Engine Oil

[ysun]

Is it difficult to change the engine oil by myself? What tools do I need? What kind of engine oil is better for a camry 2k v6 engine? Or just drive the car to STS or other garage better?

Thanks!

[Venom_5]

not hard at all ... all you need is a wrench or ratchet+socket, and for the filter a pair of filter pliers / band wrench / or filter claw

you remove the drain plug with the socket or wrench .... then put the plug back in and tighten it up
you spin off the old filter and screw a new one back on!

takes 10 mins if youve done it before, a little longer if its your first time

[ysun]

Thanks. I haven't done it before. I even don't know where the drain plug...

What brand of engine oil and filter is good for camry?

[Manny1337]

its a 9/16 wrench. if you go under the car on the left there is a bolt sticking down kinda at an angel it will be 9/16. I use mobile 5w-30 with a mobile oil filter. It is very simple im sure youll be fine =P

[ysun]

Thanks. I will have a try.

btw, doesn't it need to 'flush some oil and wash' the inside engine before inject the new engine oil?

Are the steps correct?

1. remove the drain plug with wrench;
2. let the old oil flow into some container;
3. install the drain plug;
4. inject the new oil;
5. uninstall the oil filter;
6. install a new oil filter;
7. test the oil level.

Are there any tips?

Thanks!

[Manny1337]

almost right. remove drain plug let oil drain into container, once its slow/stop remove oil filter, put the oil drain plug back in, with some new oil lubracate the rubber gasket on the new oil filter and install the new oilfilter, then refill engine with new oil. run the car for 5 minutes shut it off and check oil level

[1996camry]

if you have your car manual, look at the end the book. It has the spec how many quarts you really need for you car with filter.

last, I always crank and leave the car runs 10-30 seconds before I turn off. This is where you need to recheck your oil level again..if its low, then refill to the mark. make sure you fill your new oil before you crank and leave 10-30 seconds.... I know this method works every time when I did my oil change.

now, you're done with your oil change...

the tricks...if your car manual said you need 4 quarts with filter... I normally, fill 3.5 quarts because they're still a little oil sit inside your car's engine. once you fill to 3.5 quarts, then you crank and leave the car run 10-30 seconds then shutoff. recheck your oil level...if low, refill to the mark...

also, when you remove your oil plug... try to see if there is a oil gasket that came with your oil plug when you remove it. if the gasket looks crush, you need get a new one from dealer ...maybe less a $..it will save you time from oil drips in the future.

[Manny1337]

i think that it uses more than 4 quarts, do you have the manual for a v6 or i4

[abew330]

Originally Posted by ysun

1. remove the drain plug with wrench;
2. let the old oil flow into some container;
3. install the drain plug;
4. inject the new oil;
5. uninstall the oil filter;
6. install a new oil filter;
7. test the oil level.

you might want to change out the oil filter after you drain the oil. re-install new filter re-install drain plug, add oil, then check for leaks

[ysun]

Thank you all for sharing the experience. The engine is 1MZ-FE, I can see a white column part look like an oil filter(compare with the photos on the internet) on the front side of the engine under the hood which can be seen from above, is that the oil filter? What tool can remove it? From some videos on the internet, should I change the entire metal column part or only the yellow filter element inside?

Thanks!

[Risran]

do you HAVE to change the oil filter when you change the oil or is it merely optional ?

[Manny1337]

you have too. i use just a wrench and twist it one time to loosen it and you can take it off the rest by hand

[IntegraVT]

You have to check out this thread on DIY V6 Oil Changes - Change your own oil in your V6 camry (DIY, pic intensive)

95WhiteCamry's pics really make it easy for a novice.

[1996camry]

Caution!!!

You freely re-install the oil filter by hand first until you get it tight... then I use the oil filter tool to tight a little but not too much...you do not want to over tight the oil filter!

Trick...

before you re-install the oil filter, use your finger to dip a little oil and rome around the rubber of the new oil filter to help less friction and better tight when you install the oil filter.

[Manny1337]

you dont even need the wrench just as tight as you can by hand without breaking the thing =P