Changing the Oil in a V-6

Ok, so my 2 free oil changes are over at the dealership and I want to start changing my own oil as I have done for 40 years. Lots of Toyota trucks and I've never had anyone do it for me until those 2 freebies.

Any advice such as do I have to take the skid plate off and I'm assuming the oil filter cartridge is simple enough?

Thanks in advance.

 

Yes, you will need to take the skid plate off. The cartridge filters are a pain if you have never done one. You will need a special tool to get the oil cartridge cover off. Other than that, not too bad.

 

Very straight easy job, but can be messy if not careful. To get maximum oil flow, I take the oil filler cap off and cover it with a clean rag before loosening the oil plug and drain the oil.
I then undo the oil filter cap, clean it, and I prefill it 3/4 of the way with fresh clean oil and drop in the filter cartridge. I then continue filling it as far up as I can until I'm sure I won't spill any on me during install.

This procedure should help avoid a dry start (no oil in filter) and allow your engine to live long and happily ever after!

Hope that helps!
Cheers!

 

There's a plastic "clip" in the cartridge package along with 2 o-rings...Is that the special tool or is it something I need to get from a dealer?

 

Check the maintenance sticky at the top. It has all relevant info.

Amazon has bulk toyota filters for less than $4 a piece shipped. Costs you less than 40 bucks for filter to get you well over 100k miles. Has the necessary or rings and filter drain tool as well

 

Thanks guys, I didn't realize there was a DIY on maintenance.

Lots of good info there.

 

Just did mine, the skid plate is easy to remove. It's trickier to put it back, try to feel for the hooks at the front to help. While hooked you can thread one of the bolts at the back loosely which will hold it in place enough to be able to thread the 3 remaining bolts back in.

 

Messiest oil changes I've ever done, pita while working on my back. Never had oil run down my arm, have fun. A dealer did my last two changes, last dealer was out of state after a long vacation trip, they over tightened the cap, i had to use a pipe wrench on the housing to remove it.
Duane

 

Here is a helpful video.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oNfLLRzAMQc

 

mine would not unscrew so i put a bucked under the filter and slowly loosened the filter cap and when the oil started to run out just walked away for a couple of minutes then loosened more and finally all the oil was out. no biggy. make sure you buy a few washers from toyota for the drain plug.

 

Yep, it is a love thing, do something for your truck.