Moderate⏱ 45 min - 1 h18 steps·Original on iFixit ↗

2016-2023 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport Oil/Oil Filter Replacement

If this is your first oil change, note that this process might take a little longer than you expect. Overall, this is a valuable skill that could save you money over the lifespan of your vehicle. I recommend using original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts, such as Genuine Toyota Motor Oil and the Genuine Toyota branded oil filter kit shown in the tool list. These supplies can be bought online or directly from any nearby Toyota dealership. Lastly, please ensure that all used motor oil is properly disposed of by delivering it to a certified collection center (COC).

Tools (13)

Funnel buy ↗
Oil Drain Pan buy ↗
3/8" Drive Ratchet buy ↗
3/8 inch Drive Socket Ratchet Extension buy ↗
10mm Socket buy ↗
12mm Socket (3/8in Drive) buy ↗
14mm Socket (3/8in Drive) buy ↗
1/2" Drive Ratchet buy ↗
1/2" Ratchet Extension buy ↗
Nitrile Gloves 100 Box buy ↗
Safety Glasses buy ↗
Shop Towels or Rags buy ↗
Toyota 64mm Oil Filter Wrench buy ↗

Parts (2)

Oil Filter Toyota Tacoma 2016-2017 buy ↗
0W-20 Motor Oil buy ↗

Step-by-step instructions

Prepare Vehicle for Maintenance

If driven recently, allow at least thirty minutes to one hour before draining the engine oil. Immediately after driving, the engine oil in your car can reach temperatures of up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit!
Ensure vehicle is turned off before performing maintenance.
Open the hood of the vehicle by pressing the hood latch located to the left of the steering wheel.
Note: It is recommended to place an oil drip pan underneath the working area to prevent potential oil spills.

Remove the Front Air Dam

Note: Only the TRD Sport trim level contains a front air dam. In case of other trims, omit this step.
The front air dam is located directly under the front bumper and is held in place by eleven, 10mm bolts. The location of the bolts are highlighted in red.
Use a 3/8" drive socket wrench, extension, and 10mm socket to remove all of the bolts from the front air dam.
Detach the front air dam from the front bumper and set it aside.

Remove the Skit Plate

The skid plate, highlighted in red, is located on the underside of the vehicle, directly behind front air dam. It is attached via four, 12mm bolts and two latch tabs at the front end of the plate.
Use a 3/8" drive socket wrench, extension, and 12mm socket to remove the bolts attaching the skid plate to the vehicle.
While supporting the Skid Plate, unhook the Skid Plate from the latch tabs and remove it from underneath the vehicle.

Drain Used Oil from Oil Pan

Caution: When removing the oil drain plug, fluid flow may initiate suddenly. When performing this maintenance step, wear safety glasses.
Before beginning, place an oil drain pan directly beneath the oil pan to safely collect the used motor oil.
Place the oil drain pan underneath the oil pan to catch used motor oil.
Use a 3/8" drive socket wrench and a 14 mm socket to remove the oil drain plug from the oil pan.
Tip: After the oil has begun to flow, remove the oil fill port cap in the engine bay to relieve pressure from the sealed system. This will allow the oil to flow quickly and efficiently.
Wait until all of the used motor oil has drained from the oil pan. This should take roughly 10-15 minutes.

Reinstall the Oil Drain Plug

Once the oil has stopped flowing, use shop towels or rags to clean any residual oil from the oil pan and drain plug.
Then use a 3/8" drive socket wrench and a 14mm socket to reinstall the oil drain plug to the oil pan.

Remove the Oil Filter Housing Cap

The Oil Filter Housing, shown in red, is on the underside of the vehicle.
Place the oil drain pan directly beneath the oil filter housing.
Use a 3/8" drive socket wrench with an extension to remove the oil filter housing cap from the oil filter housing assembly.

