5th Generation Toyota 4Runner Oil Change Guide

It is widely known that oil changes are one of the most important service items on a car. The same can be said for a Toyota 4Runner oil change. We’ll specifically target the 5th generation of 4Runner. However, this guide will still apply to most other generations of 4Runner as well, as the process is very similar, and the oil and filter suggestions still apply.

Changing your own oil is one of the easiest and most straightforward ways to save money on servicing your 4Runner. Typically, a certified Toyota service center would charge upwards of $150-$175 for standard service and oil change. By doing it yourself, you could cut that cost in half. It is important that if you opt to do the service yourself, you do it right. In this guide, we’ll cover the following:

• Required Tools
• Toyota 4Runner Engine Oil Capacity
• 4Runnner Oil and Filter Suggestions
• Toyota 4Runner Oil Change Procedure

At the end of this article, you’ll know everything that you need to know to perform an oil change on a 5th Gen 4Runner. If you follow this guide closely, you should be ready to go for around $75 and 30 minutes of your time.

Tools Needed for the Oil Change

• Vehicle Ramps/Jack and Jack Stands – If you aren’t able to get under your X5 to reach the drain plug while on the ground, you’ll need a way to raise the car. Rhino ramps, or something equivalent, are a good and cheap option. Otherwise, a jack and jack stands will suffice. 
• 10mm Socket – For use on the front skid plate

• 12mm Socket – For use on the front skid plate cover bolts
• 14mm Socket – For use on the oil drain plug
• 64mm Oil Filter Removal Tool 
• Socket Wrench w/ 3 / 8” Extension
• Flathead Screwdriver or Gasket Removal Tool
• Oil Catch Container
• Funnel
• Gloves

Toyota 4Runner Oil Capacity

Most 1GR-FE-equipped Toyotas, including the 5th Gen 4Runner, take 6.6 quarts of oil. That is equivalent to 6.25 liters of oil. It is important to be accurate when adding oil to your 4Runner. Using too much oil can result in engine problems down the line. The same can be said for not using enough oil.

How to Check 5th Gen 4Runner Engine Oil

Upon completing your oil change, it is important to check the engine oil level. Checking your 4Runner’s engine oil is as straightforward as it is for most other cars with a physical dipstick.  

It is extremely important to measure your 4Runner’s oil on a flat surface with your engine off. It is best to measure your oil after the vehicle has been sitting for a while. This allows for the oil to collect in the oil pan.

Once the car has cooled down, pop the hood and locate the dipstick. It has a yellow pull tab and should be easy to identify. Remove the dipstick and wipe it off with a clean shop towel. Reinsert the dipstick in fully, until it seals into place. Remove the dipstick again and check the reading. The oil should be between the two level-reading dots. 

If the oil does not reach the lowest dot, there might be an oil leak present or the engine might have burnt off excess oil. Either way, it is worth investigating further. Once you complete your oil change, the oil will fall closer to the top dot, meaning that the oil is at maximum capacity. 

How to Reset Toyota 4Runner Oil Service Indicator

This is obviously the last step in the 5th Gen oil change procedure. Your 4Runner must have its engine off, but ignition and accessories on to do this. To reset your 4Runner’s oil service indicator, you’ll first need to turn your key as far as it will go without starting the vehicle. 

Once the key is in “accessory position,” make sure that your odometer screen is displaying the “Trip A” reading. If it isn’t, cycle the screen to Trip A by pressing the knob to the right of the speedometer. Once the display is reading correctly, turn the key to the off position.

Next, hold the Trip Meter “RESET” button while simultaneously turning your key back to accessory mode (the furthest that it will go without starting the car).

The service reminder light will then illuminate solidly for 3 seconds, blink for 2 seconds, illuminate solidly for another second, then turn off.

You can then release the “RESET” button and turn the key to the off position. Turn the ignition back on to verify that the light was successfully reset.

Oil and Filter Suggestions

As you could probably guess, it is best to use OEM Toyota-developed oil in your 4Runner. With that being said, there are a number of other quality options if OEM oil isn’t an option. Whether you choose to go the OEM route or go with another option, make sure that your oil of choice is fully synthetic and long-life certified. As long as those requisites are met, the oil should be fine.

