Toyota
Highlander Engine Oil Change Guide
How to change the oil and filter in the
3.5L V6 engine of a 3rd generation 2014 to 2018 Toyota Highlander SUV.
2017 Highlander 2GR-FKS |
Oil Filler Cap |
Twist Off Counterclockwise |
This
automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist
owners of the third generation (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and
probably also the 2019 and 2020 model years) Toyota Highlander SUV
in changing the motor oil and replacing the oil filter in the 2GR-FE
or 2GR-FKS 3.5 liter V6 engines. Owners of other Toyota, Lexus and Scion vehicles such as the 4Runner, Avalon, 86, C-HR, Camry, Corolla, iM, Land Cruiser, Mirai, Prius, RAV4, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma, Tundra, Yaris, FR-S, xB, xD, tC, xA, CT 200h, ES 250, ES 300, ES 330, ES 350, IS 250, IS 350, RX 300, GS 250, NX 300 and RX 350. A few compatible replacement oil filters with their part numbers are as follows: Toyota 04152-YZZA1, Fram XG9972, Wix 57047, Mobil 1 M1C-251 and Denso 150-3021. The tools needed to complete this procedure include 14mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet, a 24mm socket with a 1/2" drive ratchet, a 64mm oil filter wrench with 14 flutes and an automotive funnel. |
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The 3rd generation Toyota Highlander requires SAE 0W-20 oil. Earlier 2014, 2015 and 2016 models with the 2GR-FE 3.5L V6 engine have a total oil capacity specification for an oil change with filter replacement of 6.4 U.S. quarts (6.1L, 5.4 Imp. qt). The 2017 and 2018 model years with the 2GR-FKS 3.5L V6 engine's oil capacity specification for an oil change with a filter replacement is 5.8 U.S. quarts (5.5L, 4.8 Imp. qt.). |
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Partially Remove Dipstick |
Slide Under Engine |
Oil Pan & Drain Bolt |
The first steps are
to warm up the engine for a few minutes, park the vehicle on a level surface
and turn off the ignition. Warming up the engine will suspend any contaminants within the old oil and also allow it to drain out more quickly. Engage the emergency parking brake and place wheel chocks on both sides of the rear wheels to prevent the SUV from moving. Open the hood, twist off the round black plastic oil filler cap in the counterclockwise direction and partially remove the oil dipstick an inch or two. Set the oil filler cap aside in a safe place. Removing the oil filer cap and pulling out the dipstick a bit will help prevent a vacuum from forming and also allow the old oil to drain out more quickly. Slide under the front passenger side of the engine bay and locate the black metal oil pan. The black metal oil drain bolt is located at the rear of the oil pan. The black plastic cartridge style oil filter is located just in front of the oil pan. |
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Oil Filter Housing |
Used Oil Catch Container |
Loosen Oil Drain Bolt |
Slide the used
oil catch container to just below
the oil drain bolt. Loosen the oil drain bolt by turning it in the counterclockwise direction with the 14mm socket and a 3/8" drive ratchet. Be careful when you remove the oil drain bolt. The old oil might still be hot enough to burn your fingers depending on how long you warmed up the engine in the first step. Spin out the oil drain bolt by hand. Allow the old oil to drain out from the oil pan for at least a few minutes or until the flow slows down to just an occasional drip. Inspect the metal washer or "gasket" on the oil drain bolt. Most people prefer to change the washer during each oil change. The OEM Toyota / Lexus part number for the 14mm oil drain plug crush washer is Toyota 90430-12031. Make sure that the old washer is not still stuck to the oil pan. |
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Drain Out Old Oil |
Replace Oil Drain Bolt |
Slide Forward Catch Basin |
Wipe away the oil
drain hole with a paper towel. Re-insert the oil drain bolt and spin it in a few turns by hand in the clockwise direction to prevent it from becoming cross threaded. Tighten the oil drain bolt in the clockwise direction with the 14mm socket and a 3/8" drive ratchet to just past hand tight. If you have a torque wrench, tighten the 14m drain bolt to the service manual torque specification of 30 lb-ft. The next step is to replace the cartridge style oil filter located in the round black plastic housing. |
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Catch Basin Under Filter |
24mm Socket & TOY640 |
Loosen Oil Filter Cap |
Slide the used oil
