How to Change an Oil Filter on a Toyota Highlander

Changing your own engine oil is an easy enough procedure, although a little messy. It can be accomplished with just a few tools, and can save you money on labor charges and other incurred costs from your local service station. As is the case with any vehicle, one of the more challenging parts of changing the oil in your Toyota Highlander is locating and removing the oil filter.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Replacement oil filter
• Oil filter wrench
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch drive extension
• Drain bucket
• Shop rag
• Rubber latex gloves (optional)

1. • 1

     Locate the oil filter. On most Toyota Highlander the oil filter location is in the front center of the motor between the radiator and the engine block underneath. To determine correctly, refer to the owners manual for location.

   • 2

     Loosen oil filter by turning it to the left. If it is the original oil filter, it will be black in color and will be secured very tightly. An oil filter wrench or preferably a foreign auto oil filter removal tool will work nicely with a 3/8-inch drive ratchet and extension. On the oil filter removal tool is a 3/8-inch molded insert for ratchet and extension. Just slightly loosen the oil filter; do not loosen enough to allow oil to drip down.

   • 3

     Place drain bucket beneath filter strategically to allow room for you to continue to loosen filter by hand and to catch oil that will drain from the filter when loosened enough.

   • 4

     Put on rubber latex gloves, if desired, and loosen the filter and allow the oil to drain to a trickle or drizzle. Remove filter and place in drain bucket.

   • 5

     Use a shop rag to clean the flange where the old oil filter was removed from. Make sure the rubber gasket from the old oil filter did not remain stuck to the flange.

   • 6

     Add a light coat of spent oil or fresh oil to the gasket of the new replacement filter, and screw on tightly. Do not over-tighten or use a wrench or tool to tighten the new oil filter. Add oil to accommodate for filter.

Tips & Warnings

• It is not recommended that you replace an oil filter and not replace the engine oil at the same time. You should perform a complete oil change every time per recommended mileage interval stated in maintenance manual, including draining the oil from the oil pan and then replacing the filter.

• Be extra cautious of the old oil filter gasket getting stuck on the flange of the oil filter neck. If you replace a new filter onto the neck with the old gasket still in place, you could create a major environmental mess and/or damage your motor.