🔧 Highlander - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

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

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface and support your Highlander with jack stands if you raise it. Never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Hot oil can burn skin. Let the engine cool until it is warm, not hot, before removing the drain plug.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses and nitrile gloves. Used engine oil is harmful to skin.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off belts, exhaust parts, and the driveway. Clean spills right away.
• ⚠️ 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 drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch drive torque wrench
• 64mm 14-flute oil filter cap wrench (specialty)
• 3/8-inch drive extension
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Oil drain pan, 8-quart minimum
• Funnel
• Floor jack, 2-ton minimum
• Jack stands, 2-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:

• SAE 0W-20 full synthetic engine oil - Qty: 4.6 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, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels before lifting the front.
• 🌡️ Run the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• 🔩 If you raise the front, use a floor jack and jack stands. A jack stand is a metal support that safely holds the vehicle after lifting.
• ♻️ Have a sealed container ready for used oil. Recycle used oil and the old filter properly.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

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

• Use your hands to open the hood and secure it with the hood prop if needed.
• Use your hands to remove the engine oil fill cap on top of the engine.
• Pull the dipstick up slightly. The dipstick is the oil level measuring stick.
• This helps oil drain smoothly.

Step 2: Raise and Support the Front

• Use wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Use a floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to lift the front at the front center jacking point.
• Use jack stands rated 2-ton minimum under the proper front support points.
• Gently lower your Highlander onto the jack stands before going underneath.
• Use safety glasses before working below the vehicle.

Step 3: Position the Drain Pan

• Use an 8-quart minimum oil drain pan under the engine oil drain plug.
• The drain plug is the bolt at the bottom of the engine oil pan.
• Use shop towels nearby for drips.

Step 4: Drain the Old Engine Oil

• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the oil drain plug.
• Finish removing the plug by hand while pressing inward slightly, then pull it away quickly.
• Let the oil drain until it becomes a slow drip.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver or your fingers to remove the old crush washer from the drain plug if it sticks. A crush washer is a soft sealing washer that should be replaced each oil change.

Step 5: Reinstall the Drain Plug

• Use shop towels to wipe the oil pan sealing surface clean.
• Install the new oil drain plug crush washer onto the drain plug by hand.
• 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).
• Stop tightening when the torque wrench clicks.

Step 6: Remove the Oil Filter Housing

• Move the oil drain pan under the oil filter housing.
• 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 housing.
• The oil filter housing is the round plastic cap that holds the paper filter cartridge.
• Unscrew the housing slowly by hand after it is loose. Some oil will drain out.

Step 7: Replace the Filter Cartridge and O-Ring

• Use your hands to pull the old paper oil filter cartridge out of the housing.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver carefully to remove the old O-ring from the filter housing groove. An O-ring is a rubber seal that prevents oil leaks.
• Use clean engine oil on your gloved finger to lightly coat the new O-ring.
• Install the new O-ring into the same groove on the oil filter housing.
• Push the new oil filter cartridge into the housing by hand until seated.
• Do not twist or pinch the O-ring.

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 cap wrench, 3/8-inch drive extension, and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the housing to Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).
• Wipe the area clean with shop towels so leaks are easy to spot later.

Step 9: Lower the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack to lift your Highlander slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands by hand.
• Use the floor jack to lower the vehicle fully to the ground.
• Remove the wheel chocks after the vehicle is safely on the ground.

Step 10: Add Fresh Engine Oil

• Use a funnel in the oil fill opening.
• Pour in about 4.3 quarts of SAE 0W-20 full synthetic engine oil first.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap by hand.
• Use shop towels to wipe any spilled oil.

Step 11: Start the Engine and Check for Leaks

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Use safety glasses and look underneath for oil leaks at the drain plug and oil filter housing.
• Shut the engine off and wait 5 minutes so the oil can settle back into the pan.

Step 12: Check and Set the Oil Level

• Use your hands to pull the dipstick out.
• Wipe it clean with a shop towel.
• Reinsert the dipstick fully, then pull it out again.
• The oil level should be between the low and full marks, ideally near full.
• Use the funnel to add small amounts of oil if needed. Do not overfill.
• Total refill is about 4.6 quarts with filter change.

Step 13: Reset the Maintenance Reminder

• Use the steering wheel buttons and ignition switch for this reset.
• Turn the ignition ON without starting the engine.
• Use the trip button to display Trip A on the instrument cluster.
• Turn the ignition OFF.
• Press and hold the trip button.
• While holding the trip button, turn the ignition ON again without starting the engine.
• Keep holding until the maintenance reset finishes and the display clears.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Check the oil level again after your first short drive and top off only if needed.
• ✅ Look under your Highlander for drips after it sits for 10-15 minutes.
• ✅ Confirm the maintenance reminder is reset.
• ✅ Recycle the used oil, old filter cartridge, and oily shop towels at an approved recycling center.
• ✅ Write down the mileage and date of the oil change.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

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

You Save: $55-$90 USD equivalent 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.