First oil change with I4 2015 Tacoma

Brief report on my 1st experience changing the oil on my 2.7L 4cyl 2TR-FE 2015 access cab 4X4. It now has 2,723 mi. Way way longer than I wanted to go (and ever have gone) on factory oil but life happens.

Compared to my TRD V6 '02 before it? OMG what a difference!!! The '02 truck and its 5VZ-FE (V6) engine had me reaching thru the wheel well, removing the splash guards, using a universal joint for the angle on the socket and needing a 24" socket extension.

With the 2015 I4, as long as you can shimmy underneath it (I used Rhino ramps) it's a very easy deal indeed. The oil drain plug is... well let's just say if you can't find the oil drain plug on this vehicle, please don't do ANY self maintenance. And the beauty thing is, they placed the oil filter very close to ground zero where the oil pan drains. So the messy spot from oil dripping is a tight one. (I use cardboard on the garage floor anyway) But I still needed a socket extension cause the filter is kind of higher up.

The oil filter is on the passenger side. You can look right over the RT side front tire and see it. It faces DOWN, which should have made it easy-peasy to swap from underneath, but DAMN if the factory doesn't put them on TIGHT. HOLY CROW. I am not weak. I had a helluva time getting that oil filter off. Luckily my socket extension was the perfect length and put the ratchet handle near a crossmember or something on the undercarriage. I was able to grab the metal cross bar with my fingers while keeping the ratchet handle held by my palm and thumb, while my other hand was also choked up, turning the driver handle. I was putting my back, arms and using my hand to squeeze and rotate the ratchet. FINALLY I was able to loosen the filter. RIDICULOUS. IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE THAT TIGHT!!! Only hand tight (strong hands and use a rag or paper towel for friction) and then an 1/8 or perhaps a 1/4 turn more but THAT'S IT.

Took 5 qts of 0W-20 Napa syn. I used a Toyota OEM oil filter. I watched an amazing YouTube from a guy (I think it was from this forum) who proved most aftermarket filters are garbage.

I normally go 6-7K on syn oil. It's always good to just look at the oil. Once it gets really black and filthy, even syn, it's time.

 

I suspect a robot puts it on during motor assembly, well before the motor goes in the truck. Likely weeks or months.
No access issues, no prelubing the gasket either, AFAIK. So yeah, first off is tight.

That's about as useful as sniffing and tasting. If you really want to know the remaining life of the oil, send a sample to Blackstone labs for an independent test right after your next eyeball oil change. I'll bet you a Coke results show you can safely double your mileage. Modern additive packages are quite robust.

 

That engine in my 2008 took 6 qts of oil and yes the filter was a bitch to get off the first time.

 

i use 6 quarts also and the only 2 times the dealership did an oil change for me, they tightened the oil filter way too tight as well.

 

"That's about as useful as sniffing and tasting."

OK, saying "when it's black it's time to change" wasn't very mindful of me. I usually run my synthetic oil to betwen 7 and 8K mi.
Guess I didn't want to get into (here goes) that even if you run great quality synthetic, you should only ride as long as the oil is being adequately filtered. I don't know if a stock Toy filter will clean the oil for 7K, or 14K, etc. which some say SYN is good for, and beyond.

I used to buy K&N, then FRAM X-TRA guard or DBL-Guard, and later Amsoil filters. But when I saw the YouTube where the guy cuts them all open and the so-called "deluxe" aftermarket filters have crappy media, cheap gaskets, lousy bypass valves, etc. l have taken a new position on this.

I go with Toyota filters now, but since I don't know how long they will filter for, I guess I was hedging when speaking about the mileage. But that's silly right? If I believe the filter is good, it should do at least as well as anything I've used before.

Also, yes, the spec says 5 1/2 quarts, but I always go a little less than spec because I have been burned (overfilled) before following those numbers. Adding a full 5 quarts put the level almost full on the stick.

As Buzz Lightyear might say... TO SEVEN THOUSAND AND BEYOND!!!

 

I agree!

Once you know the life capability of the oil you choose, based on your usage pattern, changing the filter at the 1/2 way mark will take care of that issue for you.

Lets say the lab says you can easily do 12k. You choose to do 10k instead for a couple of reasons. Our OCI reminder lights pop on at 5k increments. 10k OCIs are easy to remember, and coordinate with the light. If you are busy, foul weather, on the road, and you miss your 10k OCI a bit, no big deal, you left yourself 2k of headroom.

So change the filter at 5k, along with your 5k tire rotation and brake inspection.

Plus you'll have a bit of oil top up to refresh the additive package.

Not trying to turn this into an oil thread. No no no. But I do like to recommend lab testing frequently. Much more reliable than any other method to determine an OCI program.

 

Well actually the spec says 6.1 US Quarts with a filter.... I use 6.0 when I change the oil...

 

Same here, the dealership changed my oil and filter. I couldn't get the filter off, short of running a screw driver thru the damn filter. I'm hoping the next go round won't be so bad....

 

Ahhh, I remember taking off the factory oil filter. Ugh.

On the bright side, I now have a collection of oil filter wrenches.