First oil change on '04 V8

[JB.]

Re: The OEM washer

The OEM washer (composite of some sort) was really stuck to the bottom of the oil drain plug (14mm IIRC). I used a chisel to separate it from the plug (the factory gorilla probably caused this bond).

Just did my first change in an 05. I tried a bit with a screwdriver and ended up just leaving the old washer on with the new washer. The factory gorilla must have had his duties cut back because that was the only tight part. The filter was way easy.

I wanted to say thanks for this thread. It made the process a lot easier.

P.S. They sure did equip your 4runner with a nicer skidplate than they did mine.

 

[JB.]

Regarding the oil capacity; 7 quarts brings it up to the full mark on the dipstick. Apparently, Toyota applied the long overdue logic of specifying halfway between the limits (6.5) instead of at the top end where an additional amount could be detrimental.

 

[PROZAC]

I am not about to break out the lab equipment to ensure that I am pouring exactly 6.5 quarts.

I am still from the old school. I purchase 7 quarts, DONE.

Fill up the filter with oil, screw it on, and pour.

BTW, why does synth cost so damn much at the dealer.

Another thing, how can ANYONE be 100% sure that the dealer (junior tech) actually poured synth into her.

I haven't hit my 5k mark, though will go in with 7 quarts of Mobil 1 synth and ask for the empties... but still, shy of watching... there just is no way to tell.

 

[Kanab]

I am not about to break out the lab equipment to ensure that I am pouring exactly 6.5 quarts.

I am still from the old school. I purchase 7 quarts, DONE.

Fill up the filter with oil, screw it on, and pour.

BTW, why does synth cost so damn much at the dealer.

Another thing, how can ANYONE be 100% sure that the dealer (junior tech) actually poured synth into her.

I haven't hit my 5k mark, though will go in with 7 quarts of Mobil 1 synth and ask for the empties... but still, shy of watching... there just is no way to tell.

I just have the dealer do the oil change and I have them use the dino oil. The Toyota 4.7 V8 is very very very easy on oil. If you use the dino and oem filter and change it every 5K miles your 4.7 V8 will last forever. It really is a waste of money to use synthetic in the 4.7 V8, unless you are doing extended OCI.

 

[Larry]

Pitbull, the V8 is better than just 'easy on the oil'. The 2UZFE V8 may be the best all around engine of its size in the world. It does not sludge up, eat water pumps and valve train parts and lives for a long time. When I bought my new 03 4Runner I looked at the V6 but because it was a new engine I never considered it. The V8 is just too good not to consider when buying a Toyota.

Maybe this oil change thread will convince owners to try it. You might just enjoy the idea that you got the oil and filter you purchased really made it into the engine.

 

[Boaz]

BTW, why does synth cost so damn much at the dealer.

Another thing, how can ANYONE be 100% sure that the dealer (junior tech) actually poured synth into her.

I haven't hit my 5k mark, though will go in with 7 quarts of Mobil 1 synth and ask for the empties... but still, shy of watching... there just is no way to tell.

I dont trust any dealership/quick lube, I prefer to do it myself now. I know its done right and I kind of enjoy doing my own maintenance.

 

[Larry]

At a dealership, the low man in the pecking order gets stuck with work like changing oil. Don't get upset about that. They need to learn and make their mistakes somewhere and you should be happy to help out. Someday this oil change guy might become a mechanic...someday. And the dealership has an oil pump with a dial on it. They set the amount for a given vehicle and push the button and it fills the crankcase. You get what ever 5w-30 (or maybe 10w-30 or even 30WHD) bulk oil they purchased and they throw the bottles you supplied in their tool box. If you ask for the bottles back you're being a pain. Now someone has to empty the oil out somewhere just to give you the bottles back. The shop is happy to handle customer supplied oil. They can use it for their own vehicles. You can bet that they don't all use the stuff they put into customer cars. After all some of these mechanics car about their own cars.

 

[Boaz]

At a dealership, the low man in the pecking order gets stuck with work like changing oil. Don't get upset about that. They need to learn and make their mistakes somewhere and you should be happy to help out. Someday this oil change guy might become a mechanic...someday. And the dealership has an oil pump with a dial on it. They set the amount for a given vehicle and push the button and it fills the crankcase. You get what ever 5w-30 (or maybe 10w-30 or even 30WHD) bulk oil they purchased and they throw the bottles you supplied in their tool box. If you ask for the bottles back you're being a pain. Now someone has to empty the oil out somewhere just to give you the bottles back. The shop is happy to handle customer supplied oil. They can use it for their own vehicles. You can bet that they don't all use the stuff they put into customer cars. After all some of these mechanics car about their own cars.

LOL so true! I bet alot of good customer bought syn oil goes into mechanics hands!

 

[sprale]

Thanks for the great writeup! I always was a Toyota guy until my wife wanted all the cush of a luxo vehicle. I steered her from a BMW or Benz to a Lexus GX470 since I trust Toyota. Only trouble is, Lexus guys don't do their own mechanical maintenance, so the Lexus forums are full of 'my new wheels' and 'NAV how-to' threads. The GX is mostly 4Runner underneath, Land Cruiser in Europe and Australia, so mechanicals are easy enough.