Yay! Did my first real oil change...

[96ToyoCam164K]

..And this time I took the filter off. All I had to do was turn it with my hand and off it came. No oil wrench required. Maybe after 13,000 miles the filter starts loosening up?

I still can't figure out why my lifters seem to stick and tick more immediately following an oil change for like the first 100 miles. I mean, it's really noticeable. Someone said my car sounded 'nervous' which actually did make me laugh but I've tried trans fluid, seafoam, risolin, lucas...and it still makes that noise intermittently.

[JohnGD]

Congratulations!

13,000 miles since the last filter change? That's a loooong life filter.
It probably wasn't tightened properly then. Normally a filter takes 3/4 turn from gasket contact. And after a while you need a wrench to loosen it.

What brand of oil filter and oil?

Originally Posted by 96ToyoCam164K

..And this time I took the filter off. All I had to do was turn it with my hand and off it came. No oil wrench required. Maybe after 13,000 miles the filter starts loosening up?

I still can't figure out why my lifters seem to stick and tick more immediately following an oil change for like the first 100 miles. I mean, it's really noticeable. Someone said my car sounded 'nervous' which actually did make me laugh but I've tried trans fluid, seafoam, risolin, lucas...and it still makes that noise intermittently.

[96ToyoCam164K]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

Congratulations!

13,000 miles since the last filter change? That's a loooong life filter.
It probably wasn't tightened properly then. Normally a filter takes 3/4 turn from gasket contact. And after a while you need a wrench to loosen it.

What brand of oil filter and oil?

It was Firestone's filter and Kendall oil that they put in. I know 13,000 sounds like a lot but it was mainly highway driving, which is why I sort of put it off. I changed the oil 2-3 times during that period. But as easy as it was, I can do it every 1,000 miles LOL. I was told that there would be a bunch of oil spilling out in the V6 DIY but that wasn't the case with I4.

I tightened it by hand until I couldn't turn it anymore because I got the wrong size filter wrench. So hopefully it should be tight enough.

BTW, for people who think I'm some boring rookie; I started out with DIY transmission flushes, differential changes, thermostat/Coolant changes and brake fluid changes...without ever knowing how to change the oil and filter LOL. You get so used to shops doing it, you don't think twice...

[JohnGD]

Ticking only for 100 miles is weird.

Kendall oil is made by Conoco Phillips. They also make the Motorcraft synthetic blend oils. Give Purolator PureOne PL14477 (larger filter for the 2.4L engines) a try with Motorcraft 10W-30 from Walmart during the warmer months.

If you would use a larger filter like the 1MZ one, then Walmart's got the Motorcraft FL910S filter (Purolator) too.

[mail2_jb]

I have been using the Purolator Pureone for couple of years now.
Order online through advancedautoparts, use coupon code Big5, big15, big20 etc to get 30-40% off or check amazon. I got 2 packs for $10, free shipping from amazon.

Originally Posted by JohnGD

Ticking only for 100 miles is weird.

Kendall oil is made by Conoco Phillips. They also make the Motorcraft synthetic blend oils. Give Purolator PureOne PL14477 (larger filter for the 2.4L engines) a try with Motorcraft 10W-30 from Walmart during the warmer months.

If you would use a larger filter like the 1MZ one, then Walmart's got the Motorcraft FL910S filter (Purolator) too.

[fenixus]

I'm glad you filter wrench did not fit! oil filter wrench is for loosening stubborn and stuck filters. you NEVER use it to tighten it down! (damage to filter case may occur). always tighten by hand and make sure the gasket is lubricated with fresh oil or grease. Usually you do 1/2-3/4 turn after the gasket makes contact, usually force you can apply with one hand is enough tighten it properly. if you use both hands to tighten it to max, then it's too much force.

13k miles on stock Firestone filter? doesn't sound too good ... as above, switch to Purolator Pureone or Motorcraft filters from Walmart (they sell cheap oils too).

aftermarket filters use different wrenches than OEM ones (different number of flutes, sometimes different diameter too), search this forum, some time ago I was researching that and I think I found all wrenches that fit both OEM and popular aftermarket filters on 5s-fe and 1mz-fe