catch container to just below the oil filter housing. An optional step is to drain the oil from the filter cap by removing the metal plug. You can remove the metal plug at the bottom of the filter cap by turning it in the counterclockwise direction with a 3/8" drive extension bar and a 3/8" drive ratchet. Some filters, including the OEM Toyota 04152-YZZA1 oil filter, include a small plastic drain fitting tool that pushes up the spring loaded metal drain plug on the bottom of the filter cap. You could attach a small hose to the drain fitting tool to further reduce the mess when draining out the old oil from the filter housing. In order to remove the filter cap, you will need a 64mm oil filter wrench with 14 flutes. I own the AST Tools TOY 640 oil filter wrench. Some other compatible oil filter wrenches with their part numbers including the following: Motiv Tools MX2320, ABN 8060 and CTA Tools 2485. Attach the 24mm socket to a 1/2" drive ratchet. Then attach the oil filter wrench to the 24mm socket. Place the oil filter wrench over the oil filter housing. Loosen the housing by turning it in the counterclockwise direction. If you have trouble loosening the housing or the filter wrench slips, try inserting some paper into the wrench so that it will have a better grip on the filter cap. You could also try tapping the end of the ratchet with a rubber mallet to help get it turning. |
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Replace Filter & O-Ring |
Tighten Filter Cap Clockwise |
Insert Automotive Funnel |
The next few steps
are very messy so I didn't take pictures. (If you want to see pictures of the filter replacement, I have them on my 2010 Toyota Corolla Oil Change Guide.) Spin out the oil filter housing. Allow the old oil to drain out for at least a minute or two. Pull the old rubber o-ring gasket off the threads on the filter cap and discard it. Pull the old cartridge oil filter out of the cap and discard it. I recommend buying the OEM Toyota 04152-YZZA1 oil filters. Lubricate the new rubber o-ring with some new oil and push it down over the threads on the filter cap. Push the new cartridge oil filter into the cap until it fully seated. Carefully spin in the oil filter housing a few turns by hand in the clockwise direction to prevent it from becoming cross threaded. Tighten the oil filter housing in the clockwise direction with the 64mm oil filter wrench to about 1/4 to 1/3 turn past hand tight. Do not over tighten the filter cap to prevent from cracking the plastic housing which could lead to an oil leak. The service manual torque specification for tightening the oil filter cap assembly is 18 lb-ft (or 25 N*m). The service manual torque specification for tightening the oil filter cap drain plug is 9 lb-ft (or 12.5 N*m). Double check that the oil drain bolt and filter housing are tight before moving on to the next steps. Insert the automotive funnel into the oil filler hole at the front left top of the engine. |
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Pour In New Oil |
Replace Oil Filler Cap |
Push Down Oil Dipstick |
It is far better to have slightly less oil than necessary in an engine than to over fill it. Running an engine that has been over filled with oil may lead to sluggish performance and possible damage to gaskets and seals. Please double check your owner's manual for the oil capacity specification for your vehicle. The 2014, 2015 and 2016 Highlander models with the 2GR-FE 3.5L V6 engine have a total oil capacity specification for an oil change with filter replacement of 6.4 U.S. quarts (6.1L, 5.4 Imp. qt). The 2017 and 2018 model years with the 2GR-FKS 3.5L V6 engine's oil capacity specification for an oil change with a filter replacement is 5.8 U.S. quarts (5.5L, 4.8 Imp. qt.). I recommend only pouring in about 5 or 5 1/2 U.S. quarts of new SAE 0W-20 oil at first. Then temporarily replace the oil filler cap and push in the dipstick. Start the engine and allow it to warm up for about five minutes. Turn off the ignition and allow the new oil to drain down to the oil pan for about five to ten minutes. |
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Check Dipstick Oil Level |
Replace Oil Dipstick |
Oil Change Complete |
Pull out the
dipstick, wipe it clean with a paper towel, fully re-insert it and pull it
out again to check the oil level. The upper metal dimple on the end of the dipstick indicates the "Full" or "Maximum" line. The lower metal dimple represents the "Low" or "Minimum" line. If necessary, slowly pour in some more oil and repeatedly check the level on the dipstick until it reaches just at or below the upper metal dimple that indicates the "Full" line. You may not need to pour in the entire oil capacity specification for the level to reach the "F" mark on the dipstick. Once the oil level is correct, replace the dipstick and double check that the oil filler cap is tight. Be sure to record the oil change in your vehicle's service records. To reset the "MAINT REQD" oil change reminder and the oil life meter, follow these steps: Vehicles With A Standard Ignition Key Vehicles With The Push Button START Button Vehicles With The Multi-Information
Display Screen Please check out all of my
2014-2018 Toyota Highlander DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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