🔧 Highlander - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Replacement

This job drains the old engine oil, replaces the oil filter, and refills your Highlander with fresh oil. Clean oil protects the V6 engine from wear, heat, and sludge buildup.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Your Highlander is a hybrid, so do not touch orange high-voltage cables or high-voltage components.
• ⚠️ Put the vehicle in Park, set the parking brake, and keep the smart key away from the vehicle while working underneath.
• ⚠️ Hot oil can burn skin. Let the engine cool until the oil pan is warm, not hot.
• ⚠️ Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack. Always use jack stands.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this oil change.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 14mm socket
• 3/8-inch ratchet
• 3/8-inch torque wrench
• 64mm 14-flute Toyota-style oil filter wrench (specialty)
• 3/8-inch extension
• Flat-head screwdriver
• Plastic trim clip removal tool
• Oil drain pan 10-quart minimum
• Oil funnel
• 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 quarts
• Engine oil filter cartridge - Qty: 1
• Oil filter cap O-ring - Qty: 1
• 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 briefly if cold, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster, but it should not be hot.
• 🔑 Keep the key fob away from the vehicle so the hybrid system cannot accidentally be made READY.
• 📘 A cartridge oil filter uses a replaceable paper filter inside a reusable plastic housing, instead of a metal spin-on filter can.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and Secure the Front

• Use wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum at the front center jacking point to raise the front of your Highlander.
• Use jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under the front support points, then lower the vehicle gently onto them.
• Use safety glasses and nitrile gloves before going underneath.
• Shake lightly to confirm stability.

Step 2: Remove the Engine Under-Cover Access Panel

• Use a flat-head screwdriver or plastic trim clip removal tool to remove the clips holding the lower engine access panel.
• If bolts are present on the access panel, remove them with a 10mm socket only if fitted.
• Move the panel aside so you can see the oil drain plug and oil filter housing.
• Keep clips in a cup.

Step 3: Remove the Oil Fill Cap

• Open the hood and remove the engine oil fill cap by hand.
• Use a shop towel to wipe around the cap area so dirt does not fall into the engine.
• This helps the old oil drain more smoothly.

Step 4: Drain the Engine Oil

• Place the oil drain pan 10-quart minimum under the engine oil drain plug.
• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to loosen the drain plug.
• Remove the drain plug by hand once loose, while keeping pressure inward until the last thread.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip.
• Remove the old crush washer from the drain plug and wipe the plug with a shop towel.
• Do not reuse the crush washer.

Step 5: Reinstall the Drain Plug

• Install the new oil drain plug crush washer onto the drain plug.
• Thread the drain plug into the oil pan by hand first to avoid cross-threading. Cross-threading means the threads are misaligned and can damage the oil pan.
• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch 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 Toyota-style oil filter wrench (specialty), 3/8-inch extension, and 3/8-inch ratchet to loosen the oil filter housing.
• A specialty tool is a job-specific tool that fits a part correctly and helps prevent damage.
• Unscrew the housing carefully because more oil may spill out.
• Remove the old paper filter cartridge from the housing by hand.

Step 7: Replace the Oil Filter O-Ring and Cartridge

• Use a flat-head screwdriver carefully to lift the old O-ring off the oil filter housing. An O-ring is a rubber seal that prevents leaks.
• Wipe the housing clean with shop towels.
• Lightly coat the new oil filter cap O-ring with fresh 0W-20 full synthetic engine oil using a gloved finger.
• Install the new O-ring into the correct groove on the housing.
• Push the new engine oil filter cartridge fully into the housing.
• Match the old filter position.

Step 8: Reinstall the Oil Filter Housing

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

Step 9: Add New Engine Oil

• Place the oil funnel into the oil fill opening.
• Add about 5.5 quarts of 0W-20 full synthetic engine oil first.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap by hand.
• The approximate refill capacity with filter is about 5.8 quarts, but always final-set the level with the dipstick.

Step 10: Start and Check for Leaks

• Remove all tools from the engine bay.
• Start your Highlander and let the engine run for 30-60 seconds.
• If the hybrid system does not keep the engine running continuously, turn on the front defroster and set the temperature high to encourage engine operation.
• Use a flashlight only if available to inspect the drain plug and oil filter housing area for leaks.
• Shut the vehicle off.

Step 11: Set the Final Oil Level

• Wait 5 minutes so oil drains back into the oil pan.
• Pull the dipstick, wipe it clean with a shop towel, reinstall it fully, then pull it again.
• Add oil through the oil funnel a little at a time until the level is near the full mark.
• Do not overfill. Too much oil can cause engine problems.

Step 12: Reinstall the Under-Cover and Lower the Vehicle

• Use the plastic trim clip removal tool or your fingers to reinstall the access panel clips.
• 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 with the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum.
• Remove the wheel chocks.

Step 13: Reset the Maintenance Reminder

• Use the steering wheel controls to select Settings > Vehicle Settings > Scheduled Maintenance > Reset if your display supports this path.
• If that menu is not shown, turn the vehicle on, use the trip button to show Trip A, turn the vehicle off, hold the trip button, then turn the vehicle on while holding until the reset completes.
• This resets the oil maintenance reminder only; it does not change the oil level.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Let the vehicle sit for a few minutes, then recheck the oil level with the dipstick.
• ✅ Look underneath for fresh oil drips after the first drive.
• ✅ Dispose of used oil and the old filter at an approved recycling center or auto parts store.
• ✅ Write down the mileage and date of the oil change.
• ✅ Recheck the drain plug and filter area after one short trip.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $110-$180 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $45-$75 (parts only)

You Save: $65-$105 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.5-0.8 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.