I am going to change my own oil.

[Stephanie]

Ok fellows, my 4Runner has only 300 miles on it; and I want my 2007 Sport, 6 Cyl, 4WD to last 200,000 miles, so I am going to change the oil more often than the 5,000 recommendation.

I haven't looked yet, but I understand I don't need to drop the skid plate to get to the oil plug. Right?

Is there a plastic something over the oil plug? How do I take that off?

Should I try to take the filter off from under the hood or from completely under the engine while I am on my back on the ground?

And which Repair Manual is the best to buy? The Official 4-Volume manual from Toyota is $500! Do I need all that to show me how to change windshield wipers and change the oil?
Thanks,

 

[Jeff Kleb]

Dear lady,

I applaud you for wanting to keep your "new" 4Runner in tip-top condition by maintaining it rigorously. Props to you for that! Not only will it preserve your resale value, but it will do your heart some good knowing that your 'baby' is getting the best of care.

I have a 2005 V6 SR5 4x4 with 29,000 miles and it runs like a dream. I do my own oil & filter changes and can tell you that it is extremely easy. Even a girl can do it. {Just kidding!!!!}
:awais:

First of all, the little oval-shaped plastic piece in the center of the skid plate will pop right out with a screwdriver or even a strong fingernail. No problem there. Once you remove it, look up in there and the oil pan bolt will be staring down at you.

(NOTE: After you are finished and re-install that little plastic thing, be sure that the arrow and "FRONT" marking indeed face forward. Otherwise, you'll lose it in about five minutes of driving.)

Also, you need to be sure that you pop the oil drain plug for the ENGINE -- rather than the automatic transmission. They may look the same when you are underneath your car!

The oil filter on the V6 4Runner is also very easy to change. It sits atop the engine on the driver's side. When you remove it, be sure that the little "catch tray" around it has the rubber stopper in the drain hole. Otherwise, your old, dirty oil will leak all over the left side of your engine. Not good!!

When you drain the oil from the "catch tray" by the filter, use a small plastic water bottle to keep it from spilling all over the place. After you get all the old filter oil captured in the plastic bottle, put back the little rubber stopper and wipe down the whole area surrounding the filter before you install the new one. Before you screw on the new oil filter, be sure to rub down the gasket with a tiny bit of oil - what is on your fingertip should suffice. This lets it seal a bit better.


I recommend doing your first oil change between 1500 and 2000 miles, and then every 3,000 - 4,000 miles after that. Use dino oil the first time and then switch over to a good synthetic 5w30 oil; such as Mobil-1, Castrol Syntec, Amsoil, etc., etc. Heck, even the Wal-Mart brand {Super Tech} is of good quality and is sold at a reasonable price.

Don't forget the "crush washer" for your oil pan bolt. They cost about 75 cents at the local stealership.

Good luck! Let us know how it turns out, okay?
:bash:

- Top left view of engine compartment and oil filter -

- Closer view of oil filter on 2005 4.0L V6 -

 

[Jeff Kleb]

Oh, here are some pics of my ride. Hey, I had to brag a little.....okay?

She's mine until January when my 3-year lease expires. I really like it, but have a craving for a new Mustang GT. I have owned three of them in the past and feel the urge to re-live my younger days.

2005 Toyota 4Runner SR5

2005 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.0L DOHC V6

 

[Stephanie]

Thanks Jeff for all the great pictures and information. You are a wizard! The oil filter is really convenient it looks like.

Do I need a new crush washer every time?

I forgot to ask, where should I put a hydrolic bottle jack under the front? Or do I need to jack it up to drain the oil out?

And thanks for the tip about changing the oil the first time at around 1500 miles, - will do!

 

[Stephanie]

And Jeff, Thanks for posting the pictures of your Titanium Silver machine. And good luck with your new Mustang. Is the GT and Shelby the same thing?

 

[gizmopt2002]

Oh, here are some pics of my ride. Hey, I had to brag a little.....okay?

She's mine until January when my 3-year lease expires. I really like it, but have a craving for a new Mustang GT. I have owned three of them in the past and feel the urge to re-live my younger days.

Jeff...You're experiencing what people call a "mid-life crisis" Eventually you'll come to your sense and come back here. Luckily, I have about 25 years before that happens, by then I'll be buying jet motorcycles or salt-water fueled FreeRunners.

 

[brad6841]

Not to hijack this thread.......

