The 2000 Toyota Celica GTS was introduced as Toyota’s sports car model that you didn’t have to break the bank to obtain. As denoted in the Grand Touring Sport name, this coupe packs a punch underneath its iconic hood—but if you want to keep your 2000 Celica GTS running at peak performance, you need to understand its engine oil capacity.

It may sound intimidating at first, but learning how to change your own oil can save you considerable time and money by avoiding a recurring trip to the mechanic. If you’re not afraid to get your hands dirty, locate your owner’s manual to learn how much oil you’ll need.

We know what you’re thinking—owner’s manual? Who has time for that? Thankfully,

Jerry

, the

car insurance

comparison super app, has done all the research for you and has everything you need to know about changing your 2000 Celica's oil. We'll also tell you how to save on your

Toyota Celica GTS insurance costs

Jerry sends free alerts to keep your car up-to-date so you can avoid costly repairs

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

Get ahead of my car maintenance

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

2000 Toyota Celica engine oil capacity

Before you start rolling up your sleeves, let’s go over exactly how much oil your 2000 Celica GTS requires.

The Celica comes equipped with a 1.8-liter V4 engine, with an oil capacity of 4.8 quarts, which equates to 4.4 liters. The 1.8-liter part refers to the

engine displacement

and cannot be mistaken for its oil capacity—let’s break down the difference.

Displacement is the total volume of air and fuel that gets swept into each cylinder of the engine, while oil capacity is the amount of oil the engine needs to keep its parts lubricated and cool. Understanding the purpose of these numbers can prevent you from under-filling your engine.

What kind of oil does a 2000 Toyota Celica need?

With so many different types of vehicles on the road, there are going to be bountiful options when you shop for your specific oil type. Don’t let all the choices overwhelm you because we have the oil you should be looking for: SAE 5W-30 Full-Synthetic motor oil. This is the oil type Toyota recommends, and the manufacturer knows best.

If that oil type looks like a foreign language to you, just know the “W” stands for winter and the 5 in front of it grades it as a thin blend, even under cold conditions. The 30 following the “W” is the level of the oil’s viscosity (thickness) when the engine is at operating temperature. Lastly, full-synthetic means the oil is not purely crude, but rather a chemically altered blend.

If you want to use authentic Toyota oil, look for the

Toyota Genuine SAE 5W-30 Full-Synthetic

blend. If you are unable to find 5W-30, you can use 10W-30 until your next oil change, according to the owner's manual.

MORE:

Car loan for Toyota 2022

How often to change oil on a 2000 Toyota Celica GTS

Now that we have a better understanding of oil capacity and oil type, it’s time to get ready to

change that oil

Toyota advises changing the oil on a 2000 Celica GTS every 7,500 to 10,000 miles due to the extra protection offered by synthetic oil.

If you don't drive often

or keep your mileage to a minimum, you should still change your oil every six months to prevent it from turning into sludge.

Routine oil changes will preserve the life of your engine, so regularly monitor your oil levels and keep a record of when your last oil change was. You should also be on the lookout for these signs that an oil change is needed sooner than you anticipated:

The oil has become dark brown or black

The oil feels gritty or rough

Your engine is making strange sounds

You smell smoke or burning odors

You notice changes in your car’s performance

MORE:

Does car insurance cover engine failure?

How to change your oil and oil filter

Before you dive under the car, make sure you have all the necessary materials: jacks, socket wrench, drain pan, filter wrench, fresh filter, and a rag. And last but not least, a five-quart bottle of 5W-30 Full Synthetic motor oil.

Once you’ve gathered everything, follow these steps to change your Celica’s oil:

Jack your car up so you can easily access underneath it

Find the oil drain plug and position your drain pan beneath it

Remove the oil drain plug, allowing the oil to flow out into the pan

Unscrew the oil filter with the filter wrench, and let the excess oil drain out of it

Use the rag to clean the filter mounting surface and install your new filter

Tighten the oil drain plug back into place

Pop the hood, and pour the new oil into the engine

And that's all there is to it—give yourself a hand! After the oil has settled, it’s a good idea to confirm it is at the proper level with your dipstick, and confirm that your

oil pressure dashboard light

is not on. After that checks out, let your engine run for a few minutes to make sure there are no leaks.

After changing your oil, it’s a good idea to turn on your car and let your engine run for about 30 seconds before you check the oil level. This will give you a more accurate measurement, and you’ll be able to top it off if necessary.

When it’s time to clean up, avoid dumping the old oil onto the ground or into a garbage bin—it’s contaminated and unsafe. Instead, pour it into a sealable container and bring it to a recycling center so they can properly dispose of it.

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Routine oil changes and

car maintenance

are essential to extending the life of your car and keeping it protected. Another way to protect your car is by insuring it with an affordable insurance policy using the

Jerry

app!

Jerry is the

trustworthy licensed broker app

that works to find you savings on your

Toyota insurance costs

in less than one minute by comparing and analyzing policies from the most popular providers. Jerry will even automatically start shopping around as you approach renewal and can help cancel your current policy.

Jerry customers save an average of $880+ per year on insurance!

“I just had to buy a new car, and I needed quick help to get insurance before I could get my plates. Because I work so many hours,
Jerry
was the ideal choice for getting things done without long phone calls and waiting periods.” —Rosa G.