1st oil change on the runner- got a question

[General Lee]

I do all my own oil changes, but this is my first on a 4runner. I crawled underneath and found a small oval plastic plate which I thought was to gain access the the oil pan. I rmoved the plate as it just snaps in and saw the smallest oil pan I have ever seen.

My question is what I saw... is that the oil pan? I thought I read on here about some changing oil from the top but I never had heard of that before. Do you have to remove that small oval plate to gain access to the oil pan. Thanks for any help.

 

[alpha]

From what I understand, the oil drain plug access is behind that oval plastic cover in the skidplate. I haven't done the oil change yet either, as the last two oil changes I've had were done by the dealership. But I will be doing it within the next couple weeks, after I pick up another couple thousand miles and then switch to synthetic. So I believe that is where it is, but I'd also like some confirmation.

 

[tipotex]

Yep, on the V6 the crankcase drain plug is reached by popping off the oval plastic bit. The only thing up top is the oil filter...

 

[General Lee]

Ok, thanks.. So the runners have an overly small oil pan? Just want to make sure that is what I was looking at.

 

[schneidermj]

Ok, thanks.. So the runners have an overly small oil pan? Just want to make sure that is what I was looking at.

It's not that it's a "small oil pan", it's actually an extension to insure the oil collects in one spot for easy/complete draining (compared to a flat sqaure pan). I think it's a smart design.

 

[RickyCRX]

Ok, thanks.. So the runners have an overly small oil pan? Just want to make sure that is what I was looking at.

I don't know about the V6's, but my V8 holds ~7 quarts of oil!!