Oil Drain Plug

[Tleahcim]

Hi folks,

I know this sounds like the dumbest question ever but I just wanted to make sure this was the oil drain plug on my V6 before I did something that can't undo.

I figured it was about time I learned how to do this DIY stuff and you've got to start someplace, right?

Thanks!

 

[Mike07SE]

Yep that's it. Make sure you get a new crush washer when you do it. Since the Toyota oil filters are pretty cheap I stick with those and grab a bunch along with washers every couple of months.

 

[leftyguns21]

there was another thread on how to change your own oil...but i cant seem to find it?

 

[riverider]

You really don't need to be and expert to change your own oil and filter on the V6 4Runner. It's a snap. Yeah it's that simple.

 

[riverider]

Well if one keeps reading the posts in this forum, one does become some kind of and expert. But just what kind I really could not say.:

 

[z28gm]

thanks. I was looking for this all morning. my first oil change on my 2009 4x4 v6.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

thanks. I was looking for this all morning. my first oil change on my 2009 4x4 v6.

On the bottom of the 'oil filter cup' is a little rubber cap. Remove the cap and put a little catch bottle under it prior to loosening the oil filter. The V6 T4R is one of the easiest, cleanest DIY oil change vehicles out there...
:cheers:

 

[bste3]

On the oil change topic, what is the oil capacity? I just got mine ('06 v6) and I don't have the owner's manual.

I saw that it recommends 5W-30. My last car required full synthetic. I know this one doesn't require it, but is it worth the investment? I asked a Toyota service guy and he said no. I know a lot of forum-types want only the best for their cars regardless of there truly being a cost/benefit (no offense of course!), so I'm wondering what the thoughts on this are.
-dg

 

[CJ3Flyr]

On the oil change topic, what is the oil capacity? I just got mine ('06 v6) and I don't have the owner's manual.

I saw that it recommends 5W-30. My last car required full synthetic. I know this one doesn't require it, but is it worth the investment? I asked a Toyota service guy and he said no. I know a lot of forum-types want only the best for their cars regardless of there truly being a cost/benefit (no offense of course!), so I'm wondering what the thoughts on this are.
-dg

There's a TSB that allows the use of 5w-20 if you choose. If you live in a brutally cold area that might be a nice idea.


Synthetic or regular? Your choice, lots of good reasons for either choice.

In the beginning of the Maint section there's a couple of stickies, one on interval and the other on synthetic or regular. These two are oil filter threads: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?t=20182 http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?t=8948



My V6 needs about 5.2-5.5 to fill it after an oil change with a new filter.

:cheers:

 

[snhrph]

bste3, IIRC V6 takes 5.5 quarts.

There have been a number of discussions about the benefits or synthetic oil (or lack thereof). I think it comes down to personal preference. I use synthetic since I drive a lot and it allows me to go longer between oil changes, saving me time and money.

If you will change your oil every 5000 miles, then I personally see no reason to spend extra monye for synthetic.

Just my 2 cents...

 

[bste3]

Ah, I really was only thinking of the decision based on protecting the engine/seals/etc, not really about the interval between changes. I do change mine regularly so I will probably just use regular oil.

I've only owned mine for a month so I haven't done anything yet. It only has 27k, but I think I will use some seafoam and then change.

On a side note I gotta say I'm really enjoying the forum, thanks guys. I "moved on" from a Volvo S60R here recently. Not sure if you know anything about them, but it's a 300hp AWD sedan. I had a 6 speed manual. Driving that in the snow was my absolute favorite thing about it. On the other side of the coin, those cars have all sorts of problems. I loved the car itself, but I was repairing the damn thing everytime I turned around and not for cheap. There is a great swedespeed forum for that car, but there's a lot of frustration on there to say the least, lol.

HIJACK!

 

[r32]

This is for changing oil on the 2007 4Runner V6. I'm not sure if it's different on the bigger V8.

