Oil changes... pain in the butt?

hi,
I have a 2009 taco, but looking to get a new tacoma (keeping my 2009, i got it brand new) but I watched some of the videos on the new tacoma oil changes... is not a spin on but these canisters... it seems like a more time to do an oil change now and looks messy? I know toyota has been doing it for awhile... any issues with this design? (just curious)

 

Only issue is if the dealer has done the oil change. They often tighten the filter canister way over spec. This causes either the canister to be extremely difficult to remove or even break upon removal. Tighten to 18 ft lbs when done, and the oil change on a 3rd gen Tacoma is not any more difficult than a 2nd gen.

 

There are plenty of stories like this, but I honestly don't know how they could gorilla it like that. The canister threads definitely have a stopping point. Unless they put the filter wrench on an air tool or something.

I got lucky, my dealer treated my filter correctly. And when I took over, to answer your question OP, oil changes are super easy. Every bit as easy as a cartridge.

 

Yes, many have been posted here, i looked but could not find the threads but they might show up a others see your thread.
issues where the dealer screwed it up and also where the DIY went sideways.
the plastic filter cap is the main issue. i bought a spare, others have bought a metal replacement.
important, make sure the o ring if in the correct groove and torque to 18 ft lbs.
yes, a PIA and messy.

 

Yes, it is more difficult than a 2nd Gen. You need to remove a skid plate (not needed on 2nd Gen) and you need to drain the filter prior to removing (also not needed on 2nd Gen). Basically it takes twice as long, maybe longer on a 3rd Gen.

 

try baxter remote spin on adapter

you can get it route to the engine bay and use dipstick tube as oil drain hole, never have to get underneath the truck again

 

Speaking of pain in the butt, check out this video on changing spark plugs on a V6 3rd Gen. Five minutes in shows all the items in the way when doing the drivers side. I will say that once a frustrating maintenance task is completed, then for me it is back to enjoying driving my Tacoma.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=737qAw6Z0n0

 

Look into this kit from MotiveXtools.
Contains everything you need to make the oil change easier, including an aluminum filter wrench, for strength and sure fitment and a drain tube for the filter before removal. Awesome investment

 

I'm even more confused about the responses of dropping their skid for oil.

Do you guys not have filter and plug windows on your skid?

 

Maybe they don't have the TRD? I didn't see these access points in the factory metal when I replaced it. Perhaps it's a reference to factory skid plate

 

That's only in the PRO skid plate. The Offroad has two very thin skid plates. One towards the back of the engine that has a cutout for the drain plug. No need to remove anything to drain the oil. The front skid plate needs to be removed to access the filter. It's help on by 4 bolts. Very easy to remove.

 

Aside from the skid plate, it takes an extra 5 minutes if the canister wasn't overtightened. I still prefer a spin on filter, but it's not a big deal.

 

The service manual for TRD Skid Plate specifically ask NOT to remove it for oil change, instead use access windows. I guess it's easier just impact wrench on those 17mm and 12mm bolts than finding a 5mm HEX and mess with that

 

You're totally right. How quickly I forget.

 

Get a fumoto valve!! That should at least help with the oil drain plug.

 

damn.... I didn't it would blow up so fast on my fast and the video on the spark plugs... MY GOD!

 

It's still easy to oil change 3rd gen Tacoma. Sure, there are few more steps compared to conventional spin on filter but I guess it depends on the owner and their comfort level on maintenance and changes.

 

I love my valve. But also that valve was the whole reason why I bought a PRO skid. Can't have that brass fitting free-dangling in the wind.