🔧 Avalon - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

You’ll drain the old engine oil, replace the oil filter element, then refill with the correct oil. This keeps your Avalon’s V6 properly lubricated and helps prevent engine wear.

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

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface and let the engine cool 20-30 minutes to avoid burns.
• ⚠️ Never get under a car supported only by a jack—use jack stands.
• ⚠️ Wear gloves and safety glasses; hot oil can splash when the drain plug comes out.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off the serpentine belt and exhaust parts.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this service.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• 14mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive torque wrench (10-80 ft-lbs range)
• 10mm socket
• Trim clip removal tool
• Oil drain pan (10-quart minimum)
• Funnel
• Shop rags
• 64mm 14-flute oil filter cap wrench (specialty)
• 3/8" drive extension (3"-6")
• Small pick tool (specialty)

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (0W-20 full synthetic) - Qty: 7 quarts
• Oil filter element - Qty: 1
• Oil filter housing O-ring set - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Avalon on level ground, apply the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels.
• Warm the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• Open the hood and remove the oil filler cap by hand to help the oil drain quicker.
• If you lift the front: place the floor jack at the front center jack point, then support with jack stands at the approved front side points.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Access the drain plug and oil filter housing

• Raise the front of the car with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) and set it securely on jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Use a 10mm socket and trim clip removal tool to remove the lower engine undercover (the splash shield) as needed to reach the drain plug and filter housing.

Step 2: Drain the engine oil

• Place the oil drain pan (10-quart minimum) under the oil pan drain plug.
• Use a 14mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen and remove the drain plug (turn counterclockwise).
• Let the oil drain until it slows to a drip (typically 5-10 minutes).
• Remove the old crush washer from the drain plug and install the new one.

Step 3: Reinstall and torque the drain plug

• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 3/8" drive torque wrench (10-80 ft-lbs range) 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: Replace the oil filter element (cartridge-style)

• Move the oil drain pan (10-quart minimum) under the oil filter housing (it will spill some oil).
• Use the 64mm 14-flute oil filter cap wrench (specialty) with a 3/8" drive ratchet and 3/8" drive extension (3"-6") to loosen the filter housing cap.
• Once loose, finish removing it by hand and pull out the old filter element.
• Use a small pick tool (specialty) to remove the old O-ring(s) from the filter housing cap.
• Install the new O-ring(s). Lightly coat them with fresh engine oil (0W-20 full synthetic) using a fingertip.
• Install the new filter element into the housing/cap in the same orientation as the old one.

Step 5: Reinstall and torque the oil filter housing

• Thread the filter housing cap in by hand until the O-ring seats smoothly.
• Use the 64mm 14-flute oil filter cap wrench (specialty) and 3/8" drive torque wrench (10-80 ft-lbs range) to tighten: Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).
• Wipe the area clean with shop rags.

Step 6: Reinstall the undercover

• Reinstall the splash shield using the 10mm socket and any clips removed with the trim clip removal tool.
• Lower the car safely using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).

Step 7: Refill with oil and verify the level

• Insert a funnel into the oil fill opening.
• Pour in about 6.0 quarts of engine oil (0W-20 full synthetic) first.
• Reinstall the oil filler cap by hand.
• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds, then shut it off.
• Wait 5 minutes, then check the dipstick and top off as needed (typical fill is about 6.4 quarts with filter, but always finalize by the dipstick).

Step 8: Reset the oil maintenance reminder

• Path A (Multi-Information Display): Use steering-wheel buttons to go to Settings > Vehicle Settings > Scheduled Maintenance > Yes/Reset.
• Path B (Odometer button method): Use the dash ODO/TRIP button to select Trip A, turn ignition OFF, then press and hold ODO/TRIP while turning ignition to ON (engine off) until the reset completes.

---

✅ After Repair

• With the engine running, look underneath for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter housing.
• Recheck the dipstick after a short 5-10 minute drive and top off if needed.
• Dispose of used oil and the old filter at a recycling center or auto parts store (most accept it free).

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $110-$190 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $45-$85 (parts only)

You Save: $65-$105 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.8-1.2 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.