T4R oil changes, generation to generation -Method to Toyota's madness

Nuke said:

I've owned a 2nd gen and 3rd gen T4R, both of which required removal of the skid plate to get to the typical spin-on filter. A pita but not bad for most DIY folks but I'm sure a few of those paid the dealership.

The 4th gen, which I still own, has the spin-on filter high on the engine where you could literally pop the hood and put your hand on it without your torso being in the engine compartment or even under the hood. Easy, simple filter changes. I don't even have to go up on ramps to drain the oil, despite it being a little tight. Even non-DIY'ers were probably doing their own oil changes. The shop must have been losing money. Along comes the 5th gen. I can hear the discussion in that smoky conference room...

"We're losing easy oil change money due to the 4th gen! What shall we do?"

"Let's not only put the filter back under the skid plate, but make it a cartridge filter that is a major pita! Even the old DIY geezers will pay the shop!"

I'm on the long side of 65, had open heart surgery 9 weeks ago but ill be damned if I'm paying a shop. Thank God my wife is out of town or she'd be reading me the riot act for wrenching against doctor's orders. Our 5th gen was overdue and I HAD forgotten what a pita it is! But it's done! :becky:

Up yours, Toyota! You're not getting me that easily! :whipping2

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spartacus said:

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I have a 3rd Gen also but I never take off the skids to do the oil filter, it's fairly easy from the top.

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spartacus said:

you can get a spin on adapter kit.
Spin-On Oil Filter Adapter Archives - Baxter Performance

I have a 3rd Gen also but I never take off the skids to do the oil filter, it's fairly easy from the top.

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ElectroBoy said:

Hmmm, on my 2000 3rd Gen I could sneak the oil filter out from the driver side wheel well, after popping off the rubber splash guard.

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ElectroBoy said:

Hmmm, on my 2000 3rd Gen I could sneak the oil filter out from the driver side wheel well, after popping off the rubber splash guard.

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rightyouareken said:

Do you have bionic arms? Man I hated the oil filter location on the 3rd gen. Easily the most annoying oil change of any vehicle I've had.

Strangely, the easiest is my E36 BMW M3. Cartridge style metal filter housing accessible from the engine bay with zero dripping mess.

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Nuke said:

I've owned a 2nd gen and 3rd gen T4R, both of which required removal of the skid plate to get to the typical spin-on filter. A pita but not bad for most DIY folks but I'm sure a few of those paid the dealership.

The 4th gen, which I still own, has the spin-on filter high on the engine where you could literally pop the hood and put your hand on it without your torso being in the engine compartment or even under the hood. Easy, simple filter changes. I don't even have to go up on ramps to drain the oil, despite it being a little tight. Even non-DIY'ers were probably doing their own oil changes. The shop must have been losing money. Along comes the 5th gen. I can hear the discussion in that smoky conference room...

"We're losing easy oil change money due to the 4th gen! What shall we do?"

"Let's not only put the filter back under the skid plate, but make it a cartridge filter that is a major pita! Even the old DIY geezers will pay the shop!"

I'm on the long side of 65, had open heart surgery 9 weeks ago but ill be damned if I'm paying a shop. Thank God my wife is out of town or she'd be reading me the riot act for wrenching against doctor's orders. Our 5th gen was overdue and I HAD forgotten what a pita it is! But it's done! :becky:

Up yours, Toyota! You're not getting me that easily! :whipping2

Click to expand...