Drain the Oil Filter Housing

Caution: Fluid flow from oil filter housing may occur suddenly. When performing this maintenance step, wear safety glasses.
Note: Toyota Filter Element (Part #: 04152-YZZA1) includes the required oil filter drain plug.
Insert the oil filter drain plug into the oil filter housing by hand. This will drain any remaining oil inside the oil filter housing.
Wait for the oil filter housing to completely drain before removing the oil filter drain plug. This may take several minutes.

Remove the Oil Filter Housing

Use a 1/2" drive socket wrench, extension, and a 64mm oil filter wrench to remove the oil filter housing from the vehicle.

Remove Used Oil Filter and Packing

Remove the used filter element from the oil filter housing and inspect the element for particulate matter.
Note: The presence of particulates on the filter element may be indicative of engine damage necessitating professional repair.
Remove the used packing from the oil filter housing.
Caution: Damage to the threads of the oil filter housing could cause significant oil leaks after reattachment.
Use shop towels or rags to wipe any residual oil from the oil filter housing.

Install the New Filter and Packing

Lubricate the new packing with unused motor oil.
Install the new packing and filter element to the oil filter housing.

Reinstall the Oil Filter Housing

Thread the oil filter housing to the vehicle by hand.
Use a 1/2" drive socket wrench, extension, and a 64mm oil filter wrench to fully tighten the oil filter housing.

Reinstall the Oil Filter Cap

Remove the used packing from the oil filter cap.
Lubricate the new packing with unused motor oil and install it onto the oil filter cap.
Thread the oil filter cap onto the oil filter housing by hand.
Use a 3/8" drive socket wrench and extension to fully tighten the oil filter cap onto the oil filter housing.

Service Engine with New Motor Oil

The engine oil fill port is highlighted in red. Remove the engine oil fill port cap.
Insert a funnel into the engine oil fill port.
Service the engine with 6 quarts of 0-20W synthetic motor oil.
Note: The Toyota owner's manual specifies a capacity of 6.2 quarts of 0W-20 synthetic motor oil for this model.

Check Oil Level with Engine Dipstick

The engine dipstick, highlighted in orange, is used to check fluid levels in the engine. Pull the engine dipstick out from the engine dipstick tube and use shop towels or rags to wipe off any residual oil from the dipstick.
To check the oil level, fully reinsert the dipstick into the dipstick tube and then pull it back out. Inspect the dipstick for the presence of oil.
If there is no oil past the second divot on the end of the dipstick, add additional oil to the engine oil fill port and repeat this step from bullet 1 until the fluid level reaches past the second divot on the end of the dipstick.

Cycle New Oil through the Engine

When sufficient oil has been serviced to the engine, remove the funnel and replace the engine oil port cap.
Turn on the vehicle ignition to allow the new oil to circulate throughout the system.
While the engine is running, periodically check underneath the vehicle for leaks. If a leak is present, immediately turn off the vehicle and ensure that the leaking component is installed properly, and repeat this step from bullet 2.
After a few minutes, if no leaks are present, turn the vehicle off and close the hood of the engine bay.

Reinstall the Skid Plate

While supporting the skid plate, secure the skid plate onto the two latch tabs and thread on the four bolts by hand.
Use a 3/8" drive socket wrench, extension, and a 12mm socket to tighten all four bolts to the skid plate.

Reinstall the Front Air Dam

While holding the Front Air Dam in position, thread on all eleven bolts by hand.
Use a 3/8" drive socket wrench, extension, and 10mm socket to tighten all eleven bolts onto the Front Air Dam.

Reset the Maintenance Light

Turn the vehicle on by pressing the ignition button.
Once the vehicle is on, use the left-right, up-down, and enter buttons on the right side of the steering wheel to operate the center-display screen.
Navigate to the settings option on the display screen. Push the enter button on the steering wheel, scroll down to the option that says maintenance reset, and hit yes.

Conclusion

Congratulations, you have successfully changed out the oil/oil filter on a 3rd generation Toyota Tacoma.

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