06 Rav4 v6 oil filter and oil advice

[kmamaril]

Hi I am new to the forum and thought I would say Hi. My wife and I bought a new 2006 RAV4 with a v6 engine and we love it. I discovered this forum the other day when I was looking for some information on the oil filter location for our new SUV. The following is what happened.

About two weeks ago I went to my dealer's parts department and asked them for an oil filter for my new 2006 Rav 4 with a v6 engine. They showed me where they were on the shelf and I said "easy enough" and grabbed 5 to save time in the future.

I went to change the oil the other night. I got under the truck and looked around. There was nothing resembling what they gave me let alone an oil filter. I have been changing oil on my cars for the past 6 years and have decided doing it yourself is the way to go. You get really close and familiar with the car that way. Also I have found that I can change it in my garage faster than it takes for me to drive down the road go to the tune and lube and drive home. So anyway after removing various sections of the plastic skid plate I was quite perplexed.

I went inside and looked online. Since I didn't have my credit card on me I couldn't use any of the pay sites to get information or specs at that moment and I really didn't want to spend any money to be honest. I found this site and a couple of references on some threads to different toyota vehicles with element filters. It got me thinking what if the gave me the wrong filter or filter's in this case.

So it being the night before a holiday I waited and called the parts department today and asked them if they could tell me where the oil filter went. They said right next to the oil pan. I said not on this car there is nothing like what they gave me. Then the man said let me check. He comes back a few minutes later and says I'm glad you looked first you have a replaceable element filter in the 2006 v6. You'll have to bring that one back and get this instead.

Oh well you live and you learn. Anyway can any one give me an idea of what is involved in replaceing this type of filter? Also is the 5000 mile oil change too early to switch to synthetic oil. I was going to go to mobile 1 right away but I have been reading conflicting points of view that recomend waiting to 10,000 miles or more.

[yspert]

change the oil every 3000 miles and use the correct weight.
brand doesn't matter. normal or syn....change it every 3000 miles.

[kmamaril]

Thanks. I'll do better the next time with getting the oil at 3000 miles. Funny thing though the service department at the dealer by me recomended every 5000 miles. Of course they also have recomended other treatments that some mechanics are nonsense. Your right though every 3000 is the best way to go. Any idea about what is entailed in the element filter replacement?

[MMitsock]

The correct oil filter element has a set of instructions in the box along with O rings and a drain adapter for the center of the housing. I can try and find a PDF file that has pictures if you need it.

[Quickdtoo]

Here's the V6 oil filter info from the service manual. The filter housing takes a 65-67mm socket type tool like those used on spin-on filters. Be aware that you can buy the OEM filter kits direct from dealers for less than $4 each if you buy in bulk, if they don't offer the discount prices, look at other dealers.

http://home.comcast.net/~quickdtoo/Oil_Filter.pdf

[kmamaril]

Hey thanks for all the tips. I'm going to return my old filters tomorrow and get the kits in bulk like you mentioned. That way I can save some time and money.

[DittoDude]

I just did my 1st oil & filter change @ 3000 miles.
I went to Mobil 1 5W-30.

Does anybody know where to get the special tool SST 09228-06501 for the filter housing removal?

I used a large pair of channel-locks but I don't want to keep doing that.

[Quickdtoo]

I just used a standard 65mm-67mm filter wrench "end cap" that you stick on your 3/8" drive ratchet like this one..

Amazon.com: End Cap Oil Filter Wrench 65 & 67mm 14 Flutes: Tools & Hardware

[DittoDude]

That was quick, Quicky.
Thanks, I'll see if I can find one locally, if not, I'll order one.

[kmamaril]

Hi All I Changed my oil on the 6th and it went pretty well accept for putting the end cap back on. I had an adjustable filter wrench that worked well for taking it off with but when I was putting it back on it slipped a little because of the way it is desgined. I'm going to go try Quickdtoo's suggest and see how that goes. For the next oil change. Thanks again

[Quickdtoo]

The end cap that I used wasn't the best fit either, a piece of plastic bag as a shim to tighten the fit helped, just lay it across the cap and press it onto the oil filter housing, if it's still loose, use a double layer of plastic or a thicker bag.

Tim