🔧 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 old oil, replace the cartridge-style oil filter element, install new seals, refill with the correct oil, and check for 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.
• ⚠️ Park on level ground and use jack stands if lifting the front. Never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses and nitrile gloves. Used engine oil is harmful to skin.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off the exhaust and belts. Wipe spills before starting the engine.
• ⚠️ 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 extension
• 64mm 14-flute oil filter cap wrench (specialty)
• 3/8-inch drive torque wrench
• Oil drain pan 8-quart minimum
• Plastic trim clip remover
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Small pick tool
• Oil funnel
• Shop towels
• Floor jack 3-ton minimum
• Jack stands 3-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil 0W-20 full synthetic - Qty: 5.8 quarts
• Engine oil filter cartridge - Qty: 1
• Oil filter cap O-ring - Qty: 1
• Oil filter drain plug O-ring - Qty: 1
• Engine oil drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Highlander on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels before lifting the front.
• 🌡️ Let the engine sit 10-15 minutes if it was just driven. Warm oil drains faster, but it should not be hot.
• 🔎 A cartridge filter uses a reusable plastic/metal housing with a replaceable paper filter inside.
• 🧰 A torque wrench is a tool that tightens bolts to an exact tightness so parts are not damaged.
• ♻️ Have a sealed container ready for used oil and recycle it at an approved oil collection site.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and Secure the Front

• Use the floor jack 3-ton minimum at the front center jacking point to lift the front of your Highlander.
• Place jack stands 3-ton minimum under the front support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands and lightly shake the vehicle 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 plastic trim clip remover or flat-blade screwdriver to remove the clips from the small lower engine undercover access panel.
• Set the clips and panel aside where they will not get stepped on.

Step 3: Remove the Oil Filler Cap

• Open the hood and remove the engine oil filler cap by hand.
• Pull the dipstick up slightly by hand.
• This helps the oil drain more smoothly.

Step 4: Drain the Engine Oil

• Place the oil drain pan 8-quart minimum under the engine oil drain plug.
• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug.
• Finish removing the plug by hand while pressing inward slightly, then pull it away quickly.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip.
• Remove the old crush washer from the drain plug by hand or with a small pick tool.
• Do not reuse the crush washer.

Step 5: Reinstall the Drain Plug

• Install a 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 to Torque to 40 Nm (30 ft-lbs).
• Wipe the area clean with shop towels.

Step 6: Drain the Oil Filter Housing

• Move the oil drain pan 8-quart minimum under the oil filter housing.
• Use the 3/8-inch drive ratchet and the square drive on the small oil filter housing drain plug to loosen and remove the plug.
• Let the oil drain from the housing.
• Remove the old small O-ring from the filter drain plug with a small pick tool.
• Lightly coat the new oil filter drain plug O-ring with clean engine oil by hand and install it onto the plug.

Step 7: Remove the Oil Filter Cap

• Use the 64mm 14-flute oil filter cap wrench, 3/8-inch drive extension, and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the oil filter cap.
• Unscrew the cap by hand once loose.
• Remove the old paper filter element from the cap by hand.
• Use a small pick tool to remove the large O-ring from the filter cap.
• Pick tools can scratch plastic; be gentle.

Step 8: Install the New Oil Filter

• Wipe the oil filter cap clean with shop towels.
• Lightly coat the new oil filter cap O-ring with clean 0W-20 oil by hand.
• Install the new O-ring into the correct groove on the cap, not on the threads.
• Push the new engine oil filter cartridge into the cap by hand until it seats fully.
• Thread the cap into the housing by hand first.
• Use the 64mm 14-flute oil filter cap wrench and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the filter cap to Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).
• Install the small oil filter drain plug and tighten with the 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to Torque to 13 Nm (10 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Reinstall the Lower Access Panel

• Use your hands to position the lower access panel.
• Use the plastic trim clip remover or flat-blade screwdriver to reinstall the clips.
• Make sure the panel is secure and not hanging down.

Step 10: Lower the Vehicle

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

Step 11: Refill the Engine Oil

• Place the oil funnel into the engine oil filler opening.
• Pour in about 5.5 quarts of engine oil 0W-20 full synthetic.
• Install the oil filler cap by hand.
• Push the dipstick fully back in by hand.

Step 12: Start and Check for Leaks

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Turn the engine off and wait 5 minutes so the oil can drain back into the pan.
• Use shop towels and a light if needed to check around the drain plug and oil filter housing for leaks.
• If you see a drip, do not drive until the leak is corrected.

Step 13: Set the Final Oil Level

• Pull the dipstick out by hand and wipe it with shop towels.
• Reinsert it fully, then pull it out again to read the level.
• Add oil through the oil funnel in small amounts until the level is near the full mark.
• Total refill is usually about 5.8 quarts with filter replacement.
• Do not overfill the engine.

Step 14: Reset the Maintenance Reminder

• Turn the ignition ON without starting the engine using the key or Start button.
• Use the steering wheel controls to select the odometer/trip display.
• 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 without starting the engine.
• Keep holding until the maintenance reset completes on the display.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Confirm the oil level is between the low and full marks after the engine has sat for 5 minutes.
• ✅ Recheck under your Highlander for leaks after the first short drive.
• ✅ Make sure the maintenance reminder is reset.
• ✅ Recycle the used oil and old filter at an approved oil 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: $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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