🔧 Highlander - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Replacement

This repair drains the old engine oil, replaces the cartridge-style oil filter, and refills your Highlander with fresh oil. The Hybrid system can start the gasoline engine automatically if the vehicle is left in READY mode, so the key safety step is making sure the vehicle is completely OFF before working underneath.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 45-75 minutes

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Make sure the READY light is OFF before starting. In READY mode, the gas engine can start by itself.
• ⚠️ Keep the smart key away from the vehicle while working so the Hybrid system cannot be accidentally powered on.
• ⚠️ Never crawl under your Highlander while it is supported only by a jack. Always use jack stands.
• ⚠️ Used engine oil can burn skin. Let the engine cool until the oil pan feels warm, not hot.
• ⚠️ Do not touch orange high-voltage cables or Hybrid components. This oil change does not require high-voltage battery service.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses and gloves because used oil is irritating and messy.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 14mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch drive torque wrench
• 3/8-inch drive extension
• 64mm 14-flute Toyota oil filter wrench (specialty)
• Oil drain pan 8-quart minimum
• Funnel
• Plastic trim clip remover
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Floor jack rated 3-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 3-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Shop towels

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil 0W-20 full synthetic - Qty: 6.4 quarts
• Engine oil filter cartridge kit - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Highlander on level ground.
• Set the parking brake firmly and shift to Park.
• Power the vehicle fully OFF and confirm the READY light is not illuminated.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Open the hood and remove the oil filler cap to help the oil drain faster.
• A torque wrench tightens bolts to an exact specification so they are not too loose or too tight.
• The Toyota oil filter wrench is a cup-shaped tool that fits the plastic oil filter housing without damaging it.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and Support the Front

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift the front of your Highlander at the front center jacking point.
• Place jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under the front support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the stands using the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum.
• Give the vehicle a gentle shake before going underneath.
• Never rely on the jack alone.

Step 2: Remove the Lower Engine Access Cover

• Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• Use the plastic trim clip remover to remove the plastic clips from the lower engine access cover.
• Use the flat-blade screwdriver only to gently help release stubborn clips.
• Set the cover and clips aside together.
• Take a photo before removing clips.

Step 3: Drain the Old Engine Oil

• Place the oil drain pan 8-quart minimum under the engine oil drain plug.
• Use the 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug.
• Finish removing the drain plug by hand while keeping light inward pressure on it.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip.
• Use shop towels to wipe the drain plug clean.
• Remove the old crush washer from the drain plug. A crush washer is a soft sealing washer that should be replaced each oil change.

Step 4: Reinstall the Drain Plug

• Install the new oil drain plug crush washer onto the drain plug.
• Start the drain plug by hand so the threads do not cross-thread.
• Use the 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the plug.
• Torque to 40 Nm (30 ft-lbs).
• Wipe the area clean with shop towels.

Step 5: Remove the Oil Filter Housing

• Move the oil drain pan 8-quart minimum under the oil filter housing.
• Use the 64mm 14-flute Toyota oil filter wrench (specialty), 3/8-inch drive extension, and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the filter housing.
• Unscrew the housing slowly because oil will spill from it.
• Pull the old paper filter cartridge out of the housing by hand.
• Use shop towels to clean the inside of the housing.

Step 6: Replace the Filter O-Ring and Cartridge

• Remove the old O-ring seal from the filter housing by hand.
• Lightly coat the new O-ring from the engine oil filter cartridge kit with fresh 0W-20 full synthetic engine oil.
• Install the new O-ring into the same groove where the old O-ring sat.
• Push the new filter cartridge into the housing by hand until fully seated.
• Do not twist the O-ring.

Step 7: Reinstall the Oil Filter Housing

• Thread the oil filter housing into the engine by hand first.
• Use the 64mm 14-flute Toyota oil filter wrench (specialty), 3/8-inch drive extension, and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten it.
• Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).
• Wipe the housing and surrounding area clean with shop towels.

Step 8: Reinstall the Lower Engine Access Cover

• Position the access cover back in place by hand.
• Use the plastic trim clip remover to help align the clips if needed.
• Use the flat-blade screwdriver only for gentle clip adjustment.
• Make sure the panel is secure and not hanging loose.

Step 9: Lower the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to raise the vehicle slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands rated 3-ton minimum.
• Lower your Highlander slowly with the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum.

Step 10: Add Fresh Engine Oil

• Place the funnel into the oil fill opening.
• Pour in about 6.0 quarts of 0W-20 full synthetic engine oil.
• Install the oil filler cap by hand.
• Save the remaining oil for final level adjustment.
• Add slowly to avoid overfilling.

Step 11: Start the Engine and Check for Leaks

• Move all tools away from the engine bay.
• Bring the smart key back to the vehicle.
• Power your Highlander ON and let the gasoline engine run briefly.
• If the gasoline engine does not start right away, turn on front defrost or heat to encourage it to start.
• Look under the vehicle for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter housing.
• Use shop towels to check for fresh oil around the filter housing area.
• Power the vehicle fully OFF.

Step 12: Set the Final Oil Level

• Wait 5 minutes so oil drains back into the oil pan.
• Use shop towels to wipe the dipstick clean.
• Insert the dipstick fully, then remove it again to check the level.
• Use the funnel to add oil in small amounts until the dipstick reads near the full mark.
• Total capacity with filter is about 6.4 quarts.
• Reinstall the dipstick and oil filler cap securely.

Step 13: Reset the Maintenance Reminder

• Turn the vehicle ON without pressing the brake pedal.
• Use the trip button to display Trip A.
• Turn the vehicle OFF.
• Press and hold the trip button.
• While holding the trip button, turn the vehicle ON without pressing the brake pedal.
• Keep holding until the maintenance reminder reset finishes on the display.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Recheck the oil level after your first short drive.
• ✅ Look underneath again for drips from the drain plug or oil filter housing.
• ✅ Dispose of used oil and the old filter at a proper recycling facility.
• ✅ Record the date and mileage for your service history.
• ✅ If the oil pressure warning light stays on, turn the vehicle OFF immediately and recheck the oil level.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $90-$160 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $45-$80 (parts only)

You Save: $45-$80 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.4-0.7 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.