🔧 Highlander - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Replacement

This service drains the old engine oil, replaces the oil filter, and refills your Highlander with fresh oil. Clean oil protects the 2.7L engine from wear, helps cooling, and keeps internal parts properly lubricated.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface so the oil drains correctly and the vehicle stays stable.
• ⚠️ Let the engine cool until it is warm, not hot. Hot oil can burn skin.
• ⚠️ Never work under your Highlander supported only by a jack. Always use jack stands.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses and gloves. Used engine oil is messy and can irritate skin.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off the exhaust and belts. Wipe spills before starting the engine.

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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
• 64mm 14-flute oil filter wrench (specialty)
• 3/8-inch drive extension
• Oil drain pan, 8-quart capacity
• Floor jack, rated 3-ton minimum
• Jack stands, rated 3-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Funnel
• Clean shop towels
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil, SAE 0W-20 full synthetic - Qty: 4.6 quarts
• Engine oil filter - Qty: 1
• Engine oil drain plug gasket - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Highlander on level ground and shift to Park.
• Set the parking brake firmly.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels. Wheel chocks are wedges that stop the vehicle from rolling.
• Run the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster than cold oil.
• Open the hood and remove the engine oil fill cap. This helps the oil drain smoothly.
• Oil service reminder reset is done after the oil change using the instrument cluster buttons.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and Secure the Front

• Use the floor jack, rated 3-ton minimum, at the front center jacking point.
• Raise the front high enough to access the oil drain plug and oil filter.
• Place jack stands, rated 3-ton minimum, under the proper front support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands.
• Give the vehicle a gentle push to confirm it is stable.
• Never trust the jack alone.

Step 2: Position the Drain Pan

• Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• Slide the oil drain pan, 8-quart capacity, under the engine oil drain plug.
• The drain plug is on the bottom of the engine oil pan.
• Keep the pan slightly behind the plug because oil will shoot outward at first.

Step 3: Drain the Old Engine Oil

• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug counterclockwise.
• Finish removing the plug by hand while keeping inward pressure on it.
• Pull the plug away quickly and let the oil drain into the pan.
• Allow the oil to drain until it slows to a light drip.
• Use clean shop towels to wipe the drain plug area.
• Remove the old drain plug gasket from the plug.
• Do not reuse the crush gasket.

Step 4: Reinstall the Drain Plug

• Install the new engine oil drain plug gasket onto the drain plug.
• Thread the drain plug into the oil pan by hand first. This prevents cross-threading, which means damaging the threads by starting the bolt crooked.
• 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 clean shop towels.

Step 5: Remove the Oil Filter

• Move the oil drain pan, 8-quart capacity, under the oil filter area.
• Use the 64mm 14-flute oil filter wrench (specialty), 3/8-inch drive extension, and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the oil filter counterclockwise.
• An oil filter wrench grips the filter housing so you can remove it without crushing or slipping.
• Unscrew the oil filter the rest of the way by hand.
• Keep the open end upward as you remove it to reduce spills.
• Check that the old rubber seal came off with the filter.
• Double gaskets cause major leaks.

Step 6: Install the New Oil Filter

• Use a gloved finger to apply a thin coat of fresh SAE 0W-20 full synthetic engine oil to the new oil filter rubber seal.
• Thread the new engine oil filter onto the engine by hand until the seal touches the mounting surface.
• Tighten the filter by hand an additional 3/4 turn.
• If using the 64mm 14-flute oil filter wrench (specialty) and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench, tighten gently only to the filter manufacturer’s printed specification.
• Do not overtighten the filter. It can damage the seal and cause leaks.

Step 7: Lower the Vehicle

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

Step 8: Refill the Engine Oil

• Place the funnel into the engine oil fill opening.
• Pour in 4.3 quarts of SAE 0W-20 full synthetic engine oil first.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap.
• Wait 2 minutes, then remove the dipstick and wipe it clean with clean shop towels.
• Reinsert the dipstick fully, then pull it out and check the level.
• Add oil in small amounts until the level is near the full mark.
• Total refill is approximately 4.6 quarts with filter.
• Add slowly near the full mark.

Step 9: Start and Leak Check

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Use safety glasses and look under the engine for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter.
• Shut the engine off.
• Wait 5 minutes so the oil can drain back into the oil pan.
• Use clean shop towels to wipe and check the dipstick again.
• Add oil if needed to bring the level to the full mark.

Step 10: Reset the Maintenance Reminder

• Turn the ignition to ON without starting the engine.
• Use the instrument cluster trip button to display Trip A.
• Turn the ignition OFF.
• Press and hold the trip button.
• While holding the button, turn the ignition to ON without starting the engine.
• Keep holding until the maintenance reset completes and the display shows the reset is done.
• Release the button and turn the ignition OFF.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Confirm the oil level is at the full mark after the engine has been off for 5 minutes.
• ✅ Check under your Highlander again after the first short drive.
• ✅ Dispose of used oil and the old filter at a recycling center or auto parts store that accepts used oil.
• ✅ Write down the mileage and date of the oil change.
• ✅ Recheck the oil level the next morning when the engine is cold.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $35-$65 (parts only)

You Save: $55-$95 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.3-0.6 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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