Toyota Corolla 1.8L maintenance: How to change oil, oil filter, air filter and spark plugs

 It’s time for some basic maintenance on a 2010 Toyota Corolla. We will change the oil, oil filter, air filter and spark plugs on this 1.8L engine.

                                                 Oil and filter change

• Tools: 14mm socket and ratchet, 65mm oil filter wrench with 14 flutes, oil catch pan, filling funnel and two car ramps.
• Materials: 4 ¼ qts 5W-20, oil filter (Fram CH10358), gloves, rags, bottle for the used oil.
• Cost of Materials: $16.51 (7/15/2015)
• Time: 45 minutes (allowing 30 minutes for draining)
• Interval: Every 6,000 miles under normal driving conditions. Change more frequently with dusty or stop and go city driving.

1) Warm the engine up to operating temperature.

2) Drive the front end up on ramps

3) Set the parking brake and block a back tire.

4) Position the oil catch pan under the engine oil pan

5) Loosen the 14mm drain plug with a socket and ratchet

Removing the drain plug

6) With a glove on your hand, turn off and remove the drain plug. Have a rag ready to wipe the plug

7) Let the oil drain until it has slowed to a few slow drips.

8) Re-install the drain plug and snug it up. Not too tight, though.

9) Re-position the catch pan under the oil filter. It’s right next to oil pan.

10) Using the filter wrench, turn the filter off in a counter-clockwise direction.

11) Drain as much of the used oil out of the filter as possible. I like to set it upside down on a screen placed over the catch pan.

12) Put a bit of clean oil on the rubber ring of the new filter.

13) Turn the filter on by hand. When it makes contact with the engine turn ¾ turn more.

14) Remove the oil filler cap and add 4 quarts of oil.

15) Run the engine a bit and then after 10 minutes check the level with the dipstick. Add oil as needed.

                                                         Air Filter

• Tools: None
• Materials: Air filter, Fram CA10190
• Cost of materials: $12
• Time: 5 minutes
• Interval: Once a year under normal driving conditions.

1) Unsnap the two metals catches on the air filter cover (located to the right of the engine when facing the hood).

2) Pull the upper cover toward you until it disengages from the lower part of the filter housing.

3) Remove the filter and discard.

4) Seat the new filter in the lower housing. Make sure to follow the direction arrows.

5) Snap the cover back in place.

                                                         Spark plugs

• Tools: 10mm socket and ratchet, 9/16” or 14mm spark plug socket, torque wrench.
• Materials: 4 iridium spark plugs (Autolite XP 5683)
• Cost of materials: $28
• Time: 20-30 minutes

Using this tool set on the spark plugs will make the job easier

1) Remove the plastic cover that is mounting atop the engine. It pulls right out of three ball headed posts.

2) Unplug a coil pack by depressing the latch and pulling.

3) Remove coil packs one at a time with a 10mm socket and ratchet.

4) Use a 9/16” spark plug socket, then a 3 inch extension bar, then a universal adaptor, then a six inch extension bar and then a ratchet to remove the plug.

The universal adapter helps clear the overhead obstructions

5) Check the gap on the new plugs. It should be .043” or 1.1mm.

6) Add a bit of anti-seize or motor oil to the threads and torque to 18-20 ft lbs.

7) Reinstall the coil pack and just snug up the 10mm bolt.

8) Repeat steps 2-7 on the other three plugs.

9) Re-mount the plastic cover
10) Test

                                                      need 4!