🔧 Highlander - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Replacement

This service drains the old engine oil, replaces the oil filter element and seals, then refills with the correct oil. Fresh oil protects your engine from wear and keeps variable valve timing and lubrication working correctly.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.0-2.0 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface and support your Highlander on jack stands, not just a jack.
• ⚠️ Engine oil can be hot—let the engine cool 15–30 minutes to avoid burns.
• ⚠️ Keep rags handy; oil will spill when removing the filter housing.
• ⚠️ If you raise the vehicle, chock the rear wheels before lifting the front.

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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) - Qty: 2
• Wheel chocks - Qty: 2
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (at least 10-quart)
• Funnel
• Shop rags
• Metric socket set
• 14mm socket
• 10mm socket
• Ratchet
• Torque wrench (10–80 ft-lbs range)
• Oil filter housing cap wrench 64mm 14-flute (specialty)
• Small pick tool (specialty)
• Oil filter housing drain tool with hose (specialty)

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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 element (cartridge type) - Qty: 1
• Oil filter housing O-ring set - Qty: 1
• Engine oil drain plug gasket (crush washer) - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to P, and set the parking brake.
• Warm the engine for 2–3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap to help the crankcase vent while draining.
• If lifting the front, place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels, then lift and support with jack stands.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the lower engine cover (if equipped)

• Place the drain pan under the engine area.
• Use a 10mm socket and ratchet to remove the access panel/fasteners for the oil drain and filter area.
• Set fasteners aside in a small pile so nothing gets lost.

Step 2: Drain the engine oil

• Position the drain pan under the oil pan drain plug.
• Use a 14mm socket and ratchet to loosen and remove the drain plug.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip (usually 5–10 minutes).
• Remove the old drain plug gasket and install the new one.
• Reinstall the drain plug by hand first, then use a torque wrench: Torque to 40 Nm (30 ft-lbs).

Step 3: Drain the oil filter housing (cartridge filter setup)

• Find the oil filter housing under the engine (it looks like a round “cup”).
• Move the drain pan under the filter housing.
• Use the oil filter housing drain tool with hose (specialty) to drain the housing first (this reduces the mess).
• If your housing has a small drain plug, use a socket set as needed, then reinstall it and use a torque wrench: Torque to 13 Nm (9 ft-lbs).
• A “cartridge filter” is a paper element inside a reusable housing.

Step 4: Remove the oil filter housing and replace the filter

• Use the oil filter housing cap wrench 64mm 14-flute (specialty) with a ratchet to loosen and remove the housing.
• Pull the old filter element out of the housing and discard it.
• Use the small pick tool (specialty) to remove the old O-ring(s) from the housing grooves.
• Install the new O-ring(s) in the same grooves, then wipe a light film of fresh oil on the O-rings (use a dab of new oil on a gloved finger).
• Install the new filter element into the housing.

Step 5: Reinstall the oil filter housing

• Thread the housing in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the oil filter housing cap wrench 64mm 14-flute (specialty) and torque wrench: Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).
• Wipe any oil off the housing and surrounding area with shop rags.

Step 6: Reinstall the lower cover/access panel

• Use the 10mm socket and ratchet to reinstall the access panel/fasteners.
• Make sure nothing is hanging down that could rub while driving.

Step 7: Refill with engine oil

• Lower the vehicle from the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Insert a funnel into the oil fill hole.
• Add SAE 0W-20 full synthetic. Start with about 6.0 quarts.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap.
• 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 to reach the “full” mark. (Total fill is typically about 6.4 quarts with filter change.)

Step 8: Reset the oil maintenance reminder

• Turn ignition ON (engine off).
• On the instrument cluster screen, use the steering wheel buttons and follow one of these paths (your Highlander may vary by display):
• Path A (cluster/MID): Menu > Settings (gear icon) > Vehicle Settings > Maintenance System > Oil Maintenance > Reset
• Path B (if shown differently): Settings > Vehicle Settings > Scheduled Maintenance > Reset

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✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and check underneath for leaks at the drain plug and filter housing.
• Re-check the oil level on the dipstick after a short 5–10 minute drive and top off if needed.
• Dispose of used oil and the filter element properly (parts stores often take used oil for recycling).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $120-$220 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $45-$90 (parts only)

You Save: $75-$130 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.5 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.