2006-2012 Toyota RAV4 V6 3.5L Engine Oil Change

In this video I go through the steps to change the engine oil and filter on a 2009 Toyota Rav4 Limited V6 engine. To drain and refill this engine, the owner's manual says 6.4 quarts (6.1L), but mine used about 6 quarts (5.67 liters). This is the 3rd generation Rav4 with the 3.5L V6 engine.
Tools and materials:
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About 6 quarts (5.67 Liters) 5W-30 oil (I am using Mobil 1 full synthetic) - owners manual says 6.4 quarts
1 oil filter - I am using Mobil 1 extended performance oil filter - M1C-251A
14mm socket and wrench
3/8" drive socket for oil filter housing
funnel
oil filter wrench
oil drain pan
Torque Specs information:
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Oil filter cap = 18 ft.lbs.
Oil filter cap drainbolt = 10 ft.lbs.
Tighten the oil filter cap with an oil filter cap wrench & tighten the drainbolt with the ⅜ inch extension.
This process should be the same for the following model years of V6:
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

[@ahobimo732]

Your RAV4 is in really great shape! I have a 2010, and it's my favorite vehicle I've ever owned. The V6 is just awesome. I'm gonna try to keep mine running for as long as possible. The newer RAV4s dont't have the V6 option anymore. Thanks for the upload. :)

[@DIYGuyUSA]

These are great and will last a long time with maintenance.

[@thezacpizza2840]

Dude this is awesome and very helpful since every car is a little different watching tutorials for my exact car saves a lot of hassle! Keep doing what your doing!

[@JulieRainyPDX]

Great video! I may attempt this next summer (with help). Toyota charges over $130 for 6 cylinder - ouch. Walmart is around $60 for synthetic oil change.

[@DIYGuyUSA]

It is very easy if you can just jack the car up about 8 inches to get some room underneath. I just had to change again last week.

[@arielson90]

thank you sir.

[@dylansteigerwaldart5564]

Very helpful!

[@rogerbec5766]

I changed my oil yesterday on my wife's Toyota Rav4 6cyl. I set the oil filter and hand tightened at first to make sure I wouldn't damage to the threads. Then I tightened filter until it stopped like you did but after I started the car for a minute and then turned it of, a minute later or so I noticed oil drops coming down from the filter. I may have over torqued it so this time I used a torque wrench and set it for 19 lbs., restarted the vehicle and no oil drips. Drove for 6 miles and still no drips. So I guess I'm ok. Anyone out there have the same issue I had? DIYGuy?

[@DIYGuyUSA]

I usually go hand tight and then about another quarter turn with the filter wrench. It is really hard to get off later when it is over torqued.

[@markrunyon5524]

I"ve got a 2012 rav4 limited and I love it but why didn"t Toyota put a regular,spin on filter on it?My 63 impala had this ancient filter on it.C"mon!

[@njsongwriter]

The reason the entire oil filter cap comes off with the drainbolt is because torque specs were not followed on a previous oil change... Oil filter cap = 18 ft.lbs. Oil filter cap drainbolt = 10 ft.lbs. Tighten the oil filter cap with an oil filter cap wrench & tighten the drainbolt with the ⅜ inch extension. You don't need tools to remove the o-ring kzbin.info/www/bejne/l2GnkKl9e8x_epo

[@DIYGuyUSA]

Thanks. I'll add those torque specs in the description.

[@regsparkes6507]

Good to be made aware of this, Thank you!

[@JuanMartinez-ol7ek]

Good videos toyota nice rav 4 limited v6 strong 💪 and to fast!!

[@DIYGuyUSA]

Sure is!

[@sonofrobert]

I would loosen the filter housing until the oil drips out, instead of dropping it so fast , letting the oil splash out.

[@AMF96]

Just did my first oil change on my 2011 RAV4 V6 Limited. Your video was very helpful in doing this! Also wanted to ask if you know if it’s possible to change the mileage that the maintenance light comes on? I was expecting it to come on at 3,000 miles since the last oil change but it didn’t.. wondering if it’s set to come on at more like 5,000 miles and if it’s possible to change that since I would prefer it come on at 3,000

[@DIYGuyUSA]

I believe they are not strictly based on mileage for the interval as city driving is harder than highway driving. They also incorporate the amount of time/duration.

[@DIYGuyUSA]

I believe this is not strictly based on mileage as city driving is harder than highway driving. They also incorporate a time/duration when calculating the interval.

[@Benjamin-tw1gw]

Mine was stuck too. Such a mess it made

[@regsparkes6507]

Why not clean out the oil filter cannister BEFORE adding a new filter. Sure as heck there's residual dirt down in there.

[@hien7801]

Can you tell me how many litters?

[@DIYGuyUSA]

This would be about 5.7 liters

[@rl848]

I found it strange you used 5w-30 oil, because my 2011 Highlander v6 with same engine uses 0w-20. I checked both owners manual for the rav4 and Highlander on the Toyota website and it says to use different viscosity. Why is that when same engine?

[@DIYGuyUSA]

Good question. It is probably a slight difference in engineering calculation based on the two different applications of the engine (RAV4 vs. Highlander)

[@insungchoe9015]

This might sound dumb. I filled 5.5 qts and my dip stick shows way past those 2 dots. Mine is v6 as well. I am about to drain some of it. How much does it go dwon once you start the engine? Oil level shows i might have out 7 qts. Lol

[@DIYGuyUSA]

Some of the oil will go into the filter if it was empty. If it is too full, then you might get some in your intake, so be careful. I have a Mityvac suction pump that I use on occasion. It can pull oil out if the dipstick tube.

[@kylebucy9541]

The manual says 6.4 quarts with filter change..

[@kylebucy9541]

So the gasket on the that goes on the bottom piece that you couldn't get off doesn't need to be replaced??????????????????????

[@DIYGuyUSA]

I replaced it during the next oil change. It wasn't leaking at all, but I wouldn't leave it long term without replacing it.

[@hien7801]

Can you said in litters please

[@DIYGuyUSA]

I added liters along with quart measurements. Hope this helps

[@regsparkes6507]

Easy to let Google convert these measurements for you.