My First Oil Change

edited to add a later post, here...

I change my own oil, and have done so in my 2001 Tundra for over twenty years, I can do it without spilling a drop! The dealership did the first 2 oil changes in my 4Runner and now I'm doing them myself, first one was yesterday, what a frickn' mess!! And that stupid little nipple you snap in to drain the oil filter housing, and is a pain in the @zz to get back out again! JEEZ, WTH!! Why in the hell couldn't they just use the screw on type filter like every other model?!

 

No way we're deleting this! We're gonna use this to start our usual weekly oil change argument. I'm a firm believer in every 5k miles myself. Anyone else who says otherwise is wrong, and probably a communist.

 

Only use extra virgin olive oil.

 

You don't want us to see the mess you created the "First time" you did it.

 

Who else but Quagmire!?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFwXG2vpZh4

 

This is inaccurate information from someone with a red 4runner with golden wheels.
Oil change has to be every 10000 miles using Avocado oil in Summer and Pecan oil in winter.

 

You know, for once...I agree with you. Avocado oil is the better choice.

 

Sorta! I change my own oil, and have done so in my 2001 Tundra for for over twenty years, I can do it without spilling a drop! The dealership did the first 2 oil changes in my 4Runner and now I'm doing them myself, first one was yesterday, what a frickn' mess!! And that stupid little nipple you snap in to drain the oil, and is a pain in the @zz to get back out again! JEEZ, WTH!! Why in the hell couldn't they just use the screw on type filter like every other model?!

 

You don’t need to use that nipple.

 

I too have been guilty and the first time was messy.

Get this tool and it will be easier next time-

$25 Motivx Tools Oil Filter Drain Tool Compatible with Toyota, Lexus and Scion Vehicles with Cartridge Style Oil Filter Systems

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B087QQW3S8/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_plhdr=t&aaxitk=9789014868cecae88a97d8844c87b892&hsa_cr_id=7186023710001&qid=1760917079&sr=1-2-9e67e56a-6f64-441f-a281-df67fc737124&pd_rd_w=YIarK&content-id=amzn1.sym.9f2b2b9e-47e9-4764-a4dc-2be2f6fca36d%3Aamzn1.sym.9f2b2b9e-47e9-4764-a4dc-2be2f6fca36d&pf_rd_p=9f2b2b9e-47e9-4764-a4dc-2be2f6fca36d&pf_rd_r=722T8J3JX87WFP9QZMDS&pd_rd_wg=SNP34&pd_rd_r=b41b4245-ac50-443d-9210-43b086d5aba6

 

I use a German brand called Veinner-Schlider for all my lubrication needs...

 

Wait.. you guys are changing oil?

I just reset the maintenance indicator since nothing is ever wrong every 5k miles

 

Doesn't that just create a new problem? Now I have a foot of plastic hose full of oil residue. Doesn't that drip all over something in between oil changes?

 

^no. This tool is just to drain the filter housing. OP just like many others have a hard time using the plastic thing that comes with the new filter that is supposed to drain the remaining amount of oil at the bottom and soaked on the filter. So you thread this in into the housing and direct the flow into a pan that way when you free the filter housing there is no splashing around. If you have skidplates this also friendly for that application that way you are not getting oil all over the skidplates and surrounding areas.
Something like this....

 

Cool, thanks. How do you store it when not in use? Do you have to clean the oil out of the tubing?

 

You can squeeze any oil left in the hose and nothing should be there. I have a dedicated bag with paper towels and a rag that has all these hoses and the funnel or whatever and it is kept dry no issues. Checkout the motovix tools and you can get ideas. Makes oil changes easy and more importantly clean.

 

I have a dedicated drawer in my tool box for oily items just like that. Thanks for the tip on using this to drain the housing.

 

I use an empty plastic Folgers coffee can/jug for the oil filter draining along with the brass filter draining tool. My oil is still draining/dripping into the main oil catch when I start on the filter. I always have a piece of cardboard underneath in case I drop or happen to spill something. It will take you a couple/few oil changes to find a system you like.

 

My oil changes are done every 10,000 miles or so and they are done in 20 minutes. And I never have any oily mess, don't even have to wash my hands...

And I get to talk to the very nice young woman my buddy hired as a receptionist at his shop... the shop that I've been using for 15 years.

Time is money. Use yours wisely...

 

The only thing I dislike about the 4Runner is that stupid cartridge style oil filter. It’s a pain in the ass and makes a mess no matter what you do. I don’t mess with the drain spout anymore. I just unscrew the whole canister and let it drip into a catch pan.

 

Sorry to butt in, but is Super Tech engine oil good oil?

 

Yeah that cartridge filter is a stupid idea by some stupid idiot in Toyota Corporate who probably got a promotion for this idiotic idea.

For 25 they went back to a conventional filter so the whole idea was just an exercise in idiocy overall.

 

I've grown to like the cartridge filter. Inspecting the element and bottom of the housing is easy without having to cut anything open. I hose-clamped a piece of heater hose to the plastic drain nipple thing and it's fine -- no mess and I didn't buy extra tools.

 

nah, i don't need no extra hoses. Toyota shoulda gave me one in the filter like the new gasket and drain plug thingy. I look forward to covering my self in oil LOL, no matter how carefully I try to muscle that stupid plug up in there. They made that only Arnold can push that thing in the drain plug.

 

To each their own but I just don’t get it why people have such trouble with changing the oil or lowering and reinstalling the TRD skid . With the filter I don’t use a nipple or hose . Crack the filter housing loose and wait a minute for excess to drip and then unscrew it. This is with nitrile gloves with the collection container right under the filter . Nothing spilled.
With the TRD skid use the floor jack to hold the weight while lowering and aligning while reinstalling. Easy .
Its not like we have to do it weekly.

 

I have one of the drain tools for the filter housing, and on my last oil change a few weeks ago, was all prepped to use it to not make a mess. Problem occurred when the drain plug on the filter housing was too tight, and the whole housing turned when I tried to loosen the plug. End result was doing exactly what you recommended. Loosen the housing until it drained, then let it do its thing for a bit, then remove it. All above the collection pan. A bit of a mess, but no huge deal. I can only blame myself for the plug being too tight, as I was the one who changed the oil last. I couldn't think of a way to hold the housing in place in order to remove the tightened plug.

 

I broke down recently and bought a strap wrench for another application, that crossed my mind when I read this.
Tools, You only need them when you need them!

 

I appreciate the tip. I have a strap wrench, but didn't see how I could finagle that thing up in there. A year from now, I'll try it again.

 

I put a cardboard box under the collection pan to raise it right under the filter housing . Like 6”. No room for it to splash and make a mess . Disposable nitrile gloves are great for this job.

 

I have a couple green silicone form a funnels,
Sometimes I’m lazy and let the skid hang on up front, form the funnel when I crack the housing off. I don’t mess with the drain cap anymore