Oil change coming up. Advice plz!!

4600

 

Bought mine in 2012 and I have 14,000

 

I find the V6 oil change a piece of cake.
Bought my '12 in March of that year. 51,000 miles. My Goodyear Silent Armor tires have 2 k miles less than that and look only half worn out.

 

You never get all the oil out from an oil change. The spec is probably listed on a completely dry engine. 5.5 quarts is fine.

 

Wonder what they changed on the "new" 2.7, my 01 called for 5w oil same as my 2012 Tacoma and 2006 4 runner.

 

Oil Viscosity. and interval change guide or Tech Tip. Put it in your glove box.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/out.php?url=http://rav4world.com/pdf/T-TT-0005-10.pdf

 

I bought into the hype. I use Mobil 1 and have for years. I change it every 5k miles too. Maybe I'm wasting money but it certainly isn't hurting anything.

OP any good Dino oil that is rated for your truck should be fine.

 

That is exactly what I do. I was told that the dealership here locally uses Mobil 1, but not sure what brand they use for the non-synthetic oil.
0W-20 is used for the 4 cyl. and 5W-30 is used for the six banger (see the attached specification document) and how many quarts to use for each engine type. It varies not only from engine type/size, but from drive type as well. The "DIY Maintenance" document shows the proper levels (basically rely on the dipstick). I also included another document about oil in general that is pretty interesting. In a nutshell, all oils are definitely NOT the same (duh).
I use the TRD oil filter based on a buddy that woks for TRD Sparks recommendation. I have always used them in my Toyotas and have always been happy with them. Some people think they are a rip for the money, but I like them.
Now, if you really want an easy oil change that is WAY less messy, make sure to get a Fumoto Quick Valve and install it in place of the drain plug. When oil change time comes around you just plug a hose into the Quick Valve and run it from the valve into your oil drain pan and flip the lever. No fuss, no muss as they say.
That is about all I have to add to the oil change process, hope it helps
Ken

 

BTW I do have a question too: It looks like there is a small outlet there with a rubber cover on it so you can remove the rubber cover and attach a hose to catch the oil draining from the filter when it is removed. I was wondering if anyone has run a tube from the little nipple on the bottom of the oil filter housing to a drain pan when changing the oil?
Thanks,
Ken

 

A Diet Coke 20 oz. bottle fits in the space between the nipple and whatever is below it perfectly. Won't fall or wiggle loose. I just let the oil that leaks from the filter drain into that while I'm working under the truck. Never used a tube though.

 

For your oil, you may want to check your local Dealer. I use the 0W20 in my Miata and I will be purchasing my oil from the dealer. It is only 5 bucks a Qt. and I can get my oil filter at the same time. I have one more free oil change left and then I will be doing my own at home.
As for the 0W 20 being dino oil, it is not plain oil, but synthetic. No one can make a plain oil into a 0 weight. The closest that they can do is a 5 weight, and for the fuel savings the synthetic is what you need to run if you want to.

 

Thanks Smith, good idea and much appreciated! I will have to start drinking some Coke for the good of my truck. The sacrifices we make...
Thanks again,
Ken

 

Yep... I use a red solo cup (or something similar) to catch the oil from the filter. I thought about running a hose down to the drain pan but it's just easier this way. Once it's done draining just pour it in your pan and clean up where the filter sits. Make sure the old gasket stays on the old filter (I'm sure you knew that but I've seen people make that mistake).

 

Gotcha RVM, sounds like I was overthinking the project
Ken