Recommendation on oil changes.

[RJS-T4R]

I changed the oil in the 4runner this past weekend and it wasn't as easy as I thought. The whole process took about 45 mins.. I'd like to strangle the guy who decided that the whole damn skid plate needed to be removed to access the oil filter. After removing the skid plate it's just a basic oil change, nothing special. Both of my BMW's have cartridge filters, but those can both be changed from the top of the engine.

Note: you'll have to raise the 4runner up to get the skid plate off. I used rhino ramps even though I think the 4R exceeds the weight limit.

Yes, the skid plate is PITA to take off.

I bought rhino ramps yesterday at O'reilys and I thought they were fairly priced. I saw two types 8,000 lbs rating and 12,000 lbs rating (they are $10 dollares different) I opted for the 12K for 49$.

Whats tools did you get to remove the filter cap? what size?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Anybody with a machine shop that comes up with an adapter so a standard V8 Toyota filter can be used will get rich IMHO.

My 1st car, a '58 Chrysler, had that setup. Why don't people (and engineers, not that they aren't people) study history? Do any other new Toyota models use this? It can't be cheaper to manufacture.

 

[RJS-T4R]

Didn't go with the TRD oil filter? do you see a difference?

 

[RJS-T4R]

Here is a pdf of the factory tech manual on the new 4Runner lubrication system.The oil and filter change start on page 8.

FYI....An SST is a Toyota special tool and can usually be substituted for tools at Pep Boys or Autozone or the like.Like the 14 flute oil filter wrench for the oil filter cap.

The file is in my google docs like the parts manual I put up before.Feel free to download it and keep it for yourself.
https://docs.google.com/fileview?id...WQtNzc1MC00YTU1LTk2MTYtZTY3ZTg0ZjRmNDgz&hl=en

IMO..... It would be easier to remove the front bumper lower cover completely .Then remove the #1 under cover sub-assembly that is hinged to have more room to work. Only takes an extra 3 bolts and 15 seconds to remove it.
I'm changing mine next week as I'm coming up on 7000 miles and will post some pics and a DIY thread. 0w-20 Mobil 1 and a TRD oil filter for me!

Harper7,
What is the part number for the TRD oil filter? Where did you get it?

 

[mpaquette]

Anybody with a machine shop that comes up with an adapter so a standard V8 Toyota filter can be used will get rich IMHO.

My 1st car, a '58 Chrysler, had that setup. Why don't people (and engineers, not that they aren't people) study history? Do any other new Toyota models use this? It can't be cheaper to manufacture.

My wife's 09 Venza uses the same setup as the 4Runner. I don't see what the big deal is. It's much cleaner to remove the cartridge type filter than a canister filter. Not to mention there is less waste because you are only tossing away the paper part.

The SST used to remove the filter cartridge can be purchased from Toyota. Not sure about any auto parts store because I didn't check there. It's a 65 mm wrench and the part number is 09228-06501. I purchased mine from Welcome to SPX Toyota

 

[RJS-T4R]

My wife's 09 Venza uses the same setup as the 4Runner. I don't see what the big deal is. It's much cleaner to remove the cartridge type filter than a canister filter. Not to mention there is less waste because you are only tossing away the paper part.

The SST used to remove the filter cartridge can be purchased from Toyota. Not sure about any auto parts store because I didn't check there. It's a 65 mm wrench and the part number is 09228-06501. I purchased mine from Welcome to SPX Toyota

You $37 dollars for the wrench?

Is there a cheaper alternative?

 

[harper7]

Harper7,
What is the part number for the TRD oil filter? \
Changing oil this weekend.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

My wife's 09 Venza uses the same setup as the 4Runner. I don't see what the big deal is. It's much cleaner to remove the cartridge type filter than a canister filter. Not to mention there is less waste because you are only tossing away the paper part.

The SST used to remove the filter cartridge can be purchased from Toyota. Not sure about any auto parts store because I didn't check there. It's a 65 mm wrench and the part number is 09228-06501. I purchased mine from Welcome to SPX Toyota

Cleaner, really? That's pretty cool. Tossing just the paper part does make good sense as you throw away 'less' and can drain it much better prior to putting it in the trash.

I just think back to the old car, tractors and several motorcycles I have had over the years. They were always messy as can be but if Toyota got it 'right' then maybe a cartridge filter is a good thing

Thanks for the insight.

 

[Quentin]

You $37 dollars for the wrench?

Is there a cheaper alternative?

Advanced Auto Parts has a 14 flute, 65mm filter wrench for $5. I'm going to go under my runner this weekend and ensure that it fits. This is the standard size for Toyota cartridge style oil filters (2GR, 1GR, and 2ZR... not sure about the AR engines)

 

[mpaquette]

Advanced Auto Parts has a 14 flute, 65mm filter wrench for $5. I'm going to go under my runner this weekend and ensure that it fits. This is the standard size for Toyota cartridge style oil filters (2GR, 1GR, and 2ZR... not sure about the AR engines)

It's 65 mm so I bet it will do the trick. If not, you can always return it.

