change your oil if you’re not feeling certain.
Final Steps
Retrieve the dipstick from your car once again and lay it against your towel without cleaning it off. That way, you can take a direct reading of the amount of oil that is in your car. If it’s below the minimum line, then you need to add oil or your Lexus could suffer serious damage. Your car may also have too much of the liquid, requiring the excess to be drained. Should you find the reading to be adequate, then move on to looking at the condition of the fluid. If you notice a foul smell, excessively dark fluid, or the presence of debris, then you should make a note of the mileage and have your oil changed. Our Parts Department has the oil and other equipment you need to perform the task on your own. Of course, if you’d rather not climb under your vehicle or lack the space to do so at your home, then reach out to us to find a time that works for you to get it done by our Lexus-trained professionals.
Summary of Checking the Oil in Your Lexus
- Let the Lexus sit for 10 minutes to cool
- Lift the hood and secure it
- Retrieve the dipstick and clean it off
- Reinsert the dipstick and then take it out again
- Read the measure of oil in the reservoir
- Observe the condition of the oil, looking for discoloration or debris
- Determine whether your oil level and condition is adequate
- Call our Service Department for aid, if needed
Dealership Information
Testimonials
Wonderful experience at McGrath Lexus !
“ Great sales person, Katlin T. Appreciated her understanding and patience and knowledge! Even put on my license plate herself!! Wow! ”
“ Extremely professional! ”
“ My son and I had an amazing experience buying his car. Awesome service. ”
“ Wonderful experience! ”
“ Wonderful experience working with Jason Sanchez on my purchase of a 22 RX350L last weekend. Everyone from the greeters, to sales, to the business office were professional, friendly, and down to earth. Car buying can be so daunting, but this was easy. No pressure, no pushy add on pitches, no complications. My previous vehicle was purchased at another Lexus dealership, McGrath was superior in everyway. Very happy with my new to me RX, and overall experience. Highly recommend McGrath! ”
“ So easy. So pleasant and so quick. Best buying experience ever ”
“ Kudos to everyone at the dealership that made our purchase so smooth. Everything went as expected without any delays or surprises. Will definitely use McGrath again when the need arises. ”
“ The Lexus LX 570 is one of the most impressive full-size luxury SUVs on the market. From the moment you sit behind the wheel, it feels solid, refined, and powerful. The V8 engine delivers smooth, confident acceleration whether you’re cruising on the highway or towing heavy loads, and the ride quality is exceptionally comfortable for such a large vehicle. Inside, the cabin is beautifully crafted with high-quality materials, plush seating, and a layout that feels both upscale and durable. There’s plenty of space in all three rows, and the rear seats fold down easily to expand cargo room when you need it. Technology features are intuitive and useful, though the infotainment system can feel a bit dated compared with some competitors. Off-road capability is a major strength — the LX 570 handles rough terrain with ease thanks to its rugged chassis, adjustable suspension, and advanced 4WD system. Yet on pavement, it stays composed and quiet, delivering a luxurious ride that makes long drives enjoyable. Overall, the LX 570 is perfect if you want a premium SUV that combines serious capability with comfort and reliability. It’s not the most fuel-efficient choice, and the price is high, but for the level of quality and versatility you get, it’s hard to beat. ”
“ Thanks to Jason Sanchez we had a great experience purchasing a pre-owned vehicle! Jason is knowledgeable, attentive and professional! If you are in need of a pre-owned vehicle, I highly recommend Jason! ”
“ We had a fantastic experience at McGrath Lexus! ”
“ Excellent customer service ”
“ My experience was wonderful with McGrath Lexus of Westmont. Jason Sanchez was extremely helpful from start to finish, making our buying experience truly special. If you’re looking for a pre- owned vehicle I highly recommend asking for Jason. Thank you again! ”
“ Just brought my 8th car from Casey Baca she is beyond amazing her level of service is top notch! Bryan from finance was amazing as well, he got me in and out so fast he was just so personable! Everyone at this dealership makes you feel welcome! ”
“ The entire staff was great to work with. From receptionist, my salesman Nick Ben and the entire group. Knowledgeable courteous professional. My new vehicle is also quince. I would have no qualms referring folks to this Lexus dealership ”
“ Excellent experience, Paul Stewart is very knowledgeable and showed us all of the inventory. Bryan Trinity put us at ease, the process was painless. Thank you soooooo much! ”
“ I came here looking for a GX460 and I was helped by Marilyn Rodriguez, she was really professional, patient and overall a great sales woman. Everybody at Lexus of Westmont made the car buying experience smooth and they all worked together to make it happen for us. I highly recommend Lexus of westmont. ”
“ From shopping to owning to running the navigation system, the folks at McGrath worked together to make my experience smooth and pleasant. Thanks to all of you! ”
“ Where do I begin? By far the best dealership experience I've gone through. Everyone extremely friendly and willing to help. From Michael to Aldo and Joe, they made today the least stressful time I've had. I would recommend 10/10. ”
