Introduction
If this is your first oil change, note that this process might take a little longer than you expect. Overall, this is a valuable skill that could save you money over the lifespan of your vehicle. I recommend using original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts, such as Genuine Toyota Motor Oil and the Genuine Toyota branded oil filter kit shown in the tool list. These supplies can be bought online or directly from any nearby Toyota dealership. Lastly, please ensure that all used motor oil is properly disposed of by delivering it to a certified collection center (COC).
What you need
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Ensure vehicle is turned off before performing maintenance.
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Open the hood of the vehicle by pressing the hood latch located to the left of the steering wheel.
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Note: It is recommended to place an oil drip pan underneath the working area to prevent potential oil spills.
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The front air dam is located directly under the front bumper and is held in place by eleven, 10mm bolts. The location of the bolts are highlighted in red.
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Use a 3/8" drive socket wrench, extension, and 10mm socket to remove all of the bolts from the front air dam.
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Detach the front air dam from the front bumper and set it aside.
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The skid plate, highlighted in red, is located on the underside of the vehicle, directly behind front air dam. It is attached via four, 12mm bolts and two latch tabs at the front end of the plate.
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Use a 3/8" drive socket wrench, extension, and 12mm socket to remove the bolts attaching the skid plate to the vehicle.
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While supporting the Skid Plate, unhook the Skid Plate from the latch tabs and remove it from underneath the vehicle.
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Place the oil drain pan underneath the oil pan to catch used motor oil.
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Use a 3/8" drive socket wrench and a 14 mm socket to remove the oil drain plug from the oil pan.
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Wait until all of the used motor oil has drained from the oil pan. This should take roughly 10-15 minutes.
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Once the oil has stopped flowing, use shop towels or rags to clean any residual oil from the oil pan and drain plug.
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Then use a 3/8" drive socket wrench and a 14mm socket to reinstall the oil drain plug to the oil pan.
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The Oil Filter Housing, shown in red, is on the underside of the vehicle.
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Place the oil drain pan directly beneath the oil filter housing.
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Use a 3/8" drive socket wrench with an extension to remove the oil filter housing cap from the oil filter housing assembly.
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Insert the oil filter drain plug into the oil filter housing by hand. This will drain any remaining oil inside the oil filter housing.
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Wait for the oil filter housing to completely drain before removing the oil filter drain plug. This may take several minutes.
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Use a 1/2" drive socket wrench, extension, and a 64mm oil filter wrench to remove the oil filter housing from the vehicle.
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Remove the used filter element from the oil filter housing and inspect the element for particulate matter.
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Remove the used packing from the oil filter housing.
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Use shop towels or rags to wipe any residual oil from the oil filter housing.
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Lubricate the new packing with unused motor oil.
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Install the new packing and filter element to the oil filter housing.
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Thread the oil filter housing to the vehicle by hand.
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Use a 1/2" drive socket wrench, extension, and a 64mm oil filter wrench to fully tighten the oil filter housing.
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Remove the used packing from the oil filter cap.
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Lubricate the new packing with unused motor oil and install it onto the oil filter cap.
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Thread the oil filter cap onto the oil filter housing by hand.
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Use a 3/8" drive socket wrench and extension to fully tighten the oil filter cap onto the oil filter housing.
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The engine oil fill port is highlighted in red. Remove the engine oil fill port cap.
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Insert a funnel into the engine oil fill port.
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Service the engine with 6 quarts of 0-20W synthetic motor oil.
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The engine dipstick, highlighted in orange, is used to check fluid levels in the engine. Pull the engine dipstick out from the engine dipstick tube and use shop towels or rags to wipe off any residual oil from the dipstick.
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To check the oil level, fully reinsert the dipstick into the dipstick tube and then pull it back out. Inspect the dipstick for the presence of oil.
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If there is no oil past the second divot on the end of the dipstick, add additional oil to the engine oil fill port and repeat this step from bullet 1 until the fluid level reaches past the second divot on the end of the dipstick.
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When sufficient oil has been serviced to the engine, remove the funnel and replace the engine oil port cap.
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Turn on the vehicle ignition to allow the new oil to circulate throughout the system.
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While the engine is running, periodically check underneath the vehicle for leaks. If a leak is present, immediately turn off the vehicle and ensure that the leaking component is installed properly, and repeat this step from bullet 2.
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After a few minutes, if no leaks are present, turn the vehicle off and close the hood of the engine bay.
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While supporting the skid plate, secure the skid plate onto the two latch tabs and thread on the four bolts by hand.
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Use a 3/8" drive socket wrench, extension, and a 12mm socket to tighten all four bolts to the skid plate.
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While holding the Front Air Dam in position, thread on all eleven bolts by hand.
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Use a 3/8" drive socket wrench, extension, and 10mm socket to tighten all eleven bolts onto the Front Air Dam.
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Turn the vehicle on by pressing the ignition button.
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Once the vehicle is on, use the left-right, up-down, and enter buttons on the right side of the steering wheel to operate the center-display screen.
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Navigate to the settings option on the display screen. Push the enter button on the steering wheel, scroll down to the option that says maintenance reset, and hit yes.
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Congratulations, you have successfully changed out the oil/oil filter on a 3rd generation Toyota Tacoma.
Congratulations, you have successfully changed out the oil/oil filter on a 3rd generation Toyota Tacoma.
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