Oil change procedures

Hi Bruce,

This guide will walk you through the steps with a video to help you see how the job is done.

https://youtu.be/q8OgZXghTYQ

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-change-engine-oil-and-filter

Please run down these guides and report back.

This post is late, but better late than never-the-less.

In 2008 Toyota redesigned all the oil filters to be internal to the engine. Upon completing this engineering masterpiece a new filter socket was introduced. It is very stiff and fits only this size filter. To date, no aftermarket companies build this tool and Toyota is still the only one that has them. We have removed the filters using some brute force methods, but it leaves the housing scarred and could eventually leak oil from the damage or become impossible to turn.

Until at least 2010 I recommend taking your Highlander to the dealer for oil changes. Try calling around to a well known shop and ask if they have the correct size wrench. (Do not accept an answer of "I'm sure we do." This means they don't).

Good luck,

Thank you for the input. It is very much appreciated.

I would like to apologise for the mistake made while replying to the question.

....hello,
2007 TOYOTA .." Highlander "....3.3L,...3000 miles........
gonna be doing my first { personal }...service,..on a hybrid..tomorrow..2-28-07......it looks about the same as a regular motor....i didnt look very hard, but...i didnt see an oil filter..........i noticed, where to add oil, and how the oil drains.........
.....is there a certain method, i should follow..
when servicing a hybrid,...or is it basically the same, as a regular motor.....also, should i go with ..synthetic oil..?
thank you,
Venice427

Go to the dealer on your first oil change. It is usually discounted and they do a good under check. Always use Toyota oil filters and the recommened 5W30 oil. If you change at 3K or 4K .

I see no advantage with synthectic oil for Toyota engines. They are bullet proof.

All you can see is the very end of the filter. You will need special tool that fits over the end of the filter and then it is a pain to change.

It is the worse filter to change in the past 30 years with the exception of a certain model of the Chevrolet Cavalier.

All Toyota's Hybrids are the same pain the way they mounted the filter, flush with the surrounding metal.

Good Luck losone

This light just came on for the first time. The manual does not tell me what it's for; but just how to turn it off. Do you know what this refers to? What needs to be done? Change the oil or what?

Hi jodanchrist,

This reminder light would come on afer a certain mileages is attained. When oil changes are made, you need to reset the mileage failing which it would show when the mileage accumulated after the previous reset is attained.

It is just a reminder and if you had done your services accordingly and is not due yet, just reset it. Remember to reset each time you do an oil change and it would not come on prematurely.

Hello guys here's a great question.Took my Toyota Highlander for a routine oil change provided the dealership with 5 quarts but when I looked at my reciept it say here "that they had to add an additional quart & charge over 8 dollars for the oil is there something strange about this the vehicle capacity is 5 quarts,is there some reason why the vehicle would require more oil than normal it's a 04 /v6 engine with 70 kmiles were we cheated?

Dont know why they did that unless your tech's car was down a quart! the spec with new fiter and 3.3 v6 is 5 qt. Did you inquire? Your owners manual should have this info, and you could show it to them as proof that they mistakenly charged for more oil than your truck holds!

My 2002 Toyota Highlander has an oil change every 3000 miles. It wasnt due yet, when my oil light went on. I stopped to have it checked, and it took 3 and 1/2 quarts of oil! I checked in my garage to see if there was a puddle where i park and there was none. How could this happen?

could be burning it. a wet and dry compression test will confirm.
check your oil every time you fuel up

Roy