Easy to change the oil yourself?

Hi guys, I have a brand new 13 model (less than 100 miles) that I'd like to change the oil on. I've read a lot of information that says most of the break in happens in the first 50 miles, and that the oil can look iridescent due to all of the suspended metal particles.


Anyway, enough of the why - I need to know the how. Is it pretty straight forward? Do I need to jack it up at all? Is the filter easily accessible? I'm asking these questions because with my old vehicle it was impossible to reach the oil drain or filter without lifting the car, so I couldn't do it myself.

I'm hoping that I can change the oil myself to save some money, and also just because I enjoy things like that. Thanks guys and gals.

John

 

Do you have the V6? If so, it's super easy. I hear the 4 cylinder is kind of a pain to change the filter. I don't even have to jack my truck up. Here's a nice little write up for you though:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/11201-4-0l-1gr-2nd-gen-oil-change-guide.html

I would probably wait a little longer to change it though. 100 miles is pretty quick.

 

Ah, yes I forgot to add that. I have the 4.0 V6. Thanks for the link! Gonna change it this weekend if it's not too difficult. (haven't read the link yet)

 

Go outside and pop the hood

The filter is very accessible, it's right next to the battery. There is a drain hole underneath the filter, most just wedge a 20 oz. soda bottle under the drain hole to catch any oil released by the filter.

The drain plug underneath is also accessible, just make sure you pull the correct plug. The engine oil pan is very small and the transmission oil pan is very large and right next to the engine oil pan. Make sure you pull the correct plug! You should be pulling the plug from the small oil pan. Not trying to be insulting, many people have mistakenly pulled the transmission oil plug. If what drains out is red, you pulled the wrong plug.

 

fairly easy just a couple things to remember.

1. the oil plug and the tranny plug are really close but of course the oil plug is closer to the front than the tranny (you'd be suprised how many people mess this up)
2. oil filter is upside down in the front upper part of the engine(near radiator) be sure to have a bottle or if your like me rig some wire and a cup to catch the oil as you undue the filter.

other than those 2 things everything else is normal.

as for lifting it, you shouldnt have to unless your a really big person.

 

beat me 2 it lol

 

Awesome, sounds easy enough! I'm going to do it this weekend.

For the guys that change their own oil, do you change the drain gasket each time? Only asking because the nearest Toyota dealership is pretty far from me.

 

I attached a length of fuel line to the filter drain hole with a hose clamp and routed it down to the oil pan. I installed a fuel shut-off valve on the other end of the fuel line. Makes it a super easy oil change. Open the valve, remove the filter, replace the filter, close the valve, drain the oil pan & refill. No mess, no fuss and the catch basin catches all the oil from the filter and the engine without ever having to move it. By far the easiest oil change I've ever done in any vehicle.

 

One of the times I changed the oil I completely brain farted and forgot to put a cup underneath the drain. Don't know why... just didn't even think about it. That is a total fucking mess to clean up off of 2 skid plates. On the plus side... the skid plates will hold all the oil from the filter

The first time I changed the oil I almost did exactly that. Nothing insulting about that. That's just good advice.

 

Thanks! Do you change the oil drain plug gasket each time?

 

I do.... but the Dealership is close and the filter's are about $5 and they throw in the gasket for free.

 

its totally up to you.
never changed the gasket on mine since '06, no issues here.

 

Yes, I change the drain plug gasket each time. I bought 20 of them so I always have some laying around. They're like $0.05/ea.

 

Ok cool so when you buy an oil filter it comes with the drain plug gasket? (sorry for the redundant question)

Also, what oil do you prefer? Not sure if I want to go synthetic or not.

 

The drain plug gasket doesn't come with the filter. I just ask for one when I pick up a filter at the dealership. Also... I think it is the general agreement here on TW that most people prefer the OEM filter over most other filters. You can do a search for that.

As far as the oil goes... well... that's a different story. I "personally" use Mobil 1 Synthetic and always have. But, I bought into the "hype" and have never had any issue with it. There is a thread on here that has thousands of replies on just that subject. In reality any good quality oil should be just fine.

 

Extremely easy. Issues I've had: 1) My truck never came with an drain-plug gasket so I added one; 2) the drain near the oil filter was plugged up so oil brimmed juuuuust to the top of the housing. Soooooo close. Make sure to unplug it...

I used 5w-30 Mobil 1.

 

greedy sacks where I live charge for that little gasket

 

Some dealerships will just give you new gaskets, some will charge you the measly few cents they cost. I change it about every other time unless they're nice and give me one for every change.

I use synthetic. Mobil-1 or Penzoil Platinum/Ultra.

 

Wow really? That's shitty.

 

Seriously, thanks for all of the replies guys. I'm going to pick up a few filters and gaskets from my "local" dealership and change my oil this weekend. I've always been a DIY kind of guy, so I'm excited that this is something I can do on my own.