Oil Change 5th Gen: How To- LOTS of PICS!

[catrains]

Toyotacare 5k service is only tire rotation and fluid check, which I didn't need. As others have said, some parts on the car are also very prone to being stripped or damaged if the service is done carelessly, and I didn't want to risk that on my new car.

if you can do the oil changes and tire rotations this will cost YOU less time and potential damage..

I did my tire rotations at 10K miles tires perfect. also oil changes I do very carefully and no mess.. not a Toyota owner till 2016 .. it is more work than on a GM vehicle older models but works good..

no cover bolts broken , no lug nuts popping off , and NO vibrations from the rotations ..

runner runs good uses no oil ,no leaks .. did the rear diff oil @3K miles nasty gray color ..I doubt dealership would do my rear diff oil change ....or even check it also the tranny fluid level check ..

IMO dealership gets Toyota $$$ when they get your runner in the shop for service.but do they do ALL the fluid checks ...I am not gonna take that chance to find out if they do actually do it..

If I did I would put paint marks on all the fill plugs to see it they did anything ..

 

[Rapid_Amble]

I just used this post to change the oil a little early! Used Pennzoil Platinum 0w20 sourced locally at Home Depot and OEM filter. Think I'm going to try a Fumoto valve.

Very easy to do with the step-by-steps here, thanks.

 

[fsroader]

I suggest getting one of these;

Form a Funnell. Saves the mess on oil changes / filters / cartridges.

https://www.amazon.com/FORM-FUNNEL-...1523154241&sr=8-1&keywords=form+a+funnel&th=1

When you drop the cartridge no mess!

I use one of these on my Harley and now only make a small mess.

 

[fsroader]

Because they strip bolts and f it up all the time.

Mine hasn’t been back to the dealer since I bought it - except when hey had to program a new key.

Agreed. I never takes my cars or bikes back to the dealers if I can help it. The free stuff is only free if They dont screw something up. There is also the time and inconvenience . I do my 1st oil changes around 1000 mi and at least twice as often as recommended. I'd like to think that whoever gets my stuff is getting a quality used vehicle.

 

[kaikaikai]

if you can do the oil changes and tire rotations this will cost YOU less time and potential damage..

I did my tire rotations at 10K miles tires perfect. also oil changes I do very carefully and no mess.. not a Toyota owner till 2016 .. it is more work than on a GM vehicle older models but works good..

no cover bolts broken , no lug nuts popping off , and NO vibrations from the rotations ..

runner runs good uses no oil ,no leaks .. did the rear diff oil @3K miles nasty gray color ..I doubt dealership would do my rear diff oil change ....or even check it also the tranny fluid level check ..

IMO dealership gets Toyota $$$ when they get your runner in the shop for service.but do they do ALL the fluid checks ...I am not gonna take that chance to find out if they do actually do it..

If I did I would put paint marks on all the fill plugs to see it they did anything ..

Umm, yes I think we are in agreement here? My post was saying the same as yours; that I'd rather do my own maintenance. :tea::tea:

 

[tackleberry1145]

Thanks for the write up Antman!

It's not rocket science, but it is helpful to have a guide before doing this for the first time.

My only gripe is that I miss my top mounted oil filter that was on my FJ, lol. Way simpler and cleaner to deal with than this cartridge mess on my 14 Trail.

 

[J.F. Sebastian]

Well I heard of how kooky an oil change is on one of these but now it's known, thanks Antman.

Easiest oil changes I've ever done were on my old 2005 VW PD TDI. Top-mounted, screw-off canister filter and many people used Pela marine oil extractors to suck essentially all the oil out through the dipstick tube. Screw a new filter in, fill with oil and enjoy.

I don't trust a dealership to do this without cocking something up at some point and sincerely hope I'm wrong.

 

[unsub1]

Well dammit. Halfway through my first oil change on the 4runner and am stuck. I let the dealer do the very first change before my big trip and the over-torqued the CRAP out of the filter. Having to have a friend pick me up so we can try to hunt down a Toyota-specific oil filter wrench. Just broke a strap-wrench and the regular 64mm wrench ain't doing jack.

The bummer is that I'm putting on a BP spin-on adapter so I won't even need this wrench again if I do find it. UGH.

Great guide. Thank you.

 

[J.F. Sebastian]

Well dammit. Halfway through my first oil change on the 4runner and am stuck. I let the dealer do the very first change before my big trip and the over-torqued the CRAP out of the filter. Having to have a friend pick me up so we can try to hunt down a Toyota-specific oil filter wrench. Just broke a strap-wrench and the regular 64mm wrench ain't doing jack.

