Oil Change - Synthetic

This procedure covers draining the old engine oil, replacing the oil filter and drain plug crush washer, and refilling with synthetic 0W-20 oil on the 2019-2024 Toyota RAV4 2.5L I4 engine.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Engine oil filter × 1 — 04152-31090 or equivalent
• Oil drain plug crush washer × 1 — 90430-12031 or equivalent

Fluids

• Toyota Genuine 0W-20 — 5 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and apply parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
3. Allow engine to cool if recently operated
4. Raise front of vehicle using jack and support securely on jack stands
5. Locate oil drain plug on bottom of oil pan (passenger side toward rear) and oil filter (driver side of engine, accessible from below)

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove engine undertray or skid plate (if equipped)
   If your RAV4 is equipped with an engine undertray or skid plate, remove the fasteners using appropriate tools. Some models have plastic clips and bolts. Store fasteners in a safe location for reinstallation.
   Torque spec

   Skid Plate Bolts14 Nm (10 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Position drain pan and remove drain plug
   Position the oil drain pan underneath the oil drain plug. Using a 17mm socket or wrench, slowly loosen the drain plug counterclockwise. Once loose, carefully unscrew by hand and quickly pull away to avoid oil splash. Allow oil to drain completely (approximately 5-10 minutes).
   ⚠Oil may be hot. Drain plug will drop once threads disengage.
3. 3

   Inspect and replace drain plug crush washer
   Once oil has fully drained, remove the old crush washer from the drain plug and inspect the drain plug threads for damage. Install the new crush washer onto the drain plug. The crush washer is single-use and must be replaced each oil change to prevent leaks.
   Torque spec

   Oil Drain Plug35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Reinstall oil drain plug
   Thread the drain plug with new crush washer into the oil pan by hand to ensure proper thread engagement. Tighten to specification using a torque wrench. Do not overtighten as this can damage the oil pan threads.
   Torque spec

   Oil Drain Plug35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove old oil filter
   Reposition the drain pan under the oil filter location (driver side of engine). Using an oil filter wrench (64mm or cup-style), turn the oil filter counterclockwise to remove. Some residual oil will drain from the filter housing. Allow to drain completely.
   ℹ️Oil filter is installed vertically and may contain up to 1 quart of oil.
6. 6

   Prepare and install new oil filter
   Clean the oil filter mounting surface on the engine with a clean rag. Apply a light coat of clean engine oil to the rubber gasket on the new oil filter. Thread the new filter onto the mounting boss by hand, turning clockwise. Once the gasket contacts the mounting surface, tighten an additional 3/4 turn by hand.
   ⚠Do not use oil filter wrench to tighten. Hand tighten only to avoid gasket damage.
   Torque spec

   Oil Filter24 Nm (18 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Reinstall undertray or skid plate (if equipped)
   If removed, reinstall the engine undertray or skid plate. Install all fasteners and tighten bolts to specification if applicable. Ensure all clips are properly seated.
   Torque spec

   Skid Plate Bolts14 Nm (10 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Lower vehicle and refill engine oil
   Carefully lower the vehicle from jack stands to the ground. Locate the oil filler cap on top of the engine (driver side, yellow cap). Remove the cap and insert a funnel. Add 4.5 quarts of Toyota Genuine 0W-20 synthetic oil initially. Wait 30 seconds for oil to drain into pan.
   Torque spec

   Oil Filler Cap7 Nm (5 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Check oil level and add remaining oil
   Remove the dipstick (yellow handle near oil filler), wipe clean, reinsert fully, then remove and check level. Add remaining oil in small increments until level reaches between the two dots on the dipstick (full mark). Total capacity is 5.0 quarts with filter change. Reinstall oil filler cap hand tight.
   Torque spec

   Oil Filler Cap7 Nm (5 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Start engine and check for leaks
    Start the engine and allow it to idle for 1-2 minutes. The oil pressure warning light should extinguish within 2-3 seconds. Visually inspect under the vehicle for any leaks at the drain plug and oil filter. Shut off engine and wait 5 minutes for oil to settle.
    ⚠If oil pressure light remains on, shut off engine immediately and investigate.
11. 11

    Perform final oil level check
    After oil has settled for 5 minutes, perform a final dipstick check with engine off and vehicle on level ground. Oil level should be at the full mark (upper dot). Add oil if needed. Do not overfill.
12. 12

    Reset maintenance reminder
    Reset the oil maintenance reminder in the instrument cluster: Turn ignition to ON (engine off). Navigate to the Trip Meter A display using the steering wheel controls. Press and hold the ODO/TRIP button until the maintenance light starts flashing, then release. The system will reset and display the new maintenance interval.

Reassembly

1. Ensure oil filler cap is properly seated and hand tight
2. Verify undertray or skid plate is securely fastened if equipped
3. Clean any spilled oil from engine or undertray surfaces

Verification

• Start engine and verify oil pressure warning light extinguishes within 2-3 seconds
• Check for leaks at drain plug and oil filter while engine is running
• Verify oil level is at full mark on dipstick after engine has run and oil has settled
• Confirm maintenance reminder has been reset in instrument cluster
• Test drive vehicle briefly and recheck for leaks and proper oil level

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