I'm getting psyched up to change my oil on my new (6000 miles) 2006 xB and I'd appreciate any tips.

I have a concrete floor, hydraulic jack (dolly), oil pan, oil wrench, safety jacks, and wheel blocks.

Which is the best side to place the jack —the driver's side or the passenger's side? —does it matter which way the car is tilted so as to optimize draining?

Would it be easier to buy a pair of 1' high ramps (Wal-Mart)?

Thanks,

Kerry

 

If you have 1 inch ramps that should do it as long as it's not lowered. The filter is easily reached from the front and so is the drainplug.
BTW, first oil change should have been around 1-1.5 K to remove all the break-in debris. I know Toyota doesn't say anything but they are in the business to sell more cars. Not keep them on the road for 300K plus miles. Congrats and good luck with the first change.
Also, There are dealers on here that sell Toyota filters for like 45 bucks shipped for 10 packs. For oil, consider using Mobil 1 and Toyota filters every 5 K for long life.

 

Team work: Genuine Toyota Oil Filter 10-Pack
Also: High Flow Oil Filters

 

Change that to 1 foot high ramps. My 2006 xB is stock.

Re: "...reached from the front...." Do you mean I should place the jack at the front and centered on the engine?

The original owner changed the oil around 5000.

I got my Mobil 1 at Wal-Mart. Much too expensive to special order such things from here on the Big Isle of Hawaii.

Thanks,

Kerry

 

If it's stock height you should have no problem reaching both areas without the need of a jack. Just lay on cardboard on floor.
Also put cardboard under drainpan just incase of splatter or drips.

 

i love to see everyone helpen a new guy.

great advice peps.

 

My 05 is lowered an inch so I have to jack up the pass side a little bit for enough room to get to the drain plug and filter. It's really easy though, you'll see. You may need an extension on your socket wrench to get to your filter more easily if you use one of those filter removing things.

 

Didn't you get coupons for like 3 free oil changes?

 

We all did. I for one will never use them tho. They are a ploy to lure you into the stealerships service dept. where all sorts of nasty stuff can happen to your toaster when it's outta your site. It is simply not worth the risk IMHO!!!! I still wish I could get my unused filters and oil tho. They were not "free". They were built into the price of the vehicle!

 

You must be one slenda bugga. Even though mine's stock my chest will barely fit without raising it some.

so lifting the pass side is best for draining as much as possible?

The person I bought it from may have but she didn't pass them on to me. There was a dealer oil change sticker on the window but the date and mileage had faded. The owner said she had changed it around 5000K. The dealer didn't enter it in her Service Record booklet. I did however give the dealer the original and a copy of the transfer of ownership form located at the back of the Service Record booklet so I'm assuming there could be two more changes due. I'm putting in Mobil 1 and an Extended Service filter so I'd rather do the job myself.

Thanks.

Me too, especially because I'm a new guy.

Thanks all, keep those tips roll'n in.

Kerry

 

Im no skinny Minny either ... so here is what i do. I raise the passenger side of the car ... back out the drain plug ( 14MM ) and let it drain into the catch pan. While its draining, just let the jack down to normal ride hieght. Keep an eye out, and once its done raise it back up and re-install the plug.

Moving on to the filter. I use the blue PureOne filters. I also use the adaptor that fits the bottom of the filter and connects to the 3/8s rachet and a 8" extension. I back it off enough to get in there with my hands, then take it off. Use your catch can beneath as it will spill oil, and lots of it. I also wear latex gloves cause like i said, once you take 2 or 3 turns off the housing oil will pour out from the filter.

Im going to assume you know how to install a fresh filter. Whole oil change should take about 10 to 15 minutes. Really no big deal.

Oh, and for the 3 free deal .. i dont trust someone who just got their mechanics license and doesnt know the different bwtween 5W30 ... Tranny Fluid ... and Blue Juice for your windshield.

 

Kerry, I'm not slender at 245 lbs. I have long arms seeing how I'm 6'3". I use my right hand/arm while laying with my feet pointed out on the pass. side. I can change the filter without even looking at it now. Those metal socket things that fit the end of the filter are great for breaking them loose.
Not sure why but I always change the filter first then drain the crankcase. I may try and get a magnetic drain plug in the future.

 

That's the way i do it. that's the best way cause when you spin the oil filter off and it falls into the oil dish it doesn't splatter oil everywhere. i did my first one at 1,600 miles when it was stock and didn't need to jack it up, since then i put s. techs on and i'm almost positive ima have to jack it up. i'm planning on doing mine within this week!

 

These are 2 items I use - make it quick and easy.

http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com/

http://www.innate.com/Supplies/filtermag/filtermag.htm

I liked the tip about removing the filter BEFORE draing the oil, no splatter.

With the fumoto - you can even drain directly into a bottle - remove fill cap first.

I prefer Wix (best price from Rockauto.com)or Toyota filters.

 

i like the QuickOilDrainValve, altho $23 + 4 shipping sounds a little much. im going to se if i can find somthing like it at Home Depot.

 

Both the magnet and the drain valve look to be excellent ideas.

xBs have 12mm threads for the oil drain plug?

Thanks,
Kerry

 

Break-in debris?
https://www.scionlife.com/forums/vie...r=asc&&start=0

 

I think boards are cheaper, faster to get up on, and safer than jacks.

 

Why not raise the driver side of the car so all the oil will go to the passenger side where the drain plug is?

 

How can it make any difference when you remove the filter? There is a little oil trapped above the filter's seal, then filter is full of oil and not level. As soon as you back it off the rubber seal, a 1/2 cup of trapped oil is going to fall out, and then another 1/2 cup will come out of the filter before you get it completely unscrewed and hold it level. Is anyone saying they have changed the filter with no splatter?