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How to Change the Oil and Filter on a 2013-2018 Toyota RAV4

Changing the oil in your 2013 to 2018 Toyota RAV4 XLE is an important routine automotive maintenance task that should be performed regularly, or as often as specified in your owners manual, to keep your engine running as it should. Completing oil changes on time and replacing the oil filter in your Toyota helps ensure your engine has clean oil, which is essential for lubricating the engine and preventing premature wear or overheating. If you notice reduced engine performance, your oil pressure light is on, you hear strange noises coming from the engine, or smell burnt oil, we recommend checking your oil levels. If you are due or past due for an oil change, you may simply need to change your oil to get your Toyota RAV4 XLE running at its best again.

Tools & Materials

Safety Glasses Safety Glasses

Gloves Nitrile Gloves

Jack Stands Jack Stands

Floor Jack Floor Jack

Wheel Clocks Wheel Chocks

Drip and Drain Pans Drain Pan

Funnels Oil Funnel

torque wrench in packaging Torque Wrench

Syntec High Mileage SYNTEC High Mileage

MicroGard Select Oil Filter MicroGard Select Oil Filter

Dorman Oil Drain Plug Gasket Dorman Drain Plug Gasket

Ratchet and Socket Set Ratchet and Socket Set

Oil Filter Wrench Oil Filter Wrench

Shop Towels Shop Towels

2013 to 2018 Toyota RAV4 Oil Change Instructions

We will be changing the engine oil and filter in a 2017 Toyota RAV4 hybrid. Procedures will be similar for most RAV4 hybrid models from 2013 to 2018, but be sure to know the specifics for your vehicle before getting started.


A Toyota RAV4 sits parked and level with the hood propped open.

Step 1: Drain the Old Oil

Park on a level surface, turn off the engine, and open the hood.
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In two images, our mechanic uses a floor jack to list the RAV4 and slides a oil drain pan underneath the vehicle.

If needed, chock the rear wheels, and lift and support the front end of the vehicle. Locate the oil drain plug and position your drain pan underneath it.

Do It Right: Learn how to safely lift your vehicle with this How-To page: How to Safely Jack Up Your Vehicle

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In two images, a ratchet is used to loosen and remove the oil drain plug.

Use your ratchet and 14mm socket to loosen the oil drain plug.

Remove it by hand, and let the oil drain completely.

Do It Right: You can also remove the oil fill cap on the engine to allow the oil to drain more quickly.

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Under the RAV4, our mechanic locates the old oil filter.

Step 2: Remove the Old Filter

While the oil drains, you can find the oil filter by moving toward the front of the vehicle from the drain plug. The oil filter housing itself will have a drain plug at the bottom.
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Our expert looses the oil filter drain plug using an extension on the ratchet.

Use a 3/8-inch drive extension to loosen the drain plug, and remove it by hand.
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In two images, our mechanic retrieves the new oil drain tube from your new filter box and attaches it to your oil filter.

Locate the plastic drain tube included with your new filter.

You can fit a 15mm hose to the drain tube before you attach it to the filter housing, or set your drain pan under the filter when you attach the tube.
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Using the drain tube, old oil drains from the filter housing.

Insert the drain tube at the bottom of the filter housing, and let the oil drain.
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Remove Your Old Oil Filter

The oil drain tube is removed from the filter housing.

Once the filter has completely drained, squeeze the drain tube on either side to remove it from the housing.
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The old oil filter housing is loosened using the 3/8-inch drive extension.

Step 3: Remove Your Old Oil Filter

Attach your filter wrench to your 3/8-inch drive extension to loosen the filter housing, and then remove it by hand. Use a shop towel or rag to wipe down the filter mounting area.
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In three images, the old filter and O-rings are removed from the filter housing.

Remove the old filter and the two O-rings from the housing.
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Install Your New Oil Filter

New O-Rings are lubricated with fresh oil and installed on the oil filter housing.

Step 4: Install the New Oil Filter

Install the two new O-rings on the filter housing, and lubricate them with some fresh oil.
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In three images, the oil filter housing is wiped down with a shop rag and a new filter is installed into the housing and vehicle.

