How to Change the Engine Oil and Oil Filter on a 2016 Toyota Tundra
Step-by-step instructions with tools, parts, torque specs, safety tips, and leak checks
How to Change the Engine Oil and Oil Filter on a 2016 Toyota Tundra
Step-by-step instructions with tools, parts, torque specs, safety tips, and leak checks
🔧 Engine Oil & Oil Filter - Oil Change
Change the engine oil and filter to keep the engine lubricated, clean, and protected. On your Tundra, the oil filter is a spin-on style, so this is a straightforward service if you work carefully and keep the truck level.
Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1-1.5 hours
⚠️ Safety & Precautions
- Let the engine cool before opening the drain plug or removing the filter. Hot oil can burn you.
- Set the parking brake and chock the rear wheels before lifting the front.
- Use jack stands under the frame. Never rely on a jack alone.
- Wear gloves and safety glasses. Used oil is dirty and can splash.
- Keep oil off the exhaust and skid plates. Wipe spills right away.
- No battery disconnect is required for this repair.
🔧 Required Tools
You'll need the following tools for this repair:
- 14mm socket
- 3/8-inch drive ratchet
- Torque wrench
- Oil filter wrench
- Drain pan
- Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
- Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
- Wheel chocks
- Funnel
- Shop towels
- Latex or nitrile gloves
- Safety glasses
🔩 Required Parts
HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:
- Engine oil (0W-20 full synthetic) - Qty: 8.5 quarts
- Oil filter - Qty: 1
- Drain plug gasket - Qty: 1
📋 Before You Begin
- Park on level ground.
- Apply the parking brake.
- Chock the rear wheels.
- If the engine is warm, let it cool enough to handle safely.
- Have the new filter, gasket, and oil ready before you start.
🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps in order:
Step 1: Raise and secure the front end
- Use the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front of the truck from a safe lift point.
- Place the truck on jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) under the frame.
- Make sure the truck is stable before crawling under it.
Step 2: Remove the lower engine cover if equipped
- Use the 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the lower cover fasteners.
- Set the cover and fasteners aside in order.
Step 3: Drain the old engine oil
- Position the drain pan under the oil pan drain plug.
- Use the 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen and remove the drain plug.
- Let the oil drain completely.
- Install a new drain plug gasket on the plug.
- Reinstall the drain plug and Torque to 39 Nm (29 ft-lbs).
Step 4: Remove the oil filter
- Move the drain pan under the oil filter area.
- Use the oil filter wrench to loosen the filter.
- Spin the filter off by hand and keep it upright to avoid spills.
- Make sure the old filter gasket came off with the filter.
Step 5: Install the new oil filter
- Lightly coat the new filter gasket with fresh engine oil.
- Use your hand to spin the new oil filter on until the gasket touches the base.
- Then tighten it another 3/4 turn by hand. Do not over-tighten.
- Hand-tight is usually enough.
Step 6: Refill with fresh engine oil
- Lower the truck back to level ground.
- Open the oil filler cap on top of the engine.
- Use the funnel to add about 8 quarts of engine oil (0W-20 full synthetic) first.
- Wait a minute, then check the dipstick and top off slowly until the oil level reaches the full mark.
- Do not overfill.
Step 7: Start and inspect
- Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
- Use the shop towels to check around the drain plug and filter for leaks.
- Shut the engine off and wait 5 minutes.
- Check the dipstick again and top off if needed.
✅ After Repair
- Verify the oil level one more time after a short test drive.
- Check under the truck for leaks after the drive.
- Reset the maintenance reminder if your dash shows one.
- Take the used oil and filter to a recycling center or auto parts store that accepts waste oil.
💰 DIY vs Shop Cost
Shop Cost: $120-$220 (parts + labor)
DIY Cost: $45-$85 (parts only)
You Save: $75-$135 by doing it yourself!
Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.8-1.0 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.

















