How to Change Oil on a 2018-2023 Toyota Camry (2.5L Engine)

Changing your own oil is one of the best ways to start maintaining your Toyota Camry yourself. It’s straightforward, saves money, and helps you get familiar with your car. This guide covers the 2018-2023 Camry with the 2.5L 4-cylinder engine — the most common configuration.

Why Change Your Own Oil?

You’ll save $30-55 per oil change. Over the life of your car, that’s $300-600 in savings plus the peace of mind of knowing the job was done right.

What You’ll Need

Pre-Work Safety Checklist

Step-by-Step Procedure

Step 1: Prepare the Car

1. Run the engine for 5 minutes to warm the oil (makes it flow better)
2. Turn off engine and wait 10 minutes (oil is warm but not dangerously hot)
3. Set parking brake and put transmission in Park
4. Pop the hood and locate the oil filler cap (has oil symbol)

Step 2: Lift the Front of the Car

The drain plug is on the passenger side of the oil pan, accessible from the front-right wheel well.

1. Loosen front lug nuts (don’t remove completely)
2. Position floor jack under the front center jack point
3. Lift front of car until both front wheels are off ground
4. Place jack stands under proper lift points (marked on frame rails)
5. Lower car onto stands and test stability
6. Remove front-right wheel for easier access

Step 3: Locate Drain Plug and Filter

From under the front-right of the car:

• Drain plug: 17mm bolt on passenger side of oil pan
• Oil filter: Black cylindrical canister above the oil pan, toward the center

Both are accessible from this position. The drain plug may have a plastic splash shield around it that you can work through.

Step 4: Drain the Oil

1. Position drain pan slightly to passenger side (oil will arc out)
2. Remove drain plug with 17mm socket (turn counterclockwise)
3. Let oil drain completely (15-20 minutes)
4. Clean drain plug and inspect the gasket

Step 5: Replace the Filter

While oil is draining:

1. Position drain pan under the filter area
2. Remove old filter by turning counterclockwise (may need filter wrench)
3. Clean filter mounting surface on engine block
4. Apply thin coat of new oil to new filter’s rubber gasket
5. Install new filter hand-tight plus 3/4 turn (do NOT over-tighten)

Step 6: Reinstall Drain Plug

1. Thread drain plug by hand until snug (prevent cross-threading)
2. Install new drain plug gasket if old one is damaged
3. Tighten with socket to 30 ft-lbs (snug plus 1/4 turn)
4. Don’t over-tighten — you’ll strip the oil pan threads

Step 7: Lower the Car

1. Reinstall wheel and hand-tighten lug nuts
2. Raise car slightly to remove jack stands
3. Lower car completely
4. Tighten lug nuts to spec (76 ft-lbs) in star pattern

Step 8: Add New Oil

1. Remove oil filler cap on top of engine
2. Insert funnel into filler hole
3. Add 4.5 quarts of 0W-20 oil slowly
4. Wait 5 minutes for oil to settle
5. Check oil level with dipstick (should be between MIN and MAX)
6. Add more if needed (don’t overfill)

Step 9: Test and Clean Up

1. Start engine and let idle for 2-3 minutes
2. Check for leaks under the car
3. Turn off engine and wait 5 minutes
4. Recheck oil level and top off if needed
5. Reset oil life monitor (see owner’s manual for procedure)

Oil and Filter Recommendations

Maintenance Schedule

For 2018-2023 Camry with 0W-20 synthetic oil:

• Normal driving: Every 10,000 miles
• Severe conditions: Every 5,000 miles

Severe conditions include:

• Frequent short trips (less than 5 miles)
• Stop-and-go traffic
• Extreme temperatures
• Dusty conditions
• Towing

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Over-tightening drain plug — Strips oil pan threads (expensive repair)
2. Double-gasketing oil filter — Causes massive leak (remove old gasket first)
3. Overfilling with oil — Can damage engine (check level carefully)
4. Forgetting to reinstall drain plug — You’ll lose all new oil immediately
5. Using wrong oil viscosity — Stick to 0W-20 for this engine

Troubleshooting

Oil leak after change:

• Check drain plug and filter tightness
• Look for double-gasketed filter
• Ensure drain plug gasket is properly seated

Oil level too high:

• Drain some oil through drain plug
• Never drive with overfilled oil

Oil level too low:

• Add small amounts and recheck
• Look for leaks if level drops quickly

Environmental Note

Dispose of used oil responsibly:

• Most auto parts stores accept used oil for free
• Quick lube shops also take used oil
• Never dump oil down drains or on the ground
• Used filters should also be recycled

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Congratulations! You’ve just completed your first oil change and saved $30-55. This skill will serve you well throughout car ownership. The more you do it, the faster and more confident you’ll become.

Next maintenance to learn: How to rotate your tires — another simple DIY that saves money and extends tire life. Guide coming soon!