Use a shop towel or rag to wipe down the filter housing. Install your new filter in the housing, and thread the housing into place by hand.
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The oil filter housing is tightened using the 3/8-inch drive extension.

Use your 3/8-inch drive extension with a torque wrench to tighten the filter housing to 18 foot-pounds.
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The filter housing drain plus is reinstalled and tightened with your 3/8-inch drive wrench.

Reinstall the filter housing drain plug, and tighten it to 9 foot-pounds using your 3/8-inch drive torque wrench.
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In three images, a new oil drain plug is threaded and tightened with a torque wrench.

Step 5: Reinstall Your Oil Drain Plug

Use a shop towel or rag to wipe down the drain plug. Install a new crush washer on your drain plug, and thread it into place by hand.

Use your torque wrench and 14mm socket to tighten the plug to 30 foot-pounds.
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Fresh SYNTEC High Mileage 0W-20 motor is added to the RAV4.

Step 6: Refill Your Engine’s Oil and Check for Leaks

If you haven’t already, remove the oil fill cap in the engine bay and add your fresh oil.

This model takes 4.6 quarts of 0W-20, and since this vehicle has over 75,000 miles, we’re using Syntec full synthetic high-mileage. Once the oil level is refilled, tighten the fill cap back in place and run the engine until it’s warm.
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Our mechanic removes the oil drain pan from under the vehicle.

Check under the vehicle for any oil leaks. If everything looks good, it’s safe to shut off the engine.
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In two images, our mechanic lowers the RAV4 and removes the wheel chocks.

Step 7: Lower Your Vehicle

Remove your jackstands, lower the front end, and remove the wheel chocks.
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In two images, the oil level is checked with the dipstick and the RAV4’s hood is lowered.

Step 8: Check Your Oil Level

Double-check using the dipstick to make sure the oil level is within the appropriate range.

Once you’ve verified the oil level, you can shut the hood.
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Reset Your Oil Change Indicator Light

Monochrome Display

With the engine running, use the DISPLAY CHANGE button at the bottom of the gas gauge to switch the display to trip meter "A".

Turn the engine switch to the LOCK position, or with a smart key, switch the engine OFF.

While pressing the display change button, turn the engine switch to the ON position, but don’t start the engine. Continue to press and hold the button until the trip meter displays zeroes.
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In two images, the “Scheduled Maintenance” button is selected in the Vehicle Settings display and resetting data is confirmed.

Color Display

Turn the ignition switch to ON. Using the steering pad switch assembly, select SETTING on the display. Select MAINTENANCE from the setting display and initialize the reset.
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The display shows a message that says “The Data Has Been Reset.”

A confirmation message will be displayed when the reset procedure has finished.
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Additional Resources

motor oil selection

Which Motor Oil is Best for Your Vehicle?
Cabin Air Filter Change

How to Replace the Cabin Air Filter in a 2013 to 2018 Toyota RAV4
In two images, a black Toyota RAV4 parked in a garage while an O’Reilly expert lifts up the wiper arm assembly and detaches the blade from the arm.

How to Replace the Wiper Blades on a 2013 to 2018 Toyota RAV4

Regularly changing the oil in your Toyota RAV4 according to the information and recommendations in your owners manual protects your engine from overheating, wear, and decreased performance. Going too long between oil changes can result in a clogged or dirty oil filter or contaminated oil, which can lead to costly repairs, engine damage, or catastrophic engine failure. Following these steps and video instructions can help you complete your oil change in no time to keep your engine performing its best. To learn more about oil changes, choosing the right oil for your vehicle, or synthetic oil vs conventional oil, visit our How-To Hub for all of the guidance and information you need to get the job done right.


The automotive repair work depicted in this series is performed under the direction of the manufacturer of the product featured. Prior to undertaking any of the demonstrated repairs on your vehicle, we suggest you consult with a certified mechanic or another professional who can adequately advise you of the proper repair or remedy required. O’Reilly Automotive Stores, Inc. and its affiliates (“O’Reilly”) disclaims any responsibility for injury or damage resulting from a viewer’s attempt to recreate the repairs shown in this series.