“ Everything from sales, finance, tech support and service was a stellar experience. Alex, Bryan, Ben and Pablo were great!! I would highly recommend this Lexus dealership to anyone! ”
“ Casey @ McGrath Lexus of Westmont was fantastic! I called to see if they had the SUV I saw online and she said they did and she would have it ready for me for a test drive when I arrive. I got there and the car was ready and we drove it and came back and talked thru the cost and I bought the SUV! It was a breeze!! Loved Casey’s energy, supreme customer service and professionalism! I would absolutely recommend McGrath Lexus of Westmont to ANYONE! ”
“ Best experience I have ever had with a car dealership. Joe Scalia was a great salesman and I never felt pressured to buy. Very knowledgeable about car. I was blown away by how great the car looked when I picked it up. Will definitely recommend to others . Thank you Lexus westmont!! Robin ”
“ Great car buying experience. Met with our salesman Nick Gerlak on Wednesday. He found us a GX550 and we made our deal on Saturday. Everyone was very professional and courteous. We highly recommend Nick. He knows his stuff. ”
“ Great dealership and services ”
“ Best car buying experience I ever had! Especially compared to the other dealerships we visited before we arrived at McGrath Lexus. Those other places were making me think I’d have to sell a car to myself. At Lexus, Bridget was super personable and easy to talk with, and she made sure we were in the exact car we wanted with all the details we requested. AND she did it all so fast. Lexus gets it, from the moment we arrived until I pulled out in my new RX 350, the whole process was so pleasant. Thanks, Bridget! ”
“ Awesome experience. Thanks to Mil in sales and Bryan in finance. They were great to deal with. This review is coming from someone who had terrible experience with prior dealerships. ”
“ I’ve been doing business at McGrath Lexus for 15 years and it’s always a great experience. Pawel Sidorski was great. He was able to get me in and out quickly. Ben the tech guy was the best also! ”
“ I had a very smooth and timely transaction purchasing my Lexus nx 350. Everyone was professional and polite. ”
“ I’m very pleased with the help I received from the sales person and his guidance as I was purchasing a car from out of state. The process was made easy as the sales person kept me informed with the information I needed to get my finances in order and complete my purchase. The McGrath Lexus a top notch dealer with quality personal and easy to work with. ”
“ I had such an amazing experience purchasing my Lexus at Lexus of Westmont! Casey, Mike, and Aldo truly went above and beyond. They were professional, knowledgeable, and made the entire process feel smooth and stress free. I felt supported and genuinely taken care of. What meant the most is that they make you feel like family. From the moment I walked in, I felt welcomed, valued, and appreciated — not just like another sale. Their attention to detail and commitment to exceptional customer service made all the difference. And I absolutely LOVE my car! I couldn’t be happier with my Lexus and the entire experience. Highly recommend asking for Casey at Lexus of Westmont! ”
“ Always friendly and helpful ”
“ Rita was fabulous!! The whole process was smooth, quick, and professional. No pressure and no haggling. Would definitely recommend McGrath! ”
“ Amazing customer service and precision delivery ”
“ I loved working with Lexus of Westmont. I went to this dealership on a whim and left buying a car! From the moment I walked in I was greeted with a warm welcome. This team moves really fast. I was connected with a Sales Advisor immediately - Paul was amazing to work with. He listened very attentively to what I was looking for. People always say it typically takes 3 hours to buy a car - not here. The process was simple - and no one rushed me! I honestly spent a little longer there simply chatting with the team (they were SO nice). The people here make you feel like family. I strongly suggest buying your car from Lexus, of Westmont, you will not be disappointed. Thank you, Paul and the team, for a wonderful experience! I ”
“ My experience was excellent. We were greeted at the door by the person that became our salesman (Ben Swan). The sales experience was low pressure and thorough. We decided to purchase a RX350. No manager had to be called in to finalize the sale. Everything was completed with Ben. When we. picked up the SUV, the business manager (Linda Serpice) completed the purchase process; No pressure to purchase add-ons. It was a pleasant experience. Ben also gave us a tour of their service area where we were introduced to one of the service advisors who told us to call any time with maintenance questions. The service area was incredible in size and cleanliness. ”
“ I have purchased three cars from McGrath Lexus, and I find them to be honest and fair. I purchased the last two cars from Jason, and he's terrific, honest and not pushy. I will continue to purchase vehicles from Jason and McGrath, and I highly recommend them to family and friends. ”
“ Love my sale rep Mel, and Linda in the finance department. I look forward to seeing you guys again! Great dealership ”
“ Mel our sales man and Bryan our financial guy were awesome can’t say enough good things about them so glad we had them to help us through our car deal thank you once again I would refer to them with out any hesitation you guys have a great team thank you ”
“ Staff, Alisa is excellent as she is detailed and knows what you need while buying the car. Also, Nick too great and helpful. I recommend the McGrath Lexus of Westmont for your car purchase. ”
“ Wonderful experience at McGrath Lexus ! Very happy with their knowledgeable team , beautiful and well made cars. ”