How Much Oil Does a Toyota Tacoma Take?

⚡ The Quick Answer

6.1 to 6.2 quarts for the V6, 5.5 quarts for the four-cylinder. How much oil a Toyota Tacoma takes comes down to engine, not trim. The 3.5L V6 (2016 and newer) and the older 4.0L V6 both hold roughly 6.1 to 6.2 quarts with a filter change. The 2.7L four-cylinder holds about 5.5 quarts. Buy seven quarts so you are never a half-quart short.

The capacity figure is "with filter," which is what matters for a normal oil change. The dry-fill number (an empty engine after a rebuild) is slightly higher but does not apply when you are just draining and refilling. Always double-check your owner's manual, because Toyota occasionally revises the spec mid-generation.

📊 Oil Capacity by Engine and Year

This is the data most people are actually searching for. Match your engine, not just the badge on the tailgate, because the Tacoma has used three different engines across its run.

Engine	Years	Capacity (w/ filter)	Viscosity
3.5L V6 (2GR-FKS)	2016-present	6.1 qt (5.8 L)	0W-20
4.0L V6 (1GR-FE)	2005-2015	6.2 qt (5.9 L)	5W-30
2.7L I4 (2TR-FE)	2005-2023	5.5 qt (5.2 L)	5W-30 / 0W-20*
2.4L Turbo I4 (T24A)	2024-present	5.8 qt (5.5 L)	0W-16 / 0W-20

*Earlier 2.7L engines spec 5W-30. Newer ones moved to 0W-20. The 2024-plus turbo four prefers 0W-16 for fuel economy with 0W-20 allowed. Verify your exact build before buying oil.

油;🛡 What Oil and Filter to Use

For any 2016-or-newer Tacoma with the 3.5L V6, Toyota specifies full synthetic 0W-20 meeting the API SP / ILSAC GF-6 standard. That grade is part of why the truck gets its rated fuel economy, so do not substitute a heavier oil just because it is on sale.

Filter part numbers

Cartridge filter (3.5L V6, newer 2.7L): Toyota OEM 04152-YZZA1. Aftermarket cross-references include Fram CH11955 and Mobil 1 M1C-251A.
Spin-on filter (older 4.0L V6, some 2.7L): Toyota 90915-YZZD3 or 90915-YZZF2.

The cartridge filter sits in a plastic housing under the engine and uses a paper element plus a fresh O-ring that comes in the box. Replace the O-ring every time, or you will get a slow leak. If you spot oil pooling after a change, our guide on an oil leak after an oil change walks through the usual culprits.

⚠️ Common Mistakes People Make

Overfilling past 6.2 quarts. The V6 takes about 6.1, not 7. Dumping in a full seven quarts overfills the crankcase, which can foam the oil and stress seals. Pour six, run it, then top to the dipstick mark.
Using 5W-30 in a 0W-20 truck. On the 3.5L V6, 0W-20 is the spec. Running a thicker oil long-term can shave fuel economy and is not what Toyota validated. 5W-20 or 5W-30 is acceptable only as a one-time substitute if 0W-20 is unavailable.
Forgetting the cartridge O-ring. Reusing the old O-ring on the filter housing is the number-one cause of post-change leaks on the V6.
Ignoring severe-service intervals. If you tow, do short hops, or drive dusty trails, 10,000 miles is too long. Cut it to 5,000.

🔧 How to Confirm Your Exact Spec

Find your engine. Open the hood or check the door-jamb sticker and VIN. The 8th VIN character encodes the engine family.
Open the owner's manual. The "Maintenance data" section lists oil capacity and grade for your exact build. This overrides any chart, including ours.
Buy seven quarts. You will use 6.1 to 6.2 on a V6 and keep the rest for top-offs. A 5-quart jug plus a couple of single quarts covers it.
Match the filter. Confirm cartridge versus spin-on before you are under the truck, since the procedures differ.
Reset the maintenance light. After the change, reset the reminder so your next interval is tracked correctly.

If your truck is also throwing a code or burning oil faster than expected, that is a different problem. Excessive consumption can point to a PCV issue or worn rings. See our breakdown of why a car burns oil and the related P0011 camshaft timing code that sometimes shows up alongside oil-related symptoms.

💰 Oil Change Cost: DIY vs Shop

Because the Tacoma takes a touch over six quarts of full synthetic, parts add up a little more than a four-cylinder economy car. Here is the realistic range.

Option	Typical Cost	What You Get
DIY	$35-$55	7 qt 0W-20 synthetic + OEM cartridge filter
Quick-lube	$70-$95	Synthetic + filter + labor, fast turnaround
Dealer	$90-$120	OEM parts, inspection, light reset

If a shop quotes you well above this range, it is worth a sanity check. Run the number through our repair quote checker before you say yes.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How much oil does a Toyota Tacoma take?

Most Toyota Tacomas take between 6.1 and 6.2 quarts of oil with a filter change. The 3.5L V6 (2016 and newer) and the older 4.0L V6 both hold about 6.1 to 6.2 quarts. The 2.7L four-cylinder holds about 5.5 quarts. Always confirm against your owner's manual since trim and model year can shift the figure.

What kind of oil does a Toyota Tacoma use?

Tacomas from 2016 onward with the 3.5L V6 use full synthetic 0W-20. Older models with the 4.0L V6 (2005 to 2015) typically use 5W-30. The 2.7L four-cylinder uses 0W-20 in newer trucks and 5W-30 in older ones. Toyota recommends a synthetic or synthetic-blend oil meeting the API SP or ILSAC GF-6 standard.

What oil filter does a Toyota Tacoma use?

Most modern Tacomas use the Toyota cartridge-style filter, OEM part 04152-YZZA1, with a 90915-YZZD3 spin-on equivalent on some engines. The 3.5L V6 uses the cartridge filter housed under the engine. Common aftermarket cross-references include Fram CH11955 and Mobil 1 M1C-251A for the cartridge style.

Can I use 5W-30 instead of 0W-20 in my Tacoma?

If your Tacoma specifies 0W-20, stick with 0W-20 for warranty and fuel-economy reasons. Toyota lists 0W-20 as the preferred grade for the 3.5L V6 but allows 5W-20 or 5W-30 as a temporary substitute if 0W-20 is unavailable. Switch back to 0W-20 at the next oil change. Never run a thinner-than-spec oil.

How often should I change the oil in a Toyota Tacoma?

With full synthetic 0W-20, Toyota's recommended interval is every 10,000 miles or 12 months for normal driving. Under severe conditions (towing, short trips, dusty roads, extreme cold or heat), drop to 5,000 miles. The maintenance reminder light is set to 10,000 miles by default on newer trucks.

How much does an oil change cost for a Toyota Tacoma?

A DIY oil change with full synthetic 0W-20 and an OEM filter runs about $35 to $55 in parts. A shop or dealer oil change typically costs $70 to $120 depending on region and whether you use synthetic. The 6.1 to 6.2 quart capacity means you usually need two 5-quart jugs or seven quarts on hand.

📝 TL;DR

V6 capacity: 6.1 to 6.2 quarts with filter.
Four-cylinder: about 5.5 quarts.
Viscosity: 0W-20 full synthetic on 2016-plus V6; 5W-30 on the older 4.0L.
Filter: cartridge 04152-YZZA1 on the modern V6; always replace the O-ring.
Interval: 10,000 miles normal, 5,000 miles severe service.