🔧 Tacoma - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Replacement

This job replaces the old engine oil and oil filter in your Tacoma. Fresh oil protects the 4.0L V6 from wear, helps cooling, and keeps internal engine parts clean.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground so the Tacoma is stable and the oil drains correctly.
• ⚠️ Let the engine cool until it is warm, not hot. Hot oil can burn skin.
• ⚠️ Never crawl under the Tacoma supported only by a jack. Use jack stands if you raise it.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses and nitrile gloves to protect your eyes and skin from used oil.
• ⚠️ Keep used oil away from pets, children, drains, soil, and waterways.

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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
• Torque wrench 10-80 ft-lbs
• Oil filter wrench 64mm 14-flute
• Drain pan 8-quart minimum
• Funnel
• Shop towels
• Plastic trim clip tool
• Floor jack rated 3-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 3-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil 5W-30 full synthetic or conventional API-rated - Qty: 5.5 quarts
• Spin-on engine oil filter - Qty: 1
• Engine oil drain plug gasket - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Tacoma on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Put the manual transmission in 1st gear, then turn the engine off.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• If raising the front, use a floor jack and support the Tacoma with jack stands before going underneath.
• Warm the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• An oil filter wrench grips the round oil filter so you can loosen it without crushing it.
• A torque wrench tightens bolts to the correct tightness so they are not loose or stripped.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Open the Hood and Remove the Oil Fill Cap

• Open the hood and locate the oil fill cap on top of the engine.
• Remove the oil fill cap by hand.
• Pull the dipstick up slightly by hand to help the oil drain smoothly.
• Tip: Set the cap where you cannot forget it.

Step 2: Raise and Secure the Front if Needed

• If you need more room, use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum at the front center jacking point.
• Place jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under the front frame support points.
• Lower the Tacoma gently onto the jack stands.
• Keep wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Shake the Tacoma lightly by hand to confirm it is stable before going underneath.

Step 3: Remove the Front Skid Plate if Equipped

• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the skid plate bolts if the plate blocks access to the drain plug or oil filter.
• Use a plastic trim clip tool to release any plastic clips if installed.
• Support the skid plate with one hand while removing the last fastener.
• Set the skid plate and hardware aside in order.

Step 4: Position the Drain Pan

• Place the drain pan 8-quart minimum under the engine oil drain plug.
• The drain plug is at the bottom of the engine oil pan.
• Move the pan slightly toward the rear because oil may shoot outward at first.

Step 5: Drain the Engine Oil

• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug.
• Remove the drain plug by hand while wearing nitrile gloves.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to a light drip.
• Remove the old drain plug gasket by hand and discard it.
• Wipe the drain plug with shop towels.
• Tip: Do not drop the plug into the pan.

Step 6: Reinstall the Drain Plug

• Install a new engine oil drain plug gasket onto the drain plug by hand.
• Thread the drain plug into the oil pan by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a torque wrench 10-80 ft-lbs with a 14mm socket to tighten the drain plug.
• Torque to 40 Nm (30 ft-lbs)

Step 7: Remove the Old Oil Filter

• Move the drain pan under the oil filter area.
• Use the oil filter wrench 64mm 14-flute with the 3/8-inch drive ratchet and extension to loosen the spin-on oil filter.
• Turn the filter counterclockwise until loose.
• Remove the filter by hand while keeping it upright to reduce spills.
• Check that the old rubber filter gasket came off with the old filter.
• If the old gasket is stuck to the engine, remove it by hand and wipe the mounting surface with shop towels.
• Tip: A double gasket can cause a big leak.

Step 8: Install the New Oil Filter

• Pour a small amount of fresh engine oil onto a gloved finger.
• Lightly coat the new oil filter rubber gasket by hand.
• Thread the new spin-on engine oil filter onto the engine by hand.
• Tighten it by hand until the gasket touches the mounting surface.
• Then tighten it an additional 3/4 turn by hand.
• If using the torque wrench 10-80 ft-lbs and oil filter wrench 64mm 14-flute, tighten carefully.
• Torque to 18 Nm (13 ft-lbs)

Step 9: Add New Engine Oil

• Place the funnel into the oil fill opening.
• Pour in 5.0 quarts of engine oil 5W-30 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.
• Use safety glasses and look under the Tacoma for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter.
• Do not put your hands near moving belts, fans, or hot exhaust parts.
• Shut the engine off.

Step 11: Set the Final Oil Level

• Wait 5 minutes so oil can drain back into the oil pan.
• Pull the dipstick out by hand 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 refill is usually about 5.5 quarts with filter replacement.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap by hand and seat the dipstick fully.

Step 12: Reinstall the Skid Plate if Removed

• Lift the skid plate into position by hand.
• Start all bolts by hand first.
• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to snug the bolts evenly.
• Use the torque wrench 10-80 ft-lbs with a 14mm socket for final tightening.
• Torque to 29 Nm (21 ft-lbs)

Step 13: Lower the Tacoma

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift the front slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands rated 3-ton minimum.
• Lower the Tacoma slowly to the ground with the floor jack.
• Remove the wheel chocks after the Tacoma is fully on the ground.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start the engine again and confirm the oil pressure warning light turns off within a few seconds.
• ✅ Check under the Tacoma one more time for leaks after a short idle.
• ✅ Take a short drive, park on level ground, wait 5 minutes, and recheck the dipstick.
• ✅ Record the mileage and date for your next oil change.
• ✅ Dispose of used oil and the old filter at a proper recycling center or auto parts store that accepts used oil.

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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 0.5-0.8 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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