First oil DIY oil change. Here’s what I learned.

Me either.

 

This is the first vehicle I've owned that recommends brake fluid change

 

Anyone cut their own filter access panel into stock skid plate? Should be a simple mod.

 

I want to.

 

Brake fluid is a hydraulic fluid, it does not wear or break down like lubricants. It can get contaminated, water usually main culprit. Your brake lines are a sealed system except for the reservoir, unless a part of the system is damaged allowing contaminants in.
Totally new one on me, sounds like more work for the dealers. I am sure their was an incident somewhere that someone got hurt or killed and the question of brake fluid age was attributed.

 

I do it every time I change the pads on any vehicle in. Been doing it since I started driving. It’s satisfying to see it clear. Also good for all the internal brake parts. It gets contaminated and needs to be done for 100% performance.

 

Which one ya get?

 

Found this diy on tundrasolutions.

 

Thanks, Kind of what I had in mind. Was thinking of trying to reuse the piece cut out, would have to weld tabs on plate or piece for the hardware.

As a non "off-roader" starting to think a nice square hole would be just fine......

 

I brought my tundra in for the free oil change at 5k miles and they said Toyota will only do it at 10k. I told them i use my truck for severe duty/towing and they agreed to do it at 5k.

 

Hello everyone, Love the community, Awesome friendly people and I've learned a lot about my Tundra from this site. I just bought my 2014 exactly a month ago. Coming from my 3rd Tacoma.
I have a question on oil changes and through my searches I haven't found much info on the 4.6 oil change. Or much info on the 4.6 compared to the 5.7. Does anyone know if there are any significant differences between the 4.6 vs 5.7 oil changes. I prefer to always do my own maintenance. Only time I don't have a choice are state inspections.
Thanks everyone.

 

I bought a one way check valve bleeder hose at Napa. It was really cheap thought I’d try it. You could do it yourself but I still have my wife come out and pump the brakes for me. It’s seem to work pretty good not allowing any air back in when the pedal was released. Also another thing I do is put a small 2 x 4 underneath the brake pedal so you don’t put the pedal all the way to the floor. I recently learned that was bad for it. You want to keep the pedal in the same stroke that it has been using. If you go to far you can ruin the seals.

That’s a good point on the fluid boiling. It may not be the entire brake system that needs to be flushed, at least a few pumps. But if I’ve gone that far I just flush the whole dang thing. Cheap insurance.

 

I had a F250 for years and did a lot of mountain driving. I lost my brakes once due to fluid boiling. After that I changed it once a year.

 

There is a special place in heaven for you for posting this!! Such a simple thing to prevent the mess I've been making! Thanks !!!

 

ALSO!!! Since you need a special wrench to remove the oil filter housing I learned the HARD WAY not to buy the cheap ones on AMAZON! The dealership had tightened the damn thing down so tight it stripped the cheap metal on the oil filter wrench from China........ So I found this one from Snap-on and it is the SHIT!!!
https://store.snapon.com/Oil-Filter...cion-65-mm-1-2-drive-Blue-Point--P773729.aspx

....just updated link! To the right one! This one is the high strength one my mechanic told me to buy!

 

interesting.. the Amazon ones work perfectly fine for me.

 

I decided to order a filter wrench for the Tundra, got it for less than $8 delivered free on eBay. In looking at alternate sources, they were really the same store at different prices, it should work ok as they have the notches for the housing and not rely on the flats of the filter. It’s a cast aluminum one. I have bought a plastic one for a motorcycle once, that was a mistake.

Wrt brakes, oN the BMW motorcycles they recommend a flush every 2 years, but their volumetric capacity is small and heat affects the brake fluid imo. After 50 years of doing a lot of DYI on cars and motorcycles, brake fluid flush is important for sure. I want to make notice also that the Anti skid modules are expensive, and you do t want them to crap out dur to bad / contaminated brake fluid. My 2 cents. On my BMW and VW cars of the past they recommend brake flushes on a regular interval. I’ve been better at the maintenance as it has saved me any large repair bills.

I only have 750 miles on my Tundra and will most likely change the oil before 1200 miles since it is synthetic. I just like getting all the assembly dirt out and fresh stuff in. I know everyone says it’s not necessary, but I’ve never had to rebuild or replace a motor on any new car or truck. Cheers.

 

The 4.6 oil change process should be identical except for oil quantity

 

Here is the how-to video by yours truly.
https://youtu.be/GcY8PNZfNv0

 

Good stuff, thank you.

 

My FFV needs it at 5K. My dealership set me up at 5 month intervals instead of 6 month so I could get the extra one in on the 2 year 25000 Toyota care. I'm due tomorrow (5 months) but only have 2900 miles on it, called them and told them the mileage, and they said bring it in anyway and they would still do it so I could get the 5 free oil changes. Should have got the name of the person, guess we'll see tomorrow. Gonna do the recall while I'm there too. Hope all goes well !!!

 

Question...I’m about to order the TRD skid plate for my 2019 TRD Sport. My concern...I see the trap door to drain the oil from the oil filter, but how do you drain the oil pan without taking the TRD skid off?

 

You'll easily be able to get at the oil pan plug to drain the oil. The down side is that as the oil level gets low it'll dribble on the skid plate a little. A Fumoto valve and some clear hose would eliminate any mess on the skid plate.

 

Thanks. I’ll buy a fumoto valve and 24” of clear tube from my local hardware store.

You noted you made a mess, was that from the oil filter?

 

No, just from the oil pan drain. When you remove the oil pan drain plug the oil stream flows towards the tire but as the oil drains and the stream weakens surface tension pulls the oil stream, which is now a dribble, towards the center of the truck. It's minimal and nothing that can't be wiped away easily.

 

Brake fluid absorbs 3% +\- water per year. . So it’s not hard to buy some and between you and a buddy flush the system. And drink a six .

 

I wish the oil changes on our trucks were as easy as my 2nd generation Tacoma.
flip switch on fumoto valve and drain
unscrew filter by filler cap
screw filter on
close valve
fill with oil

All done with no tools and done in 10 minutes