i just reached 40,000 miles on my car and i was wanting to start chaging my oil on my own. i know when it gets close to changing your oil your maintenance light comes on. if i change my oil will the light just go off by its self? and i was wanting to know what other filter can i use besides the factory toyota filter? your help if highly appreciated, and please no bashing. really need advise.

 

it won't turn off by itself.. you need to reset the light manually.

instructions on how to do so can be found in your manual... or here:
http://home.cfl.rr.com/icdedppl/faq.html

as far as other filters.... anything but FRAM..

purolator, wix, mobil1, k&n are other brands.. but toyota has good filters.