Note: This is pretty incomplete at this point. I'm intending to return to this later with more details and pictures.

This guide covers the procedure for performing an oil change on the 1GR-FE engine in the 5th generation 4Runner.

Under ideal conditions, the manual specifies that this procedure should be done no later than every 10,000 miles or 1 year (whichever comes first). However, under less than ideal conditions (i.e. towing, short trips, off-road, etc.), it is recommended to perform this procedure no later than every 5,000 miles or 6 months (whichever comes first).

Materials

* The manual specifies that SAE 5W-20 may be used if 0W-20 is not available. Probably only do this if you have absolutely no other choice.

Tools

* A flathead screwdriver usually works too.

Procedure

1. Remove the front air duct (Limited only)

• If you break any of these push pins, the part number you're looking for is 90467-09227. These can usually be had pretty cheaply, and it's sometimes nice to have some spares on hand.

2. Remove the plastic front skid plate

• If you break the plastic push pin, the replacement part number is 90467-09227.

3. Remove the main skid plate
4. Drain the engine oil

• Remove oil fill plug from top of engine.
• Locate the 14mm oil drain plug.
• Place your oil catch pan under the drain plug.
• Using a 14mm socket or box-end wrench, loosen the drain plug.
• Remove the oil drain plug and allow the oil to fully drain from the pan.
• Clean the drain plug and the area around the drain hole with rags. Make sure the old drain plug gasket is removed (it sometimes sticks to the oil pan).
• Once the oil has all drained (i.e. something like one drop every second or two), reinstall the drain plug with a new drain plug gasket. Torque to 30 lbf ft.

5. Change oil filter

• Locate the oil filter housing.
• Place your oil catch can under the oil filter housing.
• Optional: The oil filter housing will still have some oil in it, which can make a mess when removing the filter housing. To drain this oil, remove the oil filter housing drain plug using a 3/8" male square drive (i.e. any 3/8" extension). push the plastic drain tool (included with the new filter) into the corresponding hole in the filter housing to drain the oil.
• Using the oil filter wrench, remove the oil filter housing.
• Remove the old oil filter element and rubber o-ring from the filter housing (there will be two o-rings if you removed the housing's drain plug).
• Install the new filter element into the filter housing.
• Install the new rubber o-rings into the appropriate place(s). Coat the o-ring(s) with new oil.
• Reinstall filter housing. Torque to 18 lbf ft.
• If you removed the filter housing drain plug, re-install the drain plug. Torque to 9 lbf ft.

6. Add new oil

• Place oil funnel in the oil fill hole.
• Add about 6 to 6.25 qt of oil to the engine (to prevent over-filling).
• Reinstall oil fill plug.

7. Check for leaks

• Inspect the oil fill plug, oil filter housing, and oil drain plug and remember what these areas look like.
• Start the engine and let run for 10-15 seconds.
• Shut down the engine.
• Inspect these same areas and look for any leaks.

8. Reinstall skid plates

• If no leaks found, reinstall the two skid plates.
• On Limited models, re-install the air duct.

9. Reset maintenance counter

• Turn the car to ON (engine off).
• Switch odometer to Trip A.
• Turn car OFF.
• Hold trip reset button.
• Turn car ON (engine off).
• Wait for countdown on dash display to finish.
• Release trip reset button.

10. Check oil level.

• Remove engine oil dipstick and clean if off with rags/towels.
• Wait for 3-5 minutes.
• Install dipstick and promptly remove. Oil level should be between the two markings at the end of the dipstick.
• If oil level is too low, add a little extra oil to the engine. If the level is too high, oil needs to be drained using the drain plug (difficult). Run engine for a few minutes before checking oil level again.