Skip to main content
🔧
HowMuchToFixAI for a Greener Future
Tires
easy

2021 Toyota Tacoma Tire Rotation

Complete guide to 2021 Toyota Tacoma tire rotation. Cost estimates, difficulty level, time required, and environmental impact.

💰 Cost:$35 - $75
⏱️ Time:30-45 min
🌍 CO₂ Saved:5999 kg

🌍 Share Your Environmental Impact

Inspire others to repair instead of replace! Share how much CO₂ you're saving.

Share your impact:

💰 Cost Breakdown

Parts$21 - $45
Labor$14 - $30
Total Estimated Cost$35 - $75

💡 Tip: Costs vary by location and repair shop. Authorized service centers typically charge more than independent repair shops.

🔧 Repair Overview

Tire Rotation is one of the most common repairs for 2021 Toyota Tacoma. This repair involves replacing the damaged tires component with a new or refurbished part. The process typically takes 30-45 min and requires easy skill level.

What You'll Need

  • Replacement tires part (OEM or aftermarket)
  • Precision screwdriver set (Phillips #000 or pentalobe)
  • Opening tools (plastic spudger, suction cup)
  • Adhesive strips or glue
  • Clean workspace with good lighting

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Prepare Vehicle for Maintenance

Step 1 - Image 1

If driven recently, allow at least thirty minutes to one hour before draining the engine oil. Immediately after driving, the engine oil in your car can reach temperatures of up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit!

Ensure vehicle is turned off before performing maintenance.

Open the hood of the vehicle by pressing the hood latch located to the left of the steering wheel.

Note: It is recommended to place an oil drip pan underneath the working area to prevent potential oil spills.

Step 2: Remove the Front Air Dam

Step 2 - Image 1
Step 2 - Image 2

Note: Only the TRD Sport trim level contains a front air dam. In case of other trims, omit this step.

The front air dam is located directly under the front bumper and is held in place by eleven, 10mm bolts. The location of the bolts are highlighted in red.

Use a 3/8" drive socket wrench, extension, and 10mm socket to remove all of the bolts from the front air dam.

Detach the front air dam from the front bumper and set it aside.

Step 3: Remove the Skit Plate

Step 3 - Image 1
Step 3 - Image 2

The skid plate, highlighted in red, is located on the underside of the vehicle, directly behind front air dam. It is attached via four, 12mm bolts and two latch tabs at the front end of the plate.

Use a 3/8" drive socket wrench, extension, and 12mm socket to remove the bolts attaching the skid plate to the vehicle.

While supporting the Skid Plate, unhook the Skid Plate from the latch tabs and remove it from underneath the vehicle.

Step 4: Drain Used Oil from Oil Pan

Step 4 - Image 1
Step 4 - Image 2

Caution: When removing the oil drain plug, fluid flow may initiate suddenly. When performing this maintenance step, wear safety glasses.

Before beginning, place an oil drain pan directly beneath the oil pan to safely collect the used motor oil.

Place the oil drain pan underneath the oil pan to catch used motor oil.

Use a 3/8" drive socket wrench and a 14 mm socket to remove the oil drain plug from the oil pan.

Tip: After the oil has begun to flow, remove the oil fill port cap in the engine bay to relieve pressure from the sealed system. This will allow the oil to flow quickly and efficiently.

Wait until all of the used motor oil has drained from the oil pan. This should take roughly 10-15 minutes.

Step 5: Reinstall the Oil Drain Plug

Step 5 - Image 1
Step 5 - Image 2

Once the oil has stopped flowing, use shop towels or rags to clean any residual oil from the oil pan and drain plug.

Then use a 3/8" drive socket wrench and a 14mm socket to reinstall the oil drain plug to the oil pan.

Step 6: Remove the Oil Filter Housing Cap

Step 6 - Image 1
Step 6 - Image 2

The Oil Filter Housing, shown in red, is on the underside of the vehicle.

Place the oil drain pan directly beneath the oil filter housing.

Use a 3/8" drive socket wrench with an extension to remove the oil filter housing cap from the oil filter housing assembly.

Step 7: Drain the Oil Filter Housing

Step 7 - Image 1
Step 7 - Image 2

Caution: Fluid flow from oil filter housing may occur suddenly. When performing this maintenance step, wear safety glasses.

Note: Toyota Filter Element (Part #: 04152-YZZA1) includes the required oil filter drain plug.

Insert the oil filter drain plug into the oil filter housing by hand. This will drain any remaining oil inside the oil filter housing.

Wait for the oil filter housing to completely drain before removing the oil filter drain plug. This may take several minutes.

Step 8: Remove the Oil Filter Housing

Step 8 - Image 1
Step 8 - Image 2

Use a 1/2" drive socket wrench, extension, and a 64mm oil filter wrench to remove the oil filter housing from the vehicle.

Step 9: Remove Used Oil Filter and Packing

Step 9 - Image 1
Step 9 - Image 2

Remove the used filter element from the oil filter housing and inspect the element for particulate matter.

