Replace a 2004 Camry oil filter

Tips:

Wear leather gloves to remove the plug if it's hot. 



Keep the gloves for changing the oil, have a rag handy to wipe off the oil that will get on the gloves.



It's always best to replace the oil drain plug gasket. 



Use the right size wrench or socket. Don't use an adjustable wrench: you can strip the bolt. 



Consult your owner's manual or an automotive parts specialist to find out the weight of oil and type of oil filter your car needs. 



You'll need the year, make, model and mileage of your car if you go to an auto parts store. 



You will also need to decide what oil and filter you are going to use, Synthetic or Conventional. 

Make sure the car is securely supported before you crawl underneath. 



You will need two jack stands to support the front of your car after jacking it up. 



Never get under a car that is supported only by a jack! A pair of jack stands costs less than $20. 



Handle hot automotive oil with extreme care. 



Only dispose of used motor oil and filters at authorized locations. 



Used oil contains many carcinogens, avoid contact, and wear rubber gloves.

Draining the Oil and Changing the Oil Filter Steps:
1. Crawl under the car once it is securely supported. 
2. Locate the oil drain plug on the underside of the engine, usually just behind the front wheel of the car. 
Consult your owner's manual for the exact location. 
3. Place the oil drain pan under the plug and loosen the plug with a socket wrench. Remember: turn counter-clockwise to remove bolts. 
4. Remove the plug by hand. Be prepared for the rush of hot oil! 
5. Let the oil drain into the pan. Hold onto the plug. 
6. Reposition the pan, if necessary, to catch all the dripping oil. 
7. Wipe off the drain plug and the plug opening when the oil finishes draining. 
8. Replace the drain plug gasket. 
9. Reinstall the plug. Always start threading any bolts or screws by hand to prevent cross threading. 
10. Tighten with a wrench or socket. Be careful not to over tighten the plug. 
11. Locate the existing oil filter. Oil filters are usually on the side of the engine. 
12. Position the oil pan underneath the filter to catch any remaining oil. 
13. Use strap wrench to loosen the old oil filter if it is too tight to remove by hand. 
Make sure the rubber seal of the old filter is not stuck to the engine. (Be careful when removing the old oil filter. It's full of oil.)
14. Use a rag to wipe the area where the filter mounts to the engine. 
15. Use some new oil to lightly coat the rubber seal of the new filter. 
(If you are lucky and your filter is straight up & down pre-fill the filter with fresh oil till it remains full.
Even if the filter mounts sideways you can pre-fill it to the point where the fresh oil is soaked into the filter material.
Doing this will help with the startup lack of oil going to the engine.)
16. Screw the new filter into place by hand, wear the leather gloves to help tighten the filter. 
It's usually not necessary to tighten the oil filter with the oil filter wrench, but have it at the ready if you're grip's not strong (or large) enough. 
Tighten 3/4 turn after the filter makes contact with the mounting surface, no more, no less!

Installing New Oil and Cleaning Up Steps:
1. Locate the oil filler cap on top of the engine. Remove it. 
2. Place the funnel in the opening and pour in the new oil. Typically, you will use 4 to 5 quarts of oil.
Check your manual for the correct oil capacity. 
3. Replace the cap when you're finished. 
4. Run the engine for a minute or two. 
5. Check the area around the oil drain plug and the filter for oil leaks. Tighten the plug or oil filter if you find leakage. 
6. Use rags and newspapers to wipe away excess oil. 
7. Pour the used oil into a plastic container after the used oil cools. (Old 1 gal milk containers with screw-on lids work great for this.) 
8. Dispose of the used oil properly: either bring it to a recycling center or an auto repair shop that can recycle it for you.
REMEMBER
Record the date and mileage after you change the oil so you will know when your car is due for another oil change. 
It helps to put a small sticker on your windshield to remind you, also a small service book available at your local auto parts store, that you keep in the glove compartment or console. 



Draining the Oil and Changing the Oil Filter Steps:
1. Crawl under the car once it is securely supported. 
2. Locate the oil drain plug on the underside of the engine, usually just behind the front wheel of the car. 
Consult your owner's manual for the exact location. 
3. Place the oil drain pan under the plug and loosen the plug with a socket wrench. Remember: turn counter-clockwise to remove bolts. 
4. Remove the plug by hand. Be prepared for the rush of hot oil! 
5. Let the oil drain into the pan. Hold onto the plug. 
6. Reposition the pan, if necessary, to catch all the dripping oil. 
7. Wipe off the drain plug and the plug opening when the oil finishes draining. 
8. Replace the drain plug gasket. 
9. Reinstall the plug. Always start threading any bolts or screws by hand to prevent cross threading. 
10. Tighten with a wrench or socket. Be careful not to over tighten the plug. 
11. Locate the existing oil filter. Oil filters are usually on the side of the engine. 
12. Position the oil pan underneath the filter to catch any remaining oil. 
13. Use strap wrench to loosen the old oil filter if it is too tight to remove by hand. 
Make sure the rubber seal of the old filter is not stuck to the engine. (Be careful when removing the old oil filter. It's full of oil.)
14. Use a rag to wipe the area where the filter mounts to the engine. 
15. Use some new oil to lightly coat the rubber seal of the new filter. 
(If you are lucky and your filter is straight up & down pre-fill the filter with fresh oil till it remains full.
Even if the filter mounts sideways you can pre-fill it to the point where the fresh oil is soaked into the filter material.
Doing this will help with the startup lack of oil going to the engine.)
16. Screw the new filter into place by hand, wear the leather gloves to help tighten the filter. 
It's usually not necessary to tighten the oil filter with the oil filter wrench, but have it at the ready if you're grip's not strong (or large) enough. 
Tighten 3/4 turn after the filter makes contact with the mounting surface, no more, no less!

Installing New Oil and Cleaning Up Steps:
1. Locate the oil filler cap on top of the engine. Remove it. 
2. Place the funnel in the opening and pour in the new oil. Typically, you will use 4 to 5 quarts of oil.
Check your manual for the correct oil capacity. 
3. Replace the cap when you're finished. 
4. Run the engine for a minute or two. 
5. Check the area around the oil drain plug and the filter for oil leaks. Tighten the plug or oil filter if you find leakage. 
6. Use rags and newspapers to wipe away excess oil. 
7. Pour the used oil into a plastic container after the used oil cools. (Old 1 gal milk containers with screw-on lids work great for this.) 
8. Dispose of the used oil properly: either bring it to a recycling center or an auto repair shop that can recycle it for you.
REMEMBER
Record the date and mileage after you change the oil so you will know when your car is due for another oil change. 
It helps to put a small sticker on your windshield to remind you, also a small service book available at your local auto parts store, that you keep in the glove compartment or console.