First Tundra DIY oil change, lessons learned

Yes, exactly.....there are actually illustrations on the OEM filter boxes (ask me how i know.....hahaha).

 

Okay how do you know????

 

Well lets just say my first attempt at this did not go as planned......I THOUGHT I knew where the o-ring went. Apparently i put it in the wrong groove or it migrated while I was screwing in the filter housing. Started my truck and backed out of the garage leaving a spray of oil all over the garage floor, driveway and bottom of my truck. Took me days to degrease the floor of the garage and driveway and a good hour to clean up the bottom of the truck. I hope to never make that mistake again.

After posting about my tribulations, a polite forum member informed me that the proper placement of the o-ring was and sure enough it was there when I looked. Might have saved me a lot of time, effort and money

 

For whatever reason.. when I remove the plug on the filter housing to drain the filter, there is oil between the plug and the filter drain valve. The dealership did the first 2 oil changes and I've done every one since and it's been that way every time.

 

So one thing I’ve always wondered, if you pull your vehicle up on ramps does the oil pan drain completely while on the ramps?

 

There is a nut welded inside the pan for the bolt so the pan never completely drains.

 

Now you know ! Thanks to the "polite forum member " !

 

I cut a trap door on my skid plate so I don't have to pull my skid plate, and, yes Fumoto valve and screw in funnel keeps it cleaner, but still spill oil pulling my oil filter

 

I'm ready to cut the trap door in my skid plate too. Did you make a hinged door for it or just leave the hole open?

 

i purchased the rci skid plate with cat protectors and it has an access door secured by two button head bolts. Makes it very easy especially with the fumoto valve to drain.

 

yes shout out to @TundraMcGov.

I am stubborn and don’t necessarily read directions all the time…..just ask my wife. I will say that as my eyes have gotten worse, the box directions are pretty hard to see without my magnifiers!!!!!

 

I made a trap door with hinges and a thumb screw

 

I’ve never jacked the truck up or used ramps when I change my oil, but it has crossed my mind. Seems that it would be easier. May sound like a silly question but, does all of the oil drain from the pan with the front end elevated?

 

not all of it, there will always be a small amount of old oil left no matter what. but raising the front will direct the oil to the back of the oil pan where the drain is located

 

I agree with the little bit of residual oil left over. So lifting the front end doesn’t leave enough residual oil to matter then I assume?

 

And using ramps allows you to fit a 5 gal bucket under there so you're not trying to aim your drain stream toward a pan on the ground (and the associated splash of oil onto the inside of the passenger tire/wheel/brake/etc).

 

You are correct, not enough to worry about

 

What ramps do you recommend that are strong enough to safely drive up on and support the weight please?

 

I built my own out of 2x12's. Many here use Rhino ramps

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/rhino-gear-rhinoramp-11909/10157441-P

 

Thanks so much for the info. Just made my oil changes much easier. Bless all who chimed in.

 

I've got a question.

Last time I changed the oil, I installed a fumoto valve. This will be my first time changing it with the valve installed. What size tubing are you all using to attach to the valve?

 

Does anyone have the link to the aluminum filter housing?

 

Pretty sure it’s 3/8”

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/metal-oil-filter-housing.101549/

 

As stated above, 3/8 ID is correct.

 

Correct 3/8 ID....https://www.fumotousa.com/all-products/f-hose.html

 

Can you post pictures of your ramps you built please?

 

Not very fancy, but they were cheap, and very strong

 

They look like they work well. Do you happen to know the lengths you used? I plan to make something similar and just looking for ideas.
Thanks