Does anybody have a trick for changing the oil filter on the V8, other than removing the front skid plate......

 

[gizmopt2002]

And Jeff, Thanks for posting the pictures of your Titanium Silver machine. And good luck with your new Mustang. Is the GT and Shelby the same thing?

The GT and Shelby are very different. The Shelby is different in aerodynamic and physical and also power wise (oh and price). The Shelby is more around 40k, very aerodynamic, and very powerful (not that the GT isn't). The GT is your traditional looking mustang with a few minor physical changes.

I'm pretty sure thats the difference, but I'm not a mustang fan, so I'm sure Jeff can prove me wrong.

 

[gizmopt2002]

Not to hijack this thread.......

Does anybody have a trick for changing the oil filter on the V8, other than removing the front skid plate......

Filter bypass! Like Koz (I think) did, thats the only way I know of.

 

[jharris2]

Thanks Jeff for all the great pictures and information. You are a wizard! The oil filter is really convenient it looks like.

Do I need a new crush washer every time?

I forgot to ask, where should I put a hydrolic bottle jack under the front? Or do I need to jack it up to drain the oil out?

And thanks for the tip about changing the oil the first time at around 1500 miles, - will do!

You probably won't need to jack it up to get underneath -- just slide under there. If you do jack it up, be sure to put it on jack stands for safety.

 

[Jeff Kleb]

1. No need to "jack up" the 4Runner in order to change the oil. Keep it on level ground so that the most amount of oil will drain out. Don't forget to do your oil change when the engine is hot.

2. You might not need a crush washer on the oil drain plug every time you change the oil, but I use one anyway -- just for cheap insurance and peace of mind.


3. The Mustang GT and the Shelby are two very different versions of the same car. The GT is the 'base' V8 Mustang (comes in two trim levels -- Deluxe and Premium), while the Shelby, Saleen, Roush and Steeda Mustangs are the "elite" of the bunch. {Of course, the V6-powered 'regular' Mustang remains the favorite horse in the stable for your librarian and secretary types.}

While the Shelby version of the Mustang offers some extra horsepower and plenty of cosmetic goodies, I can't justify seeing someone spend 40k+ for a Mustang. For that kind of dough, you are squarely into the price range for base models of the Chevrolet Corvette.
:bash:

4. Yeah, mid-life crisis it is......but I figure I better have it before my son goes to college. I love my 4Runner, but never go off road and have fallen in love with the body style of the new Mustang.

 

[Baba Booey]

Because you have a 4WD and are going to be changing your own oil, you may want to read some posts here about lubing the propeller (drive) shafts. There are six grease fittings (zerks) that should be maintained when you change your oil. It is less difficult than changing your oil.

DO NOT CRAWL UNDER A VEHICLE SUPPORTED ONLY BY A JACK!!!!:awais:

 

[<<<<]

Stephanie, if you need jacks for oil change - dont bother. I use these ramps. You prop them against front tires, drive up, set parking brake, change oil, drive down and you're done. No jacks no stands and no fuss. You can get these at Walmart for $30 (just get TRUCK model).

 

[Stephanie]

I crawled under the engine a minute ago. So far, I cannot tell where the oil plug hole is.

I already have a bottle jack, but I don't know where to put it. It is probably a good idea to get the ramps from Walmart to look underneath.

And after I find the oil plug, I can probably maneuver around enough without a jack or ramps.

When I find it, I'm going to take a picture and post it here.

 

[jeober]

You don't need a bottle jack or ramps. Maybe someone in person could help you with the first oil change?

 

[Stephanie]

Joeber, Yes, I need some help locating the oil plug.

And what in the world is that picture of yours? Is that some kind of World War II Army Truck?

 

[<<<<]

If you go with bottle jack make sure you have jack STANDS. Do not climb under there while supported by jack only, it's dangerous as hell.

 

[Jacobzky]

get a ramp, it will be much easier. Kudos to you for taking the initiative to do your own oil change, you will be glad you did it yourself. good luck.

 

[Stephanie]

I'm going tonight to the Dealer, they are serving h'dourves for all the new car owners. They are supposed to tell us how to maintain our new car. Maybe I will learn something.

 

[jharris2]

I'm going tonight to the Dealer, they are serving h'dourves for all the new car owners. They are supposed to tell us how to maintain our new car. Maybe I will learn something.

Pass along what they tell you. It wouldn't be surprising if what they tell you is to bring it in every 3,000 miles for them to service it.