I am currently in the process of going from a 2005 BMW M3 to a new 2007 6 speed FJ. I wanted to say this forum was very helpful and answered almost all my questions, without even having to post anything. I used the search function and got most of the answered I needed. I was happy to see that the forum treated newbies pretty well. The M3 forum is not as nice to newbies.
The only questions I could not find answers to were (yes I searched for both)
1. Are there any detailed instructions with pictures on how to change your own oil? I did a search and came up with 30 pages of results. I tried to look at all them, but could not find what I was looking for.
2. From what I can tell the door remote is separate from the key. If this is the case, is there any aftermarket, or Toyota all in one keys that will work? My BMW has the remote on the key. To have 2 different things seems a bit cumbersome to me.
Under the engine of the FJ is a piece of sheet metal that protects the underside from water/dirt. In this piece is an oval shaped plastic panel roughly 8" X 3" (just an estimate, I did not measure it). Clips at each end hold it in place. A flat bladed screwdriver can be used on either end to remome the panel. Once removed, you will see the oil drain plug in the oil pan. Remove the plug and drain all the oil into a suitable container. Replace plug with new gasket. Remove oil filter. There is a drain in the housing under the filter (it has a rubber boot on it you have to remove first). You can place an empty oil bottle, etc. under this drain to catch the oil from the filter. Clean the area of the filter mount where the filter gasket contacts it. Dip your finger in one of the bottles of new oil and apply a light coat of oil to the rubber gasket on the new filter. Screw filter onto filter mount and spin until gasket touches the mount. Tighten by hand another 3/4 turn. Remove oil fill cap and fill crankcase with 5 quarts of new oil and put oil cap back on. Check dipstick for proper oil level. Start engine and run for a few minutes while checking drain plug and filter for leaks. Shut engine off and recheck dipstick after a few minutes. Add oil if neccessary. Reinstall oval panel in splash shield.
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Grok FJ
NON supporting member
Take what man makes and use it,
But do not worship it,
For it shall pass.
If to do were as easy as to know what were good to do,
Chapels had been churches, and poor mans cottages, princes’ palaces.
Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats.
H. L. Mencken
You may want to do this with a fellow FJer the first time if you are uncomfortable doing it by yourself. I do not know what your mechanical skills/knowledge level is. There have been people on this forum changing their own oil that had no business doing so.
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Grok FJ
NON supporting member
Take what man makes and use it,
But do not worship it,
For it shall pass.
If to do were as easy as to know what were good to do,
Chapels had been churches, and poor mans cottages, princes’ palaces.
Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats.
H. L. Mencken
The cover in the metal skid plate is right down the center line of the engine, just before you get to the transmission.
I use a 14 mm socket with a 3" extention to make things easy since the drain plug is perfectly vertical.
Use the socket only for the first few turn when removing and the last few turns when tightening in. This will prevent chances of cross-threading. Remember to replace the drain plug gasket, they are 10 cents at the dealer so keep them handy.
Change oil about 5-10 minutes after you've driven the truck, warm oil will flow faster and more completely with all the contaminants. i.e. don't do it on a cold engine.
The very first time you change oil on a truck, always check what comes out of the plug, by not removing it fully, if its red, you've open the auto transmission drain instead.
This is probably the easiest oil change I've done in many years since you don't need to raise the vehicle, there is so much clearance to crawl underneath.
Welcome to the forum. Looks like you've got your questions answered already. I came from a performance sports car background myself, and have never been happier with a vehicle. Don't forget to add that A-Trac switch!
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Life's a Journey, Enjoy the Ride...
Titanium, 20%tint, Yakima surf rack, debadged (relocated FJ on both doors), 17x8.5 MB Razors w/285 Hankook RT03s, RC 3".
. Welcome to the Yota team.
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