🔧 Highlander - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Replacement

On your Highlander, an oil change means draining the old engine oil, replacing the cartridge-style oil filter inside its housing, then refilling with the correct oil. Doing this on schedule protects the V6 from wear and sludge and helps it run cooler and smoother.

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

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and support the SUV with jack stands before going underneath.
• ⚠️ Let the engine cool 15–30 minutes; hot oil can burn you.
• ⚠️ Keep the parking brake on and use wheel chocks on the rear wheels.
• ⚠️ Wear gloves and safety glasses; oil can irritate skin and eyes.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this job.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) - Qty: 2
• Wheel chocks - Qty: 2
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Oil drain pan (8-quart minimum)
• Funnel
• Shop towels
• 14mm socket
• 10mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive extension (6")
• Torque wrench (10–50 ft-lb range)
• 64mm 14-flute oil filter cap wrench (specialty)
• Small flat pick tool
• Trim clip remover

---

🔩 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 (with O-rings) - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1
• Replacement under-cover clips - Qty: 2 (optional)

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on a level surface, 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 fill cap (this helps oil drain smoothly).
• Raise the front of the SUV with a floor jack and set it securely on jack stands at the proper lift points.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the lower access cover

• Slide the oil drain pan (8-quart minimum) under the engine.
• Use a 10mm socket and trim clip remover to open/remove the small service door in the front under-cover (the panel that blocks access to the drain plug and filter).

Step 2: Drain the engine oil

• Use a 14mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the oil drain plug.
• Finish removing the plug by hand and let the oil drain completely into the pan.
• Remove the old crush washer from the drain plug (use the small flat pick tool if it’s stuck), and install the new crush washer.

Step 3: Reinstall and torque the drain plug

• Thread the drain plug in by hand first (prevents cross-threading).
• Tighten with a 14mm socket and torque wrench: Torque to 40 Nm (29 ft-lb).

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

• Locate the oil filter housing (a round cap-style housing near the drain plug area).
• Move the drain pan under the filter housing.
• Use a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the small filter-housing drain plug (center plug), then let it drain.
• This reduces the mess when removing the housing.
• Reinstall and tighten the small drain plug using a torque wrench: Torque to 13 Nm (10 ft-lb).

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

• Use the 64mm 14-flute oil filter cap wrench (specialty) with a 3/8" drive ratchet and extension (6") to loosen the housing cap.
• Remove the housing cap carefully; some oil may still drip.
• Pull out the old filter cartridge from the cap.
• Use the small flat pick tool to remove the old large O-ring from the housing cap groove.
• Install the new O-ring from the filter kit in the same groove, and lightly coat it with fresh 0W-20 engine oil (this prevents the O-ring from pinching).
• Install the new filter cartridge into the cap (it should seat firmly).

Step 6: Reinstall and torque the filter housing cap

• Thread the housing cap in by hand until it seats.
• Tighten with the 64mm 14-flute oil filter cap wrench (specialty) and a torque wrench: Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lb).

Step 7: Reinstall the under-cover access door

• Use the 10mm socket and trim clip remover to reinstall the service door/fasteners.
• Replace any broken clips (common if they’re brittle).

Step 8: Refill with new oil

• Lower the SUV off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Insert a funnel into the oil fill hole.
• Pour in 6.4 quarts (6.1 liters) of SAE 0W-20 full synthetic.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap.

Step 9: Start, check for leaks, then verify the oil level

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30–60 seconds.
• Turn the engine off and wait 5 minutes.
• Check underneath for leaks at the drain plug and filter housing.
• Use the dipstick to verify the level; top off as needed with 0W-20.

---

✅ After Repair

• 🧪 Recheck the dipstick level after your first short drive.
• 🧼 Wipe any spilled oil off the under-cover and surrounding area using shop towels.
• ♻️ Dispose of used oil and the old filter properly (most auto parts stores/shops accept used oil).
• Reset the maintenance reminder:
  • Use the steering wheel controls to open Settings (gear icon) > Vehicle Settings > Maintenance System > Oil Maintenance > Yes.
  • If your display menu is different, tell me what you see on the dash and I’ll give the exact button sequence.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: ₹3,500–₹6,000 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: ₹2,800–₹4,500 (parts only)

You Save: ₹700–₹1,500 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run ₹800–₹1,500/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0–1.5 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.