Hello,
I am fairly new to the list as well as new to owning a 4Runner. I think i own a 4th Gen (2003). I have the 4.0 V6 and I am going to change my oil today. Since i am an AMSOil perferred customer, i use their products already on my GT4 and have some high quality oil ready to go in my 4Runner. Since i live in an apt. I have found someone willing to let me use his garage for half an hour to do the oil change.

So the question: From looking under the car, the drain plug seems to be underneath the skid plate where i can pop off an oval plastick part to get to it. Am i right? is that where it is? And i am guessing that the plug is 14mm in size? I am a car compotent person, but i just want to make sure that i dont use up this person's time fooling around. Also is it possible to get to it with a wrench, or will i need to use a socket set since it is up above the skidplate?

Thanks!

David

 

I don't have the v6 but I"m guessing it's the same.

If you look under your skid, you'll see an oval rubber cover. Pop that off and you'll see a bolt facing down (14mm I think). Unscrew that to remove the oil Use a socket wrench to get the bolt off. There is no need for you to remove your skids on the v6 since the filter is located on the top! (lucky u).

Good luck!

 

so that's where the plug is. I can finally do my own oil changes!

Pitchar

 

You are exactly right. I have the 2004 V6 and just did my first oil change. As a matter of fact you can do it on the ground if you ever need to. There is just enough room.

 

Oh man, a supercharged V8 in Charleston....

Anyone want to invite me down for a test drive?!?!

 

C'mon down, CTB. The supercharger combined with the AWD offers great acceleration. Of course, my other car is a V8 Mustang with a Paxton!

Pitchar

 

Thanks for the tips, it went as easily as i expected. Got to love the location of the oil filter. I didn't spill a drip of old oil due to the nice little spill catch rim they stuck around the oil filter.

One more Question:
The maintenence light keeps blinking after the oil change. In the manual it says that this light means you need to change your oil and i am assuming that the Toyota dealer would just reset it somehow. So does anyone know how to reset it so it doesn't blink for the next 20,000 miles until my next change?

Thanks.

 

1. Turn ignition switch to "ON" position
2. Set odometer/trip display to "ODO" mode
3. Turn ignition switch to "OFF" position
4. Depress and hold the Trip Meter "RESET" button while turning the ignition switch to the "ON" position
5. The service maintenance reminder light will:

i. Illuminate solidly for 3 seconds
ii. Blink for 2 seconds
iii. Illuminate solidly for 1 second
iv. Turn off

6. Release the Trip Meter "RESET" button
7. Turn the ignition switch to the "OFF" position
8. Turn the ignition to the "ON" position and confirm that the service maintenance reminder light goes out.

 

Thanks!
How did you figure that one out? Do you have the service books on the car?

I appreciate the help!

Do you have any idea of how the light is programed to operate? Does it operate solely off of the odometer and go off 5000 miles from the last time reset, or does it also take into account other factors as type of driving done? I know the factory material even suggests changing the oil every 7500 miles if you are only doing light driving and no towing. I intend to go about 15-20,000 miles though with the AMSOil Series 2000 oil. Well, just curious.

Thanks again.

 

The procedure to reset the maint light on the dash in in the Owners Manual, on page 120 (I think).

 

This procedure works for my 2004 4Runner V8 2WD. Thanks for this information.