🔧 Highlander - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

This repair replaces the used engine oil and oil filter so your Highlander’s 2.7L engine stays properly lubricated and protected. You’ll drain the old oil, replace the cartridge-style oil filter, install fresh oil, then check the level and leaks.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a cool-to-warm engine, not a hot one. Hot oil can burn skin badly.
• 🧤 Wear gloves and safety glasses. Used engine oil is messy and can irritate skin.
• 🚗 Support your Highlander with jack stands if lifting it. Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack.
• 🛑 Keep the parking brake set and the rear wheels chocked before lifting the front.
• 🔋 Battery disconnect is not required for this oil change.
• ♻️ Collect used oil in a drain pan and recycle it properly at an auto parts store or service center.

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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 oil filter wrench (specialty)
• 3/8-inch extension
• Oil drain pan, 8-quart minimum
• Floor jack, rated 3-ton minimum
• Jack stands, rated 3-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Funnel
• 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: 5 quarts
• Engine oil filter cartridge kit with O-rings - Qty: 1
• Engine oil drain plug gasket - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Highlander on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Start the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear tires before lifting the front.
• If extra room is needed, use the floor jack to lift the front and place jack stands under the proper front support points.
• Open the hood and remove the engine oil fill cap. This helps the oil drain smoothly.
• A cartridge oil filter uses a reusable housing with a replaceable paper filter inside. Do not throw away the housing.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Position the Drain Pan

• Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• Slide the oil drain pan, 8-quart minimum under the engine oil drain plug.
• The drain plug is on the bottom of the engine oil pan.
• Oil may shoot outward first.

Step 2: Drain the Engine Oil

• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to loosen the engine oil drain plug.
• Remove the plug by hand once loose, keeping pressure toward the oil pan until the last thread releases.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip.
• Remove the old drain plug gasket from the drain plug.

Step 3: Reinstall the Drain Plug

• Wipe the drain plug and oil pan area clean with shop towels.
• Install a new engine oil drain plug gasket onto the drain plug.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading. Cross-threading means the plug starts crooked and can damage the oil pan threads.
• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch torque wrench to tighten the drain plug.
• Torque to 40 Nm (30 ft-lbs).

Step 4: Remove the Oil Filter Housing

• Move the oil drain pan, 8-quart minimum under the oil filter housing.
• Use the 64mm 14-flute oil filter wrench (specialty), 3/8-inch extension, and 3/8-inch ratchet to loosen the plastic oil filter housing.
• A specialty tool is a tool made for a specific job; this one fits the Toyota cartridge filter housing without crushing it.
• Turn the housing counterclockwise slowly until oil starts to drain.
• Remove the housing completely by hand once it is loose.
• Do not use pliers here.

Step 5: Replace the Filter Cartridge and O-Ring

• Pull the old paper filter cartridge out of the reusable housing by hand.
• Use your fingers to remove the large O-ring from the housing. An O-ring is a round rubber seal that prevents leaks.
• Wipe the housing clean with shop towels.
• Lightly coat the new O-ring with fresh SAE 0W-20 full synthetic engine oil.
• Install the new O-ring into the correct groove on the housing. Do not place it on the threads.
• Push the new engine oil filter cartridge fully into the housing.

Step 6: Reinstall the Oil Filter Housing

• Start the oil filter housing by hand and turn it clockwise.
• Make sure it threads in smoothly. If it feels crooked or tight right away, stop and restart it.
• Use the 64mm 14-flute 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).

Step 7: Add Fresh Engine Oil

• Place a funnel into the engine oil fill opening on top of the engine.
• Pour in about 4.4 quarts of SAE 0W-20 full synthetic engine oil first.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap by hand.
• Wipe any spilled oil with shop towels.

Step 8: Start the Engine and Check for Leaks

• Make sure the oil drain pan, 8-quart minimum is clear of moving parts.
• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Use a flashlight if available to check around the drain plug and oil filter housing for leaks.
• Shut the engine off and wait 5 minutes so the oil can drain back into the oil pan.

Step 9: Set the Final Oil Level

• Pull out the dipstick and wipe it clean with shop towels.
• Reinsert the dipstick fully, then pull it out again to read the level.
• Add oil through the funnel in small amounts until the level is near the full mark.
• Total capacity is approximately 4.6 quarts with filter.
• Do not overfill. Too much oil can cause engine damage.

Step 10: Reset the Maintenance Reminder

• Use the steering wheel controls and ignition switch for the reset sequence.
• Turn the ignition to ON without starting the engine.
• Use the trip button or display controls to show Trip A on the instrument cluster.
• Turn the ignition OFF.
• Press and hold the trip reset button, then turn the ignition to ON without starting.
• Keep holding until the maintenance reset completes and the display shows completion.
• If your display uses the multi-information menu, select Settings > Maintenance Reset > Yes.

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✅ After Repair

• Check under your Highlander after a short drive for any oil drips.
• Recheck the oil level on level ground after the engine has been off for 5 minutes.
• Confirm the oil fill cap and dipstick are fully seated.
• Recycle the used oil and old filter at a proper recycling location.
• Write down the mileage and date of the oil change.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $35-$70 (parts only)

You Save: $55-$90 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.