Hi, I was looking at the new 06 tacoma with the V6 and saw the oil filter was easily reachable, but I'm wondering if you spin it off will all the oil spill out and make a mess since it sits upside down?

Other then that it looks like a great new motor, I was also impressed that is now has a timing chain rather then a timing belt on older V6 models that is both expensive to change and can break and ruin the engine.

Yes, oil wil run out when you loosen the filter. You may be able to wrap it with a plastic bag and catch the oil. Another trick that may work is to punch a hole in the top of the filter, the oil should drain back into the engine. I know that works on some engines. If you do punch a hole in the filter be sure you have the filter loose enough to remove it before punching a hole.

Clifton

Hi, I was looking at the new 06 tacoma with the V6 and saw the oil filter was easily reachable, but I'm wondering if you spin it off will all the oil spill out and make a mess since it sits upside down?

Other then that it looks like a great new motor, I was also impressed that is now has a timing chain rather then a timing belt on older V6 models that is both expensive to change and can break and ruin the engine.


I'm going to assume that you are going to drain the oil from the pan before you attempt to remove the filter? Whatever oil is in the filter will spill out once you lossen the filter. I do exactly what Flash recommended. Buy some 1 gallon freezer bags at the local grocery store. Place one of the bags up around the filter and then twist the filter off. Whatever oil that is the filter will now be in the bag. Also, just let the filter fall into the bag when it comes off. NO MESS!

Mike

Thanks for the info, should someone make a mistake on not do this, they will get oil all over the front of the engine and the drive belts which will make them slip. I don't think I'm impressed with the design. I'd rather see the oil filter near the bottom of the engine and at least the lower half. If it was harder to reach, I wouldn't care.

Most engines the filter installed horizontal to near vertical/upside down. The Tacoma 2.4 has the filter hanging down but it will still spill oil when the filter is removed. With the filter hanging down the main oil feed line is above the filter and drains when the filter is removed. The location of the oil pump probably determines the placement of the oil filter. Some people install a remote oil filter. The main problem with a remote filter is the external oil lines. Even though they make them from stainless braided hoses they may blow out at a fitting and ruin your day.

Clifton

I just changed the oil in my new taco for the first time. The location of the filter is awesome, AND they put a "catch" around the filter so any leakage from removing it is caught. The "catch" drains into a small "nipple" below that you can attach a small hose to (if you wanted to). But the nipple has a rubber plug.

What I did:

Placed rags over the belts (just in case).
Removed the plug from the nipple.
Place a gallan size freezer bag under the nipple.
Then just slowly remove the filter.

Clean... no mess. It was awesome. Never got oil on my fingers like I do with my other cars.

My first truck and didn't even have to jack it up. Easiest oil change I've ever done my whole life.

This is the exact proceedure I started doing, but I'd also recommend gettting the original filter from toyota at the dealer, only maybe 2 bucks more, but it will have less outflow since it has a special valve. I really don't trust the guys at jiffy lube either, they will likely spill oil all over your belts and hoses. Better to do it yourself or at the dealer to get it done right. there is also info on this board for resetting the maintenance light, or just call the dealer to learn how.



I just changed the oil in my new taco for the first time. The location of the filter is awesome, AND they put a "catch" around the filter so any leakage from removing it is caught. The "catch" drains into a small "nipple" below that you can attach a small hose to (if you wanted to). But the nipple has a rubber plug.

What I did:

Placed rags over the belts (just in case).
Removed the plug from the nipple.
Place a gallan size freezer bag under the nipple.
Then just slowly remove the filter.

Clean... no mess. It was awesome. Never got oil on my fingers like I do with my other cars.

My first truck and didn't even have to jack it up. Easiest oil change I've ever done my whole life.

I'm definitely going to get the Toyota filter next time... may be even before next.