When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
My 2002 4.2 liter takes 7 qts. to make it to the full mark on the dipstick. The first time I changed the oil on this truck I put in 6 qts. and checked it after running the engine for about 5 mins. and it was on the bottom of the dipstick. I added 1/2 qt. and that brought it up half way up the crossed area of the stick. I ran it for 7k miles like that and it never moved at all. This time I put 7 qts. in and the oil came up right to the top of the crossed area of the dipstick.
1. Drive truck up on ramps in your garage or driveway. If you have been driving the truck any distance before parking go have a couple of beers while the oil cools down. You know – Safety First, we don’t want any burned fingers.
2. Crawl under the truck and position drain pan to capture oil once the oil pan plug is removed
3. Remove the oil drain plug using box-end wrench. Drain Plug has right hand threads so with the wrench pointed down, move the handle toward the passenger side of the truck to loosen.
4. Wipe oil off your hand with paper towel and have another beer or two while you wait for the oil to empty into the pan.
5. Reinstall the drain plug. Snug it up with the wench but do not over tighten it or it will leak.
6. Reposition drain pan under the old oil filter
7. Remove the old oil filter (right handed threads again). The filter contains oil and will leak when you spin it loose.
8. Pour remaining oil in filter into drain pan.
9. Take some of the old oil and wipe it on the rubber gasket on the new filter.
10. Install new filter. Do not over tighten – Turn until snug then ¼ turn.
11. Pour new oil into engine fill spout.
12. Start motor, look for leaks, and drink remaining beer.
One thing I like, not sure if it is neccassary but between step 8 and 9 lets call it step 8.5 I fill the new filter up about half with some new oil before I install it on my truck (97 f150 4.2), or any vehicle that I change the oil on. just my 2 pennies
And just to be on the safe side, always be sure the old gasket comes off with the old filter and doesn't stick to the block.
Take it from someone who forgot to do this (and had a mess to clean up of a motorcycle), this is probably the second most important step (after the beer drinking)
I always let my truck warm up to the regular engine temp, turn it off and then change my oil. The oil comes out faster and more comes out when its really warm. It gets pretty hot but my hands can handle it.
Lot's of toyotas have the filter which needs to be removed from under the hood rather than under the car.
On cars like the camry, or the avalon, it's in a REAL hard to get place, right under the header. It's so tight that you have to get a oil filter wrench or other tool.
Anyhow, I always complain about how it seems they owner drove 600 miles to get their oil changed, because we always singe our skin and whatnot on these cars.
Bad enough when everything is hot and all, but to be forced under the header, burning your wrist is just plain hell...
I drive my truck around, before i change my oil...reason being it is proven that oil thins when warm...so does the sludge builldup on the bottum of the pan....It will keep the inside of your engine alot cleaner....Leaned this in year two of automotive shop class..But ofcourse I always burn my hand trying to get the filter off on the exhuast pipe or something
I enjoy a hypodermic needle full of a mixture of heroin and estrogen while replacing the oil filter. It makes me feel really good, and at the same time sensitive to a woman's needs.