How to Change Your Own Oil on a 2005 to 2007 Toyota Tacoma V6

Changing your oil can be a very rewarding experience. Knowing how to do your cars general maintenance helps you appreciate and better take care of your vehicle.

Tools Needed:

· 14 MM wrench

· 6 quarts oil

· New Oil Filter and 1 new Crush washer

· Oil container to hold old oil

1. Drive the truck around to get it to its normal operating temperature. This ensures the oil is warm and will flow easier out of the engine.

2. Park on level ground.

3. Take your 14 MM wrench with your Oil catch container and slide under the truck. It would be a good idea to also have some old towels or rags around the area so none of the oil splashes out and stains your pavement. Place the catch can directly under the oil drain plug. Take your wrench and loosen the plug slightly.

4. Now with your fingers remove the bolt slowly and let the oil drain into the container. The old crush washer is most likely still stuck on the oil pan or has fallen into the drain container. You can pick it off after the oil had drained, or grab it out of the container. We will not be using it again though.

5. While the oil is draining from the oil pan, remove the oil cap and if you want you can also remove the dip stick.

6. Let drain a sufficient amount of time (20-30 minutes).

7. Remove the oil filter from the engine slowly. You'll need a cup to place under the black drain valve that is under the oil filter. The small amount of oil that is in the oil filter will spill into the silver cup then you can remove the black valve cover and let it drain into the cup. Wipe out the silver container that the oil filter is inserted.

8. Pre-fill the oil filter. Pour into the CENTER hole of the filter, fill about three-quarters of the way and tilt the filter about 15 deg and rotate, allowing oil to flow into the outer chamber, filling the media and displacing air. Replace the oil filter and black valve cover. Don't forget to slightly oil the filter gasket and hand tighten only. Three-quarters to one turn after the gasket contacts the base is sufficient. The gasket is contacted when you just can't rock the filter on the stud any longer. Then figure out where the label should go and hand tighten that far. Use your rag if your hands are greasy, but not the wrench. It won't seem tight enough but it is.

9. If the oil has stopped dripping underneath the Truck replace the 14MM bolt and new washer. Hand-tighten with a wrench then give a 1/4 turn. (Torque spec is 30 ft-lbs)

10. With a funnel you can start adding your oil. Add approximately 5 quarts of oil at first, then start the truck and let it run for a few minutes. Shut the truck off, check the fluid level and top it off to the correct amount.

11. Replace the cap/dipstick.

12. Start your Truck and let it run a few minutes and check for any leaks.

13. Shut the Truck off and check the dipstick to make sure you have enough oil, which is usually 5-5.8 quarts.