🔧 Camry - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

You’ll drain the old engine oil, replace the oil filter cartridge, then refill with fresh oil. This keeps your engine lubricated and helps prevent wear, sludge, and overheating.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1.0-1.5 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface and support the car with jack stands before going underneath.
• ⚠️ Engine oil can be hot—let the engine cool 15-30 minutes if it was just driven.
• ⚠️ Chock the rear wheels and set the parking brake before lifting the front.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off belts and exhaust parts; wipe spills immediately.
• Battery disconnect is not required for this service.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (at least 8-quart)
• Funnel
• Shop rags
• 10mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 3/8" ratchet
• 3/8" extension (6")
• Torque wrench (10-80 ft-lbs range)
• Oil filter cap wrench 64mm 14-flute (specialty)
• Small flathead screwdriver

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (SAE 0W-20 full synthetic) - Qty: 5 quarts
• Oil filter cartridge kit (includes filter + O-rings) - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug gasket (crush washer) - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• Warm the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• Open the hood and remove the oil filler cap (on top of the engine) to help the oil drain smoothly.
• Lift the front of the car with a floor jack and support it securely on jack stands.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the lower engine cover access panel

• Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• Use a 10mm socket with a 3/8" ratchet to remove the small service panel bolts under the front of the engine.
• If there are plastic clips, gently pry the center out with a small flathead screwdriver, then remove the clip.

Step 2: Drain the engine oil

• Place the drain pan under the oil pan drain plug.
• Use a 14mm socket with a 3/8" ratchet to loosen the drain plug, then finish by hand.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip (usually 5-10 minutes).
• Remove the old crush washer from the drain plug and install the new one.

Step 3: Reinstall the drain plug

• Thread the drain plug in by hand first (to avoid cross-threading).
• Use a torque wrench with a 14mm socket to tighten the drain plug: Torque to 40 Nm (30 ft-lbs).
• Wipe the area clean with shop rags.

Step 4: Drain the oil filter housing (cartridge style)

• Locate the oil filter housing at the front/bottom of the engine (behind the access panel).
• Reposition the drain pan under the filter housing.
• Use a 3/8" ratchet and extension (6") to remove the small drain plug in the center of the housing.
• Let the oil drain from the housing, then reinstall the small plug.
• Tighten with a torque wrench: Torque to 13 Nm (10 ft-lbs).
• The housing holds oil—expect a second “pour.”

Step 5: Remove the oil filter housing and replace the cartridge

• Use the oil filter cap wrench 64mm 14-flute (specialty) with a 3/8" ratchet to loosen the filter housing.
• Lower it carefully and keep it upright over the drain pan.
• Pull the old filter cartridge out of the housing.
• Use a small flathead screwdriver to remove the old O-ring(s) from the housing grooves.
• Install the new O-ring(s) from the filter kit and lightly coat them with fresh 0W-20 oil by dipping a gloved finger in the new oil.
• Install the new filter cartridge into the housing.

Step 6: Reinstall the oil filter housing

• Thread the housing on by hand until the O-ring seats.
• Use a torque wrench with the 64mm 14-flute cap wrench to tighten: Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).
• Wipe the housing and surrounding area with shop rags.

Step 7: Reinstall the underbody access panel

• Use a 10mm socket and 3/8" ratchet to reinstall the bolts and any clips you removed.

Step 8: Refill with new oil

• Lower the car off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Insert a funnel into the oil fill opening.
• Pour in 4.6 quarts of SAE 0W-20 full synthetic (this is the typical fill with filter change for your engine).
• Reinstall the oil filler cap.

Step 9: Start, check for leaks, and verify level

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Shut the engine off and wait 5 minutes.
• Check underneath for leaks at the drain plug and filter housing.
• Pull the dipstick, wipe, reinsert, then check level. Top off as needed to reach the full mark (usually a few ounces).

Step 10: Reset the maintenance reminder (if it’s on)

• Turn the ignition to ON (engine off).
• Use the dash button to display Trip A.
• Turn ignition OFF.
• Press and hold the trip reset button, then turn ignition ON (keep holding).
• Release when the maintenance reset completes (dashes/zeros finish counting).

---

✅ After Repair

• Recheck the oil level the next morning on a cold engine and top off if needed.
• Dispose of used oil and the old filter at an oil-recycling drop-off (most parts stores accept it).
• If you see drips, recheck the drain plug washer and filter housing O-ring seating.

---

💰 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 0.7-1.0 hours.

---

🎯 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.