Finding a place to replace your car’s oil is the first step. Without ramps or a lift, I can fit under my 4Runner; if you must or would rather raise your car, do so as necessary.
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Step 2Grab some Latex Gloves
Put on some latex gloves and get ready to replace the oil in your 4Runner. Even though it’s not necessary, I think it’s important to keep your hands as free of grease and oils as you can. Using gloves also facilitates a speedy cleanup because grease can occasionally be very challenging to remove from your hands.
Step 3Remove Skid Plate Cover
In order to access the oil drain plug on a 4Runner that has a front skid plate, you will need to remove the tiny cover that is attached to the skid plate.
This cover must be removed using a 12mm socket and ratchet. The tiny skid plate that protects the oil drain plug should be placed aside after the bolts have been removed. To make it simple to find the bolts when it comes time to replace this cover, I advise putting them on top of this small skid plate.
Step 4Remove the oil drain plug
Get ready to drain the oil from your 4Runner by removing the oil drain plug. You will want a container to catch the oil that drips below in order to perform this. Despite the fact that some oil is wasted during vehicle operation, anticipate at least 6.6 quarts to emerge (as this is how much you put in).
Use a 14mm socket and ratchet to unbolt the drain plug after setting a container underneath it to capture the oil. When the drain plug is sufficiently loose, unscrew it by hand.
Hold onto the drain plug tightly to prevent dropping it into the oil collect container. Oil will pour out quickly when you remove the drain plug, so be ready to get your hand out of the way and allow the oil to drain into the container.
You can use a fresh microfiber cloth to remove any impurities from the drain stopper in the interim. The drain stopper should then be stored till a later time.
Step 5Remove the Front Skid Plate & Cover
Remove the front skid plate and skid plate cover while your oil is draining. If you’re wondering why you need to do that, the oil filter needs to be changed. The front skid plate and skid plate cover must be removed in order to reach the oil filter.
A 10mm socket and ratchet are required to remove five (5) bolts in order to remove the cover. There is also one push pin that needs to be taken out. The four (4) bolts holding on the skid plate can then be removed once the cover has been removed.
Use a ratchet and a 12mm socket to remove these bolts. Words of wisdom that are crucial: On the skid plate, start by removing the front bolts. After that, you will need to remove the back two while holding up the skid plate. The skid plate will fall and hit you if you don’t hold it while removing the final bolt. Despite not weighing much, it probably won’t feel comfortable. The skid plate’s front is attached to an unhooking hinge.
To detach the skid plate from the hinge, slowly rotate the back of the skid plate downward. Set the skid plate aside with the bolts attached or close by after removing it.
Step 6Remove the Oil Filter
You will now want to remove the oil filter, which is the trickiest but still manageable step in the entire procedure in my opinion. Reinstall your drain plug and the little skid plate that covers the drain plug first, then remove the filter. Move the container you’re using to collect your oil afterward so that it is situated just beneath the oil filter.
Remove the metal plug from the oil filter by using a ratchet with a 3/8-inch extension. Make sure you have a container to catch any oil that drips out. A plastic tool to further drain some oil should be included with your new oil filter. Simply put it into the filter’s base to complete the process. After then, the oil ought to drain off. Remove the plastic drain tool after the oil has completed draining. A little O-ring ought to come out as well as the plastic drain tool. Throw the drain tool and the tiny O-ring in the trash because this is garbage.
You can now take out the actual filter. Remove the filter housing by using your 64 mm filter wrench. Be sure to pay attention to a little metal tab on the housing’s side. When the filter is turned back on, this tab should align to the same spot. Remove the old filter from the housing by fully unscrewing it, then toss it away.
The housing also has an O-ring that needs to be taken out. This O-ring should be simple to remove by hand without the use of any pry tools. You should avoid damaging the plastic threads by doing this by hand.
Step 7New O-ring from the filter box
Take your replacement O-ring out of the filter box, and apply a thin layer of oil on it. Place it on the filter housing once you’ve finished. Make sure it is completely seated. The replacement filter should then be inserted into the housing. There is no correct way to climb, thus orientation is not a concern.
Step 8Screw the filter assembly back in
You ensure that the metal indicator tab is back in the same location as before removing the filter housing, be sure to tighten the screw until it does. The tiny O-ring should now be placed on the filter housing’s drain region after being lightly coated with oil. This completes the installation of the small O-ring. The metal drain plug can then be put back into the filter housing after you’ve finished. Just make sure it is snug; you don’t need to overtighten it.
Step 9Oil Change
Install 6.6 quarts of 0W-20 oil into your 4Runner after making sure that your drain plug and oil filter are back in their proper locations. Because you don’t want to spill oil on your engine, use a funnel for this.
Step 10Check for Leaks
Check the area surrounding the drain plug and filter housing to make sure there are no leaks after installing all 6.6 quarts of oil. Install the skid plate and skid plate cover if you are unable to locate any.
Step 11Reset your maintenance light
You must reset your maintenance light after completing the actual oil change procedure so that you will know when to do it again. You’ll need your car’s key to achieve this.
Your key should be in accessory mode (far as the key will go without actually starting the vehicle).
Make sure Trip A is showing on your odometer. If it isn’t, select Trip A by turning the dial to the right of the speedometer.
Turn the key to the off position after confirming that it indicates trip A. Turn the key back to the accessory position after pressing and holding down the odometer button. The maintenance resetting ought to appear on the screen.
Hold the odometer button down until the maintenance light turns off. You are now ready to go for an additional 5,000 miles.
CONCLUSION
Although there are certain vehicles that make changing the oil a little simpler, the 4Runner’s oil can be changed very quickly and with little difficulty.
Since the 4Runner may travel over some very rough terrain, you should take the time to maintain your car to the best of your ability and guard against any potential damage.
Every 5,000 miles, you should get a quality synthetic oil change with Mobil 1 to ensure your car performs well, lasts a long time, and is reliable on the open road.