OC on '08 Rav4, recommendations please

[radtech91]

A friend of mine would like me to do an oil change on her Rav. Here is the info:

2008 Toyota Rav4 V6 Limited 4WD

41,000 miles

Current fill: Whatever Toyota dealer put in
Current filter: Whatever Toyota put in

I wasn't sure if I should just stick with Toyota oil and filter, or get a good synthetic oil in there.

I haven't had a chance to take a look under the hood yet. Does that engine have a cartridge filter or a normal screw on one?
If this car does have cartridge filter, how does that work? i've never messed with one of those before.

How much is the Toyota oil and filter from a dealer?

Thanks

 

[electrolover]

pennzoil ultra and a pure one! thts my re for everything lol

 

[cos]

What are you looking for in an oil & filter? Low price or super premium?

 

[radtech91]

Originally Posted By: cos
What are you looking for in an oil & filter? Low price or super premium?


I'm thinking along the lines of Pennzoil Ultra or Mobil 1 Extended Performance. Around their price range. I can get the 5qt containers at walmart from about $23-$27.

I'm doing some research on some Rav4 forums at the moment and see what they say too.

I'm thinking I may just stick with the toyota filter, just because it is still under warranty and all.

 

[ProfPS]

Yes, it has a cartridge oil filter. If you don't have the correct tool and a torque wrench, I wouldn't try changing it. The cast aluminum cartridge pieces can crack easily; you can replace them if broken, but it's a pain. Dealer OC's can vary in price. Check several dealer websites for coupons or promotions. Is she the original owner? If so, maybe the dealership where she bought it may give her a break or even free OC's. 5K mi/6 month OC don't require syn unless she's towing, driving in extreme heat or cold. I've been running dino since my '07 was new and haven't had a problem even with this past cold winter in the northeast. I recommend checking the spare tire pressure as it has a tire pressure monitor that could trip the dash light when the pressure is low.

 

[Brons2]

Good to know, my girlfriend also has an 08 Rav4 with the V6. I've never done a cartridge filter, either.

 

[dtt004]

Hi.

What kind of driving does she do? That is the most important factor in an oil recommendation.

If she wants to extend her oil drain intervals, operates in extreme temperatures, I would recommend a synthetic. I am not sure about Toyota's current oil manufacturer, but I have several quart bottles from 2006 that I haven't used yet...and they were made by Eneos. Whatever the case may be, you won't go wrong with a Toyota oil and filter, assuming that is what your dealer has been installing.

Other than that, a conventional oil compares favorably to synthetic if you want to keep things affordable.

However, the best bet is to stick with whatever the owner's manual is recommending in terms of oil type, viscosity, and drain interval, unless you believe you need a different scenario.

Pennzoil Ultra and Mobil 1 Extended Performance are both great synthetic oils. You can't go wrong with them either.

 

[radtech91]

Originally Posted By: dtt004

What kind of driving does she do? That is the most important factor in an oil recommendation.

If she wants to extend her oil drain intervals, operates in extreme temperatures, I would recommend a synthetic.


She does 50% highway and 50% country roads. She would like to do extended drain intervals, that's why I'm leading towards the Mobil 1 Extended Performance.

 

[ProfPS]

If you have a 3/8" drive low ft-lb torque wrench and the correct end-cap-tool, it's fairly easy. The torque specs are 20 ft-lbs for the casing, 10 ft-lbs for the drain cover that's at the bypass. To drain the filter, you remove the drain cover and use a plastic drain plug that comes with the filter to open the bypass. Once it's drained, unscrew the filter casing. Replace the o-rings & coat them with little oil, replace the filter, hand screw the casing on, tighten to spec, replace drain cover, tighten to spec, done. I fill the casing with oil before assembling it, but I'd do a couple OC's to get comfortable with the process.

 

[radtech91]

Originally Posted By: ProfPS
If you have a 3/8" drive low ft-lb torque wrench and the correct end-cap-tool, it's fairly easy. The torque specs are 20 ft-lbs for the casing, 10 ft-lbs for the drain cover that's at the bypass. To drain the filter, you remove the drain cover and use a plastic drain plug that comes with the filter to open the bypass. Once it's drained, unscrew the filter casing. Replace the o-rings & coat them with little oil, replace the filter, hand screw the casing on, tighten to spec, replace drain cover, tighten to spec, done. I fill the casing with oil before assembling it, but I'd do a couple OC's to get comfortable with the process.


I have a torque wrench I got it just to use on my cars. Do I just get the endcap tool at toyota or is there a place to get the same product but cheaper online?

 

[iunderpressure]

Buy the endcap tool at most auto parts stores. It's the same tool used on canned filters. Make sure you get a metal tool because when our Toyota was new the plastic tool flexed and didn't hold tight enough. Had to buy the metal one and never had another problem.

I know autozone carries metal ones.

 

[Slick17601]

I bought my tool from Amazon.com