What you need:
socket wrench with 14mm socket
5.5 quarts of new oil
new oil filter
new crush washer
oil drain pan
oil filter wrench
ziplock bag (for used filter)
disposable gloves
rag or towel
-------------------
it's super easy to change your oil. if i can do it, anyone can. be sure to buy some replacement oil and filter and new crush washer, BEFORE you change your oil. Stupidly I almost forgot to do this one time.

I always use Mobile 1 for SUV 5w-30 and genuine Toyota Filters, which I get from the parts department at the local dealer. I also went to local medical supply store and bought some latex gloves. They are cheap to buy in bulk and I go through about 2 or 3 pairs per oil change. Helps keep the oil off my hands. you might also need to buy an oil filter wrench. helps you grip and rotate the oil filter off the threads.

1a. make sure truck is on flat pavement.
1b. place an oil pan under the truck. (i use cheap plastic sealable oil pan from walmart)

2. ratchet off the drain plug and let the oil drain. throw away the crush washer. sometimes you have to pry the crush washer off the vehicle. just take a flat-head screwdriver, wrap the end of the screwdriver with a rag and wedge the crush washer off. let the oil drain.

3. open up hood, look in the engine compartment and locate your oil filter. carefully unscrew the oil filter. this will probably require a filter wrench, which you can buy at walmart too. some oil will drain out into the oil filter cup. there is a drain in the bottom of this cup to get the remaining oil out. use a small plastic bottle or cup and hold it under the drain plug below the oil filter cup. clean up any excess oil and/or dirt, being careful not to shove anything down to the oil pipe that the filter screws onto. also be careful with the oil filter as it will still have oil inside of it. place the filter into a plastic zip lock bag and set aside. will help keep things tidy.

4. once the oil has completely drained, place the drain plug back into the drain hole, being sure to use a new crush washer. do not cross-thread and do not over-tighten.

5. screw on a new oil filter in the engine compartment

6. fill up engine with your favorite motor oil and replace oil cap

7. recycle oil and oil filter. call around town to see who accepts. it seems lately hardly any places locally will accept filters anymore, but they do take the oil.

 

[TC4Rnr]

7. recycle oil and oil filter. call around town to see who accepts. it seems lately hardly any places locally will accept filters anymore, but they do take the oil.

the plug is 14mm. and Walmart Auto center is the best place to recycle. they even take your oil containers.

 

[r32]

my local walmart doesn't have a tire center or service area, so they don't take oil or anything like that. and all the local auto parts stores only take the oil for some reason.

 

[TC4Rnr]

my local walmart doesn't have a tire center or service area, so they don't take oil or anything like that. and all the local auto parts stores only take the oil for some reason.

because they SELL used oil to refineries, nobody buys used oil filters.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

3. open up hood, look in the engine compartment and locate your oil filter. carefully unscrew the oil filter. this will probably require a filter wrench, which you can buy at walmart too. some oil will drain out into the oil filter cup. there is a drain in the bottom of this cup to get the remaining oil out. use a small plastic bottle or cup and hold it under the drain plug below the oil filter cup. clean up any excess oil and/or dirt, being careful not to shove anything down to the oil pipe that the filter screws onto. also be careful with the oil filter as it will still have oil inside of it. place the filter into a plastic zip lock bag and set aside. will help keep things tidy.

Excellent list/instructions. I would add don't forget to pull the rubber cap off of the drain on the oil filter cup/bracket thingy... Based on the fact I have mentioned the rubber cap twice it's pretty safe to assume I had to clean up a mess:bash: I just held a bottle under there and let 'er rip
:cheers:

 

[03 Limited]

I went out and bought me a Project Kics magnetic drain plug when i did my first oil change. Its nice item to have if for just in case.

http://mynismo.com/products/?id=4767&rsku=0 :bluejump:

 

[GMZ]

I put on a Filter Mag on mine.

 

[RPC]

'Ey, can anyone chime in on the ease(?) of changing the life blood of on '08 V8?

 

[Larry77]

V8 is a little harder...you have to remove or at least loosen the skid plate to get to the oil filter.

That was one thing I loved about my v6...easiest oil change I've ever done. With the v8 I just save the trouble and take it in to get done.