🔧 Highlander - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Replacement

This job replaces the old engine oil and oil filter so your Highlander’s 3.5L V6 stays properly lubricated and protected. You’ll drain the oil, replace the cartridge-style oil filter, refill with fresh oil, then check for leaks and correct oil level.

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 oil level reads accurately.
• ⚠️ Hot engine oil can burn skin. Let the engine cool until it is warm, not hot.
• ⚠️ Always support the vehicle with jack stands. Never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Keep used oil off the ground and recycle it at an approved collection site.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.

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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 10-quart minimum
• Funnel
• Flat-head screwdriver
• Plastic trim clip remover
• 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
• Engine oil drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🚗 Park your Highlander on level ground and set the parking brake.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels before lifting the front.
• 🌡️ Run the engine for 2-3 minutes if it is cold, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• 🧰 The oil filter on your Highlander uses a cartridge inside a reusable housing. A cartridge filter is just the replaceable paper filter element inside the cap.
• 🧼 Have shop towels ready. Oil changes can get messy the first time.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and Support the Front

• Use wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum at the front center jack point to raise the front of your Highlander.
• Place jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under the front support points.
• Gently lower the vehicle onto the jack stands and shake the vehicle lightly to confirm it is stable.
• Never work under only a jack.

Step 2: Remove the Lower Access Panel

• Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• Use a flat-head screwdriver or plastic trim clip remover to remove the clips or fasteners from the engine oil service access panel under the front of your Highlander.
• Set the panel and clips aside in a safe place.
• A cup keeps small clips from disappearing.

Step 3: Remove the Oil Fill Cap

• Open the hood.
• Remove the engine oil fill cap by hand.
• Pull the dipstick slightly upward by hand.
• This lets air enter the engine so the old oil drains more smoothly.

Step 4: Drain the Old Engine Oil

• Place the oil drain pan 10-quart minimum under the engine oil drain plug.
• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the oil drain plug.
• Remove the drain plug by hand once loose, keeping your hand out of the oil stream.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to a drip.
• Remove the old crush washer from the drain plug. A crush washer is a soft sealing washer that should be replaced every oil change.

Step 5: Reinstall the Drain Plug

• Wipe the drain plug and oil pan sealing surface with shop towels.
• Install the new engine oil drain plug crush washer onto the drain plug.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the drain plug.
• Torque to 40 Nm (30 ft-lbs)

Step 6: Remove the Oil Filter Housing

• Move the oil drain pan 10-quart minimum under the oil filter housing.
• 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 housing.
• Turn the housing slowly counterclockwise and allow oil to drain as it loosens.
• Remove the housing by hand once loose.
• Keep the housing upright to reduce spills.

Step 7: Replace the Filter Cartridge and O-Ring

• Pull the old paper filter cartridge out of the housing by hand.
• Use a flat-head screwdriver carefully to remove the old O-ring from the housing groove. An O-ring is a rubber seal that prevents leaks.
• Wipe the housing clean with shop towels.
• Lightly coat the new O-ring from the engine oil filter cartridge kit with fresh 0W-20 full synthetic oil.
• Install the new O-ring in the correct groove on the housing.
• Push the new filter cartridge fully into the housing by hand.

Step 8: Reinstall the Oil Filter Housing

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

Step 9: Refill the Engine Oil

• Place the funnel into the oil fill opening.
• Pour in about 6.0 quarts of 0W-20 full synthetic oil first.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap by hand.
• Push the dipstick fully back into place by hand.

Step 10: Start the Engine and Check for Leaks

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Shut the engine off.
• Use a flashlight if available and inspect around the drain plug and oil filter housing for leaks.
• If you see oil dripping, do not drive. Recheck the drain plug, filter housing, and O-ring placement.

Step 11: Set the Final Oil Level

• Wait 5 minutes after shutting the engine off so oil can drain back into the oil pan.
• Pull the dipstick by hand, wipe it clean with shop towels, reinstall it fully, then pull it again.
• Add oil through the funnel in small amounts until the level is near the full mark.
• Total capacity with filter replacement is about 6.4 quarts.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap and dipstick by hand.
• Do not overfill the engine oil.

Step 12: Reinstall the Lower Access Panel

• Use the plastic trim clip remover or flat-head screwdriver to help reinstall the lower access panel clips.
• Make sure the panel sits flat and secure.

Step 13: 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.
• Remove the wheel chocks.

Step 14: Reset the Maintenance Reminder

• Turn the ignition ON without starting the engine.
• Use the steering wheel display controls to set the display to Trip A.
• Turn the ignition OFF.
• Press and hold the trip reset button.
• While holding the button, turn the ignition ON again without starting the engine.
• Keep holding until the maintenance reset completes on the display.
• Release the button and turn the ignition OFF.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start the engine and confirm the oil pressure warning light turns off within a few seconds.
• ✅ Let the engine idle for 1 minute, then check under the vehicle for leaks.
• ✅ Recheck the dipstick level after the first short drive and top off only if needed.
• ✅ Recycle the used oil and used filter at an approved oil recycling location.
• ✅ Record the mileage and date so you know when the next oil change is due.

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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?

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