Oil filter change

When changing the oil filter is it necessary to remove the center drain plug I was told the dealership just drop the canister and leave the center drain plug

 

I never pulled it.
Was easier for me to just drop the canister. More control on the rate of “leakage”

And, one less seal to get screwed up

 

I would. Why not drop the plug? It takes 30 extra seconds. The filter is not at the low point of the reservoir.

Unless you're talking about the filter drain. That's optional. I found it to be less messy to drain the filter first.

 

No it is not necessary.

 

Nope, never pulled mine. Not that I didn't try. Someone must have installed mine into the housing with a power tool. Couldn't even get it free with it in the vice. Yes, I'm the original owner. No, no one else has ever changed my oil, it was like that from the get go.

 

This.

I take it off and shove that little plastic drain thing up it to empty the filter and replace the rubber ring on it too. Kit comes with both rings, I’m going to use both rings.

I do it for both trucks. Works for me.

But as noted above. Not required.

 

I would do it.

 

I don’t

 

I generally just drop the canister but am thinking about changing the drain plug O-ring the next time I have it off.

 

I do. A little less messy. Not a lot of time added to task.

 

At home? Yes. Way less mess.

At work on a hoist? HELLLLLLLLLLLL No. I spin the whole thing off and let it puke out. GOGOGOGOGO

 

I remove it and to drain the oil out. I think there is less mess doing it that way and you wouldn't get the filter socket full of oil or all over the truck.

 

Depends the size mess you wish to make. Don't drain the oil filter housing by removing this plug, you can make a bigger mess.

 

get the motivX oil change kit, way less mess. comes with a screw in filter housing drain and hose, housing wrench, and funnel to fill the oil. you can do it without removing the drain but, it is MESSY for you, the truck, and your work area. the plastic thing that comes with filters is a joke. Ski

 

I haven't changed the Tacoma's yet, but on my wife's Highlander, I've just always just dropped the canister.

 

This ^^^^^

 

It’s not a bad idea to take it out every 5 or 6 oil changes since the pressure relief valve lives there. I pulled one on a high mileage Camry and there was a lot of “gunk” in there.

 

First time changing oil in my Tacoma a couple of nights ago. Had Motivx canister grip adapter AND the Motivx adapter tube to drain the oil first. Enough oil drained through the tube to convince me it was worth it.

Someone apparently use the drain-plug-plate as a torque-point to tighten the entire canister because my 1/2 in 18-in long breaker bar was needed to remove that drain plate (needed JUST A LIITLE more than what the ratchet wrench provides, not too much more).

But with respect to all of the other responses ... Your Mileage May Vary.

 

That’s my thinking too. I changed my oil 3 times leaving the drain plug O-ring intact. I will change the drain plug O-ring next oil change.

 

spin the filter drain loose with an impact. then the cannister housing doesnt move. if they are really stuck, using a breaker bar, may just spin the cannister housing off, without loosening the filter housing drain. Ski