Have been scouting oil change supplies and a pair of RhinoRamps, found these canister wrenches and couldn't pass one up with a 25% discount. They look well-designed, well-made and better coverage than the standard units.

 

[unsub1]

Well, my buddy rescued me and as much as I hate the AutoZone near my house, they had some cheap oil filter wrench for our filters and after some SERIOUS cranking with a breaker bar, I got that damn thing off and my BP spin-on adapter on. Man that thing is nice. Hoping that and the Fumoto valve will make things much smoother next time.

Thanks again for the great guide!

 

[tackleberry1145]

I picked this up for my 14 when I got my Trail last year. It took a year to hit 10k to change my oil, lol, but I just used it and it worked perfectly. It's unavailable right now, but IIRC it comes back in stock kind of frequently.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01L5PW0R4/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[felonius]

Does anyone know the size and thread of the 12mm bolts that hold the 'oil skid plate'?

I had both my bolts snap off due to rust.



Thank you!

 

[Rapid_Amble]

Does anyone know the size and thread of the 12mm bolts that hold the 'oil skid plate'?

I had both my bolts snap off due to rust.



Thank you!

This one? https://www.partsdiscounters.com/oem-parts/toyota-under-cover-bolt-9008011373

Haven't seen specific thread info though.

 

[1000MPH]

Does anyone know the size and thread of the 12mm bolts that hold the 'oil skid plate'?

I had both my bolts snap off due to rust.



Thank you!

Aren't they the same as the Skid Plate Bolts?

SKID PLATE BOLT 9008011373
LOWER COVER BOLT 9010906330

 

[thennen]

Thanks!

:bravo:Very, very nice, Antman! Excellent job, and thank you for the info!

I know this is 5 years old, but I'm very new to here, and currently drive a 3rd Gen, so this info is new to me. My life has only consisted of one-hand filter removals (unless stuck). BUT, I hope/plan to purchase a new TRDOR in the next couple months, in which case I'm sure I'll be doing this soon.

I do have a question for you, or for anyone who knows: why did Toyota change to this type of filtering system? I've owned Toyotas since 1982, and despite the opinions of some irritated souls out there, I know Toyota wouldn't switch to something like this unless unless it was better. It's certainly more complex, and more expensive to build. But that's not why they did it.

So thanks in advance, and again, great write-up!

 

[fsroader]

Have been scouting oil change supplies and a pair of RhinoRamps, found these canister wrenches and couldn't pass one up with a 25% discount. They look well-designed, well-made and better coverage than the standard units.

Thanx,I agree they do look good. I just ordered the drain & wrench kit.The 25% discount made it less than anywhere else, even with shipping.

 

[Mutant138]

Got the Fumoto F-103N with the spout thinking it would be great for clean oil changes. it hangs down uncomfortably close to the skid plate and I cannot recommend anyone who is going to use their skid plates to get this.

I will be either cut the spout off, get a different model, or go back to magnetic drain bolts.

Waste of ****ing money and I'm agitated someone would actually recommend this for the 5th gen. (Not sure what thread recommended it. But I would like to slap you for the 30 bucks I wasted.)

 

[Rapid_Amble]

Got the Fumoto F-103N with the spout thinking it would be great for clean oil changes. it hangs down uncomfortably close to the skid plate and I cannot recommend anyone who is going to use their skid plates to get this.

I will be either cut the spout off, get a different model, or go back to magnetic drain bolts.

Waste of ****ing money and I'm agitated someone would actually recommend this for the 5th gen. (Not sure what thread recommended it. But I would like to slap you for the 30 bucks I wasted.)

They sell a similar one with a shorter end. I don’t remember the model name but if you use their selection finder on their web page it comes up.

 

[Mutant138]

They sell a similar one with a shorter end. I don’t remember the model name but if you use their selection finder on their web page it comes up.

Yeah I seen that when I went to purchase. It's my fault for trusting what I read on the internet without verifying. I would just cut the spout off the one I have before I spend another 30 bucks.

 

[tls3601]

Ok so my other half bought 0W-30 Mobil 1 Synehtic and being so tired the night I changed it and the filter I did not notice till now. How bad is this? I know it calls for 0W-20. Dealer said no biggie unless the vehicle will be subject to below 15-20 degree temps constantly. Opinions? My bad, must be way overdue for next weeks getaway to Telluride!!