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Toyota Camry 1997-2001: How to Change Oil

Changing your own oil is as easy as it is rewarding yourself when you do it yourself.

By Jeffrey Smith - July 22, 2015

This article applies to the 4th Generation Toyota Camry (1997-2001).

One of the easiest routing maintenance jobs is also one of the most neglected. Changing the oil in your Camry shouldn't be something that you shy away from because you don't feel like taking it to a professional and paying $70 or more. Changing the oil is a really simple task that anyone can accomplish, regardless of mechanical skills. If you have a garage and a container to catch the old oil, you can change the oil in your Camry in a matter of minutes. The only cost to you will be the new oil and a filter; a nominal fee compared to what a professional is going to charge. It's also a feeling of accomplishment that you did this on your own, saving yourself some money in the process—a win-win situation for sure.

Materials Needed

  • Oil and filter
  • 14mm socket
  • Catch can and container for old oil
  • Shop rags
  • Hydraulic floor jack and jack stands (optional)

Step 1 – Jack up your car (optional)

  • You may wish to jack up your car, but it is not necessary.
  • On the front jacking point, which is on the crossmember, there is a detent that sticks out and it is made for jack use.
  • Use at least two jack stands for the front end of the car.
  • Never use the floor jack alone while working under your car. Always use jack stands if you are lifting your car for this job.
  • Figure 1. Front jacking point on crossmember.
  • Figure 2. Set stands on the reinforced part of the "pinch welds" behind the front wheels.

Step 2 – Pop the hood and remove the oil fill cap

  • Pull the hood release latch to pop the hood open and lock it out.
  • Remove the oil fill cap to prevent a vacuum when you start draining. With the oil cap removed, the oil will drain quicker.
Figure 3. Remove the fill cap to allow the old oil to drain faster.

Pro Tip

Draining the oil when the engine is a bit warm (not hot) will greatly speed this job up, but take care when working on a warm engine.

Step 3 – Place catch can under oil pan and drain the old oil

  • Slide your catch can under the oil drain pan, which is located to the outside edge of the exhaust pipe.
  • Wipe away the grime from the drain bolt.
  • Use a 14mm socket on the drain bolt and remove.
  • Once the bolt starts to come close to the end, the oil will start draining. Let it drain completely into the catch container. This should take about 15 minutes.
  • Replace the drain plug.
Figure 4. Oil drain plug location.

Step 4 – Replace oil filter

  • On your Camry, you'll notice that the oil filter is near the front of the engine (by the dipstick) underneath the manifold. This makes it easy to remove, but very messy.
  • Place some rags or towels around the base of the oil filter.
  • The oil filter should only be hand-tight, so removing it should be done easily enough with a counterclockwise twist with your hands only.
  • When the oil filter comes off, quickly turn the bottom opening to the top as some oil is going to spill. Hopefully the rags will catch most of it
  • Dip your index finger in the old oil and coat the threads and the gasket of the new filter before screwing back into place.
  • Tighten the new filter in place only hand-tight, plus about a quarter more of a turn.
Figure 5. The oil filter is super easy to get to, but also very messy when removed.

Step 5 – Fill car with new oil

  • Use the manufacturer's recommended oil type and viscosity. Check the owner's manual for the right amount to use with a new oil filter installed, for most Camry 4-cylinder engines, this is 4.5 quarts.
  • Be sure to never overfill or use too much oil. I like to intentionally underfill the engine by about 0.5 to 1 quarts because you can never get 100% of the old oil out.
Figure 6. If you purchase a 5 QT container, that is too much so do not use it all.
  • Replace the oil fill cap.
  • Turn the engine on, and let it run for about 10 seconds. Shut the engine off and check the oil level. Fill as necessary.
  • Reset the oil change light if it had come on.

Featured Video: 1999 Camry Oil Change

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