🔧 Highlander - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

This service drains old engine oil, replaces the oil filter, and refills with the correct oil. Fresh oil protects your engine from wear and helps it run cooler and cleaner.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface and support your Highlander on jack stands before going underneath.
• ⚠️ Engine oil can be hot—let the engine cool 15-30 minutes to avoid burns.
• ⚠️ Never rely on a floor jack alone; always use jack stands.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off belts and exhaust parts to reduce smoke/odor.
• ⚠️ No battery disconnect is required for this job.

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🔧 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
• Drain pan (at least 8-quart)
• Funnel
• 14mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• Torque wrench (10-80 ft-lbs range)
• 10mm socket
• 64mm 14-flute oil filter cap wrench (specialty)
• Small flathead screwdriver
• Shop rags

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (SAE 0W-20 full synthetic) - Qty: 7 quarts
• Oil filter cartridge kit - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug gasket (crush washer) - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• Chock the rear wheels with wheel chocks.
• Start the engine for 1-2 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap by hand (this helps it drain smoothly).

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and support the front

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front at the correct front jacking point.
• Set the vehicle onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) placed at the front support points.
• Give the vehicle a gentle shake to confirm it’s stable before going underneath.

Step 2: Remove the lower engine cover access panel

• Place a drain pan (at least 8-quart) under the engine area.
• Use a 10mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to remove the bolts for the oil service access door (and/or nearby fasteners as needed).
• If plastic clips are present, use a small flathead screwdriver to pop the center pin, then remove the clip.

Step 3: Drain the engine oil

• Move the drain pan (at least 8-quart) directly under the oil pan drain plug.
• Use a 14mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug, then finish removing it 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 from your parts kit.

Step 4: Reinstall and torque the drain plug

• Wipe the oil pan sealing surface with shop rags.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a torque wrench (10-80 ft-lbs range) with a 14mm socket and Torque to 40 Nm (30 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Drain the oil filter housing (cartridge style)

• Locate the oil filter housing (it’s a round canister-style cap on the engine).
• Position the drain pan (at least 8-quart) under the filter housing area.
• Use the 64mm 14-flute oil filter cap wrench (specialty) with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the small filter housing drain plug (center plug) carefully.
• Let it drain, then reinstall the small drain plug and use a torque wrench (10-80 ft-lbs range) to Torque to 13 Nm (10 ft-lbs).
• A little oil spill is normal. Wipe up with shop rags.

Step 6: Remove the oil filter housing and replace the filter

• Use the 64mm 14-flute oil filter cap wrench (specialty) with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen and remove the main filter housing cap.
• Pull out the old filter cartridge by hand and let the housing drain into the drain pan (at least 8-quart).
• Replace the O-ring(s) included with your oil filter cartridge kit.
• Lightly coat the new O-ring(s) with fresh SAE 0W-20 (use your gloved finger) so they don’t pinch.
• Install the new filter cartridge into the housing.

Step 7: Reinstall and torque the filter housing

• Thread the filter housing cap in by hand first.
• Use the 64mm 14-flute oil filter cap wrench (specialty) and a torque wrench (10-80 ft-lbs range) to Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).
• Wipe the area clean with shop rags so you can spot leaks later.

Step 8: Reinstall the lower cover access panel

• Reinstall bolts/clips using the 10mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet.
• Make sure the panel sits flat and doesn’t rub on anything.

Step 9: Refill with new oil

• Lower the vehicle off the jack stands using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Insert a funnel into the oil fill hole.
• Pour in about 6.0 quarts of SAE 0W-20 full synthetic first.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap by hand.

Step 10: Start, check for leaks, then set the final oil level

• Start the engine and let it idle 30-60 seconds.
• Shut it off and wait 5 minutes.
• Check underneath for leaks at the drain plug and filter housing.
• Check the dipstick, then top off as needed to reach the full mark (typically ends up around 6.4 quarts total with filter).

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✅ After Repair

• Dispose of used oil and the old filter properly (most auto parts stores accept both).
• Wipe any spilled oil off the engine and splash shield with shop rags.
• Reset the maintenance reminder on your Highlander using the steering wheel controls: Settings > Vehicle Settings > Maintenance System > Oil Maintenance > Reset.
• Recheck the dipstick the next morning on level ground and top off if needed.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $90-$170 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $40-$80 (parts only)

You Save: $50-$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.

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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.