Toyota OEM Oil Filters

DIY Toyota Oil Filter Replacement in 5 Easy Steps

Another 3,000 miles on the Camry. Another 3 months driving the Tacoma. Whichever wheel you're behind, it's time for an oil change. And that means, as with air filters, it's also time to change your oil filter. (If your oil pump's stressed, the bearings are worn, you've lost oil pressure, there's an oil warning light on the dash, and the engine's not running right, it's pretty much official.)

Luckily, it's an easy job you can save money doing yourself. Here's what to do on most Toyota models. (Double-check your owner's manual for your model's specifics, of course.)

Step 1: Grab What You'll Need and Set Up

All you'll need: an oil drain pan, fresh motor oil, a pair of work gloves, a filter wrench, a socket wrench, and a mallet, in most cases. Be sure your engine's warm (but not hot) also.

Step 2: Drain the Old Motor Oil

Loosen the oil fill cap. Twist it counterclockwise.

Put your oil drain pan under the engine block. It goes under the oil drain plug. That, you'll find on either the bottom of the oil pan or the side (sometimes near the crankshaft).

Take the oil plug off. The gasket, too, if you've got one. Use the socket wrench. Drain the oil out, and then replace the plug (and gasket). Move quickly to avoid getting covered in oil. Draining fully can take up to a half hour or so.

Step 3: Take the Old Filter Off

Locate the oil filter. It's usually in a housing, accessible from underneath the engine bay, if not from above it. The filter itself should be labeled. (Your owner's manual can tell you where it is.)

Move the oil drain pan to underneath the filter. Put it directly under it. That way, the pan can catch any remaining oil that might leak out when you go to change the filter.

Unscrew the filter off. Turn it counterclockwise, manually. If it's stuck or hard to turn, you can use the filter wrench at first, but then turn it manually, the rest of the way. Oil should start leaking out into the pan, so try to do this at an angle; it'll help keep you from getting oil all over yourself. Put on work gloves if you prefer.

Leave the filter face-down in the pan for 24 hours. This way, you can be sure all the oil will drain out of it before you throw the filter out. You'll have to recycle the oil; check with a Toyota service center on how to do that, and to learn more about your Toyota maintenance schedule.)

Steps 4-5: Install the New Filter and Refill the Oil

Lubricate the new oil filter's gasket. Use fresh engine oil. Cover the rubber ring around the base completely. That'll help it fit tighter, thereby keeping oil from leaking into the engine block.

Screw the filter on manually. Turn it clockwise, until it stops turning. Do it gently, too; that way, you can avoid damaging the threads. The filter should end up flush with the engine block. Give it a last quarter- to three-quarter turn. Check for leaks; find one, and you should give the filter another quarter-turn.

Refill the motor oil. Use a funnel. Follow your owner's manual's recommendation on what to do and what kind of oil your engine needs.

Shop OEM Oil Filters for Toyota from Spring TX

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