Note: The presence of particulates on the filter element may be indicative of engine damage necessitating professional repair.

Remove the used packing from the oil filter housing.

Caution: Damage to the threads of the oil filter housing could cause significant oil leaks after reattachment.

Use shop towels or rags to wipe any residual oil from the oil filter housing.

Step 10: Install the New Filter and Packing

Step 10 - Image 1
Step 10 - Image 2

Lubricate the new packing with unused motor oil.

Install the new packing and filter element to the oil filter housing.

Step 11: Reinstall the Oil Filter Housing

Step 11 - Image 1
Step 11 - Image 2

Thread the oil filter housing to the vehicle by hand.

Use a 1/2" drive socket wrench, extension, and a 64mm oil filter wrench to fully tighten the oil filter housing.

Step 12: Reinstall the Oil Filter Cap

Step 12 - Image 1
Step 12 - Image 2

Remove the used packing from the oil filter cap.

Lubricate the new packing with unused motor oil and install it onto the oil filter cap.

Thread the oil filter cap onto the oil filter housing by hand.

Use a 3/8" drive socket wrench and extension to fully tighten the oil filter cap onto the oil filter housing.

Step 13: Service Engine with New Motor Oil

Step 13 - Image 1
Step 13 - Image 2

The engine oil fill port is highlighted in red. Remove the engine oil fill port cap.

Insert a funnel into the engine oil fill port.

Service the engine with 6 quarts of 0-20W synthetic motor oil.

Note: The Toyota owner's manual specifies a capacity of 6.2 quarts of 0W-20 synthetic motor oil for this model.

Step 14: Check Oil Level with Engine Dipstick

Step 14 - Image 1
Step 14 - Image 2

The engine dipstick, highlighted in orange, is used to check fluid levels in the engine. Pull the engine dipstick out from the engine dipstick tube and use shop towels or rags to wipe off any residual oil from the dipstick.

To check the oil level, fully reinsert the dipstick into the dipstick tube and then pull it back out. Inspect the dipstick for the presence of oil.

If there is no oil past the second divot on the end of the dipstick, add additional oil to the engine oil fill port and repeat this step from bullet 1 until the fluid level reaches past the second divot on the end of the dipstick.

Step 15: Cycle New Oil through the Engine

Step 15 - Image 1
Step 15 - Image 2

When sufficient oil has been serviced to the engine, remove the funnel and replace the engine oil port cap.

Turn on the vehicle ignition to allow the new oil to circulate throughout the system.

While the engine is running, periodically check underneath the vehicle for leaks. If a leak is present, immediately turn off the vehicle and ensure that the leaking component is installed properly, and repeat this step from bullet 2.

After a few minutes, if no leaks are present, turn the vehicle off and close the hood of the engine bay.

Step 16: Reinstall the Skid Plate

Step 16 - Image 1
Step 16 - Image 2

While supporting the skid plate, secure the skid plate onto the two latch tabs and thread on the four bolts by hand.

Use a 3/8" drive socket wrench, extension, and a 12mm socket to tighten all four bolts to the skid plate.

Step 17: Reinstall the Front Air Dam

Step 17 - Image 1
Step 17 - Image 2

While holding the Front Air Dam in position, thread on all eleven bolts by hand.

Use a 3/8" drive socket wrench, extension, and 10mm socket to tighten all eleven bolts onto the Front Air Dam.

Step 18: Reset the Maintenance Light

Step 18 - Image 1
Step 18 - Image 2

Turn the vehicle on by pressing the ignition button.

Once the vehicle is on, use the left-right, up-down, and enter buttons on the right side of the steering wheel to operate the center-display screen.

Navigate to the settings option on the display screen. Push the enter button on the steering wheel, scroll down to the option that says maintenance reset, and hit yes.

📖 Repair guide provided by iFixit - The free repair manual. Licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0.

iFixit Difficulty: Moderate | Time: NaNh NaNm

DIY vs Professional Repair

✋ DIY Repair

  • ✅ Lower cost (parts only: $21-$45)
  • ✅ Learn new skills
  • ❌ Risk of further damage
  • ❌ No warranty
  • ❌ Requires tools and time

🔧 Professional Repair

  • ✅ Expert installation
  • ✅ Warranty included
  • ✅ Faster turnaround
  • ❌ Higher cost ($35-$75)
  • ❌ Need to find reputable shop

Environmental Impact

By choosing to repair your 2021 Toyota Tacoma instead of replacing it, you're preventing approximately 5999 kg of CO₂ emissions. Manufacturing a new 2021 Toyota Tacoma generates 6000 kg of CO₂, while this repair only produces about 1 kg of CO₂. That's a 100% reduction in carbon emissions!

Get a Personalized Repair Estimate

Upload a photo of your 2021 Toyota Tacoma and get an AI-powered cost estimate in seconds. See exactly what's damaged and how much it'll cost to fix.

Related Repair Guides