🔧 Tacoma - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Replacement

This service replaces the used engine oil and oil filter so your Tacoma’s 3.5L V6 stays properly lubricated and protected. You’ll drain the old oil, replace the cartridge-style oil filter, reinstall everything with new seals, and refill with fresh oil.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 45-75 minutes

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface and let the engine cool until warm, not hot. Hot oil can burn skin.
• 🧤 Wear gloves and safety glasses. Used engine oil is irritating to skin and eyes.
• 🚫 Never rely on a jack alone. Use jack stands if lifting your Tacoma.
• 🔋 Battery disconnect is not required for this oil change.
• 🌱 Collect all used oil in a drain pan and recycle it properly.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 14mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch drive torque wrench
• 64mm 14-flute oil filter wrench (specialty)
• 3/8-inch drive extension
• Oil drain pan 8-quart minimum
• Funnel
• Flat trim clip remover
• Shop towels
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Floor jack rated 3-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 3-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil 0W-20 full synthetic - Qty: 6.2 quarts
• Engine oil filter cartridge kit - Qty: 1
• Engine oil drain plug gasket - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Tacoma on level ground.
• Set the parking brake and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• If more room is needed, lift the front with a floor jack and support it with jack stands. A jack stand is a metal support that safely holds the vehicle after lifting.
• Run the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• Open the hood and remove the engine oil filler cap to help the oil drain smoothly.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Position the Drain Pan

• Put on nitrile gloves and safety glasses.
• Slide the oil drain pan under the engine oil drain plug.
• The drain plug is on the bottom of the engine oil pan.
• Oil may shoot outward at first.

Step 2: Remove the Engine Oil Drain Plug

• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug.
• Finish removing the plug by hand while keeping pressure against it until the threads release.
• Let the oil drain into the pan until it slows to an occasional drip.
• Remove and discard the old drain plug gasket.

Step 3: Reinstall the Drain Plug

• Wipe the drain plug and oil pan sealing surface clean with shop towels.
• Install a new engine oil drain plug gasket onto the drain plug.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading. Cross-threading means the threads are started crooked and can damage the oil pan.
• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the drain plug.
• Torque to 40 Nm (30 ft-lbs)

Step 4: Access the Oil Filter Housing

• Move the drain pan under the oil filter housing area.
• The Tacoma uses a cartridge-style oil filter. A cartridge filter is the paper filter element inside a reusable plastic or metal housing.
• If the lower access panel is in the way, use a flat trim clip remover to remove the plastic clips, then set the panel aside.

Step 5: Remove the Oil Filter Housing

• Place the 64mm 14-flute oil filter wrench onto the oil filter housing cap.
• Use a 3/8-inch drive ratchet and 3/8-inch drive extension to turn the housing counterclockwise.
• Lower the housing carefully because it will contain oil.
• Empty the oil from the housing into the drain pan.

Step 6: Replace the Filter Cartridge and O-Ring

• Pull the old filter cartridge out of the housing by hand.
• Remove the old O-ring from the filter housing. An O-ring is a round rubber seal that prevents leaks.
• Lightly coat the new O-ring with fresh 0W-20 full synthetic engine oil.
• Install the new O-ring in the same groove where the old one was removed.
• Push the new filter cartridge fully into the housing.
• Do not twist or pinch the O-ring.

Step 7: Reinstall the Oil Filter Housing

• Thread the oil filter housing back into place by hand first.
• Use the 64mm 14-flute oil filter wrench, 3/8-inch drive extension, and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten it.
• Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs)
• If you removed the lower access panel, reinstall it using the original clips and push them in by hand.

Step 8: Refill the Engine Oil

• Place a funnel into the engine oil fill opening.
• Pour in about 5.8 quarts of 0W-20 full synthetic engine oil first.
• Reinstall the oil filler cap by hand.

Step 9: Start and Check for Leaks

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Shut the engine off.
• Use a flashlight if needed and inspect the drain plug and oil filter housing for leaks.
• If you see oil dripping, do not drive until the leak is fixed.

Step 10: Check and Set Final Oil Level

• Wait 5 minutes so the oil can drain back into the oil pan.
• Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean with a shop towel, reinstall it fully, then remove it again.
• Add oil slowly through the funnel until the level is near the full mark.
• Total refill capacity with filter is about 6.2 quarts.
• Do not overfill. Too much oil can damage the engine.

Step 11: Reset the Maintenance Reminder

• Use the steering wheel buttons to turn the ignition on without starting the engine.
• On the instrument display, go to Settings > Maintenance Reset.
• Select Yes when asked to reset the maintenance data.
• If that menu is not shown, turn the ignition off, then use the trip button to display Trip A. Turn ignition off, hold the trip button, turn ignition on, and keep holding until the reset completes.

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✅ After Repair

• Check the oil level again after your first short drive.
• Look underneath for any fresh oil around the drain plug or oil filter housing.
• Recycle the used oil and old filter at an approved oil recycling location.
• Write down the mileage and date of the oil change.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $100-$170 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $45-$80 (parts only)

You Save: $55-$90 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.5-0.8 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.