I did my first oil change for my 06 4Runner with 1500 miles over the weekend and used synthetic oil for the very first time in any of my cars.

The factory-installed oil filter was very very hard to take out that I had to use a pipe wrench. Drain and installed an OEM oil filter (Part #90915-YZZD3) and put in 5.5 quarts of Mobil 1 5W30 synthetic oil. I just hand-tightened the oil filter and the oil drain plug and checked a few hours later for leaks and didn't find any.

As a reference for my future oil changes, what is the torque setting for the oil drain plug and the oil filter?

When I checked the oil level, I had a hard time seeing where the oil level is on the dip stick. The oil seems very light in color compared to dyno oil that I use with my other cars. I put in 5.5 quarts and kinda worried that I put too much knowing that some oil was left in the oil pan.

When is the right time to measure the oil level... when the engine is hot or when it is cold?

On the drive to work this morning, my wife noticed that the engine sounds little bit quieter. That's how supposed to be, right?

the oil filter, i hand tight it and turn it 3/4 to 1 after filter rubber gasket make contact. as for the drain plug, i didnt use a torque wrench, just used commone sense, tight but not so tight. i did have a hard time loosening the drain plug the first time too.

for the drain plug torque required, im not sure if i read it as 34 ft. lbs. if my memory serve me right. i hope someone confirm this.

i check oil level a few minutes after shutting down engine.

to your last question, dont you jus love synthetics?

Oil filter, hand tighten as much as I can usually about 3/4 turn after the gasket makes contact. Drain plug hand tighten as well for myself, but 30 or so ft-lbs sound about right.

Oil level it's best to check after it's been running for a couple minutes, so it's been fully circulated throughout. (But turn the engine off when checking though--we were wondering why the oil seemed high in shop class in high school when checked it with the engine running. ) Some '05+ Tacoma V6 owners on another forum have drilled out the dimples and sanded in some hash marks to help with the readings.

Oil filter - 3/4th turn

Drain plug - 33ft/lbs

I got that spec off Honda/Acura...
...and I've been doing it to my Camry & Civic as well.

My FSM states 29 ft-lbs for the oil drain plug on the V8 engine. Even though I own two torque wrenches, I do not bother for this application.