In general, 0W-20 is the go-to oil weight for the 5th Generation 4Runner. In comparison to the recommended oil weight for a lot of other manufacturers, 0W-20 is a very thin viscosity. Because of that, a lot of 4Runner owners question if that truly is the best oil for their car. Despite it being a strange choice, all official Toyota guides and manuals for the 5th Gen confirm 0W-20 as the correct oil for almost any application.

Toyota claims that 0W-20 works well in almost any temperature range in the US. Some 4Runner owners that live in areas with extremely hot summers opt to use 10W-30. Both will work well, but it is best to stick with Toyota’s suggested oil.

Toyota-made oil filters are also your best bet. They are pretty easy to get your hands on as well. They even sell them on Amazon. In addition, you’ll also need new oil drain plug gaskets, which are also sold on Amazon.

Oil Suggestions

• Toyota Synthetic 0W-20 – This is the best all-around option for a 4Runneroil change. 0W-20 oil is effective in most temperature ranges. Unless summers are abnormally hot in your area, this is the engine oil that you should be using.

Order Here: oempartsource.com

• Mobil 1 Full Synthetic 0W-20 – This is typically regarded as the best non-OEM oil choice if you aren’t able to pin down any Toyota 0W-20.

Order Here: autozone.com

• Mobil 1 10W-30 Fully Synthetic Engine Oil – Once again, it is best to follow Toyota’s instructions to use 0W-20 oil. However, if you live in an area that has extremely hot summers, 10W-30 will also work.

Order Here: advancedautoparts.com

5th Gen 4Runner Oil Change Procedure

As stated earlier, changing the oil on your 4Runner is a relatively simple task. The entire procedure takes roughly 30 minutes to complete, depending on your experience level. Here are the necessary steps required to perform a 5th Gen oil change:

Oil Change Step 1 – Raise the Car

Depending on the materials that you have at your disposal, this step can vary. If you have vehicle ramps, center both ramps under the front two tires of your 4Runner. Slowly apply gas until you reach the top of the ramp. Make sure that you apply the parking brake once the vehicle is stationary. This will ensure that the vehicle does not roll backward off of them.

If you have a jack and jack stands, use the front reinforced jack point to lift the car. The jack point is located directly in front of the stiffening plate on a perpendicular brace. The location of the central front jack point is illustrated in the figure below.

Once the vehicle is in the air, you can place jack stands under the front two jack points. These will be marked in the diagram below. While it is possible to use only the two front jack stands, it is not advised. It is a better idea to use the rear central jacking point (marked in the diagram below) to jack up the rear of the 4Runner and to put the other two jack stands under the rear jack points. This allows the vehicle to be level in the air, allowing all of the oil to drain.

Oil Change Step 2 – Remove Cover Covering Skid Plate

Once the 4Runner is in the air, you can begin the process of performing the oil change. The first step is to remove the front skid plate cover to gain access to the drain plug (shown below). You’ll need a 12mm socket and wrench to remove the two bolts at either end of the panel. 

Once you remove the two bolts, the cover should lift down. Set the plate cover and bolts to the side in a location where you won’t lose the bolts.

1GR-FE Oil Change Step 3 – Place Oil Catch Container and Remove Oil Drain Plug

The next step is draining the engine oil. Before doing that, you’ll need to place your used oil receptacle under your Runner. Remember, the oil is pressurized before the drain plug is unscrewed. That means that the used oil will stream out fairly forcefully, so place the receptacle in a position to compensate for that.

After the catch container is in place, you can unscrew the oil drain plug. It is located within a cut-out portion, exposed when you removed the skid plate cover (picture provided below). Use a socket wrench with a 14mm 6-point socket to turn the drain plug counter-clockwise. Make sure that the drain plug doesn’t fall into the dirty oil as it drains. 

The oil drain process typically takes around 5 minutes to complete. Don’t get impatient with the process. Wait until the oil is infrequently dripping from the drain before continuing.