The trick to keeping things clean when changing out the filter is to follow the directions with the filter. In particular, removing the bottom cap with a 3/8" ratchet extension and then utilizing the plastic thingy that comes with the filter to drain the oil from the cartridge. The Toyota filter I bought had a picture of what I'm talking about. To make things even easier, I attached a short piece of 1/2" garden hose to the plastic drain piece in ensure I would drain the oil into the drain pan.

Either way, I think it beats unscrewing an all in one canister filter and having oil drain out all over the place.

 

[mpaquette]

You $37 dollars for the wrench?

Is there a cheaper alternative?

Yeah, it was a little spendy, but I waited and waited to purchase it and at the time, I didn't have the spare time to run all over town to the different auto parts stores looking for a 65mm filter wrench.

 

[zidaro]

just changed the oil for the first time- not a nightmare at all. even left the skid plate on and hanging off the front hinges and was easily able to reach up, drain and pull and replace the filter. Didnt have a hose to connect to the filter drain thingy so i just put a funnel under it to my drain pan- no drips, not 1.
6.5 quarts of synthetic later and i was driving again.
computer reset is simple.

only bad thing that happened was my charcoal airfilter screen fell off my airbox when the hood was up- what the hell

 

[wz507]

Oil Filter Wrench

In the Twin Cities area I had a difficult time finding the 65 mm cap wrench for the oil filter housing. Dealership wanted $70 for theirs. Purchased a Lisle combination 65/67mm wrench, part# 54700 and it would not work because the wrench was too long and the 65mm section would not fully engage on the filter housing because the 67mm section could not slip up the bulbous filter housing as it would on a standard oil filter. Looked at several other combination wrenches - an off brand 65/68mm and a Pennzoil 65/67mm, and all suffered the same shortcoming. Finally found a plain 65 mm Lisle brand part # 54930 for $6.49 which worked great.

My only issue with the oil change was in draining the filter housing. I installed the drain insert in the bottom of the housing, collected about 6 oz of oil, at which time the drain had slowed to drops (2-3 minutes), and when I removed the filter housing, there was still a lot of oil in it that dripped all over my arm and made a big mess. Anyone else had this issue? I'm not quite sure why the housing did not drain cleanly.

 

[Vanuatoo]

My only issue with the oil change was in draining the filter housing. I installed the drain insert in the bottom of the housing, collected about 6 oz of oil, at which time the drain had slowed to drops (2-3 minutes), and when I removed the filter housing, there was still a lot of oil in it that dripped all over my arm and made a big mess. Anyone else had this issue? I'm not quite sure why the housing did not drian cleanly.

Did you remove the oil filler cap before removing the filter?

 

[wz507]

Did you remove the oil filler cap before removing the filter?

Van,

I did not remove the filler cap before removing the filter housing, but after the fact that dawned on me, as I did note a somewhat cyclic nature to the draining, as if the system were air-tight and it was catching very small gulps of air between drain pulses. I thought about the filler cap, but assumed the engine would not be sealed so tight that it would not drain. It appeared to stop draining and as noted above I'd collected 6 oz of oil by then so figured I was done. Do they typically gush when the drain insert is installed or is it a slow process? The draining on mine was very slow in general. Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[AGW1]

I went to Kragens and purchase the Toyota Oil Filter tool. Cost about 5 bucks. Noticed its made for the large and small Toyota filters. The one on the 4Runner uses the smaller filter.

 

[maelo]

Oil Change Question? New owners manual.....

Hello I took my 2010 Toyota 4Runner Sr5 for 5K service and was told that Toyota recommends an oil change at 10K miles. It actually is printed in the Toyota website and was told that there will be a new owners manual available. I also was informed that you can obtain one free of charge at your Toyota dealership were you purchased it or available for $10. Another guy told me that Toyota might mail them to new 4Runner owners. Anyone hear otherwise?:wow: I can change the oil myself but have the free 2 year maintenance so why bother?

 

[riverider]

My always work oil filter wrenchs.

These oil filter wrench's have never failed to get the job done.:cheers:

 

[ajwalks]

Hello I took my 2010 Toyota 4Runner Sr5 for 5K service and was told that Toyota recommends an oil change at 10K miles. It actually is printed in the Toyota website and was told that there will be a new owners manual available. I also was informed that you can obtain one free of charge at your Toyota dealership were you purchased it or available for $10. Another guy told me that Toyota might mail them to new 4Runner owners. Anyone hear otherwise?:wow: I can change the oil myself but have the free 2 year maintenance so why bother?

Yes, I actually got a new Warranty & Maintenance Guide in the mail from Toyota, which revises the oil change interval to 10,000 miles.

 

[1000MPH]

I just got my maintenance vouchers in the mail and they're 5k intervals. Oil change is specified on all 5 of them.