How to Change the Oil on a Toyota Camry

Changing the oil in your Toyota Camry is a simple procedure. The newer Camrys have a different type of oil filter, but the premise is the same and the location of the filter is much the same. It may be a good idea to find out what kind of filter you need for your Camry's year before you start and then consider what type of tool you may need to help you remove the oil filter. Most auto parts stores should be able to help you locate all the supplies you'll need for the job.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Car ramps
• Wheel chock
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet with a 14-mm shallow socket
• Oil filter wrench (or)
• End cap oil filter socket wrench (see additional resources)
• Safety glasses
• Shop rags
• Creeper (optional)
• Oil
• Oil filter
• Oil drain bucket (preferably with a spout)
• Funnel

1. How to Change the Oil on a Toyota Camry

   • 1

     Drive the Camry up on the ramps slowly until the front wheels seat in the dip on the top. Apply the parking brake and release the hood latch. Place a wheel chock behind one of the rear wheels. Open the hood. Remove the oil fill cap.

   • 2

     Put on the safety glasses and crawl under the front of the Camry on a creeper if you have one. Locate the oil pan and remove the oil pan plug with the ratchet and socket after placing the oil drain bucket beneath it.

   • 3

     Locate and remove the oil filter. If it's a regular canister oil filter, use a regular oil filter wrench to remove it. Make sure the drain bucket lines up beneath it and allow it to drain after loosening it, but before removing it. Make sure the rubber gasket is not stuck onto the oil filter flange. Apply a thin coat of spent oil to the new oil filter and thread on. Tighten hand tight only. If you have a cartridge type filter, locate the oil filter container cap (near the oil pan) and remove it by placing the end cap oil filter socket wrench over the cap and using the ratchet to turn it counterclockwise. Be sure to replace the small gasket(s) that come equipped with the new filter. Insert the new cartridge into the oil filter cap and screw back on. Tighten with the ratchet and the end cap oil filter socket wrench. Replace and tighten the oil pan plug when the oil is trickling slightly or just dripping. Wipe any areas that have oil on them clean, including the bottom and sides of the oil pan and sides of the oil filter container cap.

   • 4

     Crawl out from under the Camry and remove all the tools and drain bucket.

   • 5

     Add oil to the oil fill port using a funnel and adding 1 qt. at a time. Add 4 qts. first on older Camrys. Some newer ones can take up to 6 qts. To be safe, either check the oil dipstick after adding 4 qts. and then add accordingly. Remove the funnel, replace the oil fill cap, start the engine and allow to run for 10 seconds. Check the oil dipstick again and add more oil as needed. Remove the funnel and debris and close the hood.

Tips & Warnings

• Check the owner's manual for the recommended and proper oil weight to place in your Camry. Using the funnel and drain bucket with a spout, pour the spent oil back into the empty quart containers and seal tightly with the cap to dispose of properly.