Oil Change Step 4 – Reinstall Oil Drain Plug and Remove the Skid Plate

After the oil is finished draining, you can reinstall the oil drain plug with a new oil drain plug gasket if you bought a new one. Some 4Runner owners use this as an opportunity to replace an aging or damaged drain plug. If you aren’t interested in replacing your drain plug with a new one, the old drain plug with an unused drain plug gasket will do just fine.

As the 5th Gen’s oil filter is located under the skid plate, it needs to be removed. Even before that, you’ll need to remove the skid plate cover. To remove your 4Runner’s skid plate cover, you’ll need a 10mm socket and a corresponding wrench. 

There are 5 bolts on the front and backside of the cover that needs to be unscrewed. There is also a small push pin that needs to be pushed out near the front of the cover. Once you have done this, the four bolts holding on the skid plate will be exposed.

When unbolting the skid plate, move front to back. You’ll have to hold the plate up while you unscrew the back bolts, but it’s better than being hit in the face. Once the bolts are out, lift the skidplate out and over the hooks holding it on near the front. Keep the bolts in an easy-to-find position.

Toyota 4Runner Oil Change Step 5 – Remove Oil Filter and Install New Oil Filter Gaskets

With the drain plug reinstalled, you can then remove the oil filter. The 5th Gen’s oil filter replacement procedure is a bit more complicated than most, but it’s still pretty easy. Oil might be caught in the oil filter housing, so make sure to bring the oil catch container back into play.

There is a metal oil filter plug that needs to be removed first. Use a ratchet with a 3/8” drive to unscrew the plug and let it drain for a minute.

Your new oil filter kit will come with a small plastic oil drain tool to extract the remaining oil from the filter. Simply push the plastic part into the base of the oil filter in the housing and wait for the oil to drain completely. The plastic part and the existing O-ring can then be disposed of.

You can then proceed to remove the existing filer completely. Use the 64mm oil filter wrench to remove the oil filter housing with the filter contained. Unscrew the old oil filter and throw it away. 

There is also a sealing O-ring located near the bottom of the housing that must be replaced as well. While a flathead screwdriver or removal tool might be helpful, you should be able to remove it by hand. 

Oil Change Step 6 – Install New Filter O-Rings and Reinstall the Oil Filter

Once you have removed the oil filter gasket, you’ll know where their new replacement goes. The required gaskets will almost certainly be provided with the new oil filter. Lubricate the new gasket with a small amount of oil before installing it. It is easiest to roll it into its correct position.

You’ll also need to replace the small oil filter gasket on the underside of the oil filter housing. Coat this one with oil too, and place it in the filter housing. Once the new gaskets are installed, you can then slip the new oil filter over the oil filter stand and seat it at the bottom of the housing. Don’t worry about how you put the filter in, there is no top or bottom. 

The entire assembly can then be put back into the oil filter housing at the front part of the engine where it was removed from. Screw the oil filter assembly until the metal tab on the side aligns with the mark on the housing. 

Following these steps, you can reinstall the metal drain plug, once again using the 3/8” extension and associated wrench. Torque the plug to 30lb-ft or until it is nice and snug.

Oil Change Step 7 – Fill the Engine With New Oil

The last step in the 4Runner oil change process is adding the oil itself. As stated above, the 5th Gen takes 6.6 quarts, or 6.25 liters of oil to reach max oil capacity. The best way to fill your Runner’s engine oil is with a funnel. It is a good idea to use one to prevent any spillage on surrounding engine components. If you do spill some, wipe the spill clean to prevent smoke from the oil burning off.

There are markings on the side of each oil container that let you know how much oil you have already poured. Simply pour the majority of the oil into the oil fill port, stopping at 6.6 quarts. Screw the oil cap back on.

That’s it! Following completion, make sure to follow the instructions listed above to check the oil level with your dipstick. The oil level should fall close to the max level oil line. Check for leaks in the following hours to make sure that everything was done properly. That’s it for a DIY Toyota 4Runner oil change! You can also our latest relevant post about Basics of Toyota 5th generation 4runner lift kit.