2003 Toyota Corolla Engine Oil Capacity
A 2003 Toyota Corolla has an engine oil capacity of 4.4 quarts. Find out what else you need to know to complete an oil change at home.
Written by Amber Reed
Reviewed by Jessa Claeys
Changing the oil on a 2003 Toyota Corolla is an important part of keeping it on the road for years to come. To get the job done right, you’ll need to know your Corolla’s engine oil capacity is 4.4 quarts.
Toyota Corollas have been around since the 1960s and have undergone more style changes and facelifts than an aging celebrity. But the Corolla remains a perpetual favorite, and proper maintenance of your 2003 model will make sure it stays that way.
Read on to learn what you need to know about the 2003 Toyota Corolla’s engine oil capacity.
2003 Toyota Corolla engine oil capacity
Different engines have different capacities, so how much oil does a 2003 Toyota Corolla need?
The four-cylinder, 1.8-liter engine in the 2003 Corolla has an oil capacity of 4.4 quarts. Don’t confuse the “1.8-liter” specification for the oil capacity—1.8 refers to the engine’s displacement, or how much volume its four cylinders take up.
Key Takeaway An engine’s displacement isn’t the same thing as its oil capacity.
What type of oil does a 2003 Toyota Corolla need?
Okay, you know you need 4.4 quarts. But what type of oil is recommended?
There are a lot of different kinds of engine oil. It’s crucial to get the right one, as using the wrong kind of oil can cause serious engine damage.
Toyota
recommends that you use Toyota Genuine
motor oil or a premium-grade equivalent. Look for one that has the API and/or SAE certification seal. Now, the 2003 Toyota Corolla’s manual states that you should use 5W-30 engine oil. For best results, stick with the manufacturer’s recommendation. If 5W-30 isn’t available, Toyota specifies that it’s okay to use 10W-30—but you have to switch back to 5W-30 at your next oil change.
What do those letters and numbers mean, anyway? They tell you what the oil’s viscosity (aka thickness) is. The “W” stands for winter, and the number 5 before it tells you that this oil has a low viscosity when the temperature drops below freezing. The 30 tells you that it also stays appropriately thin at high summer temperatures.
Toyota states that 5W-30 oil is the best choice for reducing wear and tear and getting the best gas mileage. There are both conventional and synthetic 5W-30 motor oils. As long as you choose one that’s premium grade and the correct weight, it should be fine!
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
How often should I change the oil on my 2003 Toyota Corolla?
How often does your trusty Corolla need its oil changed? When using conventional oil, Toyota recommends changing your oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles or every six months if you don’t drive a lot.
If you use synthetic oil, though, you can change the oil less frequently. Every 7,500 to 10,000 miles is usually fine.
That being said, every engine is different. And older or high-mileage cars often need more frequent oil changes. If you notice any of the following signs, it’s an indication that you might be due for an oil change.
- Engine oil that looks dark brown or black
- Engine oil that feels gritty or has visible debris in it
- New and unusual noises coming from the engine
- New smells, particularly the smell of oil, smoke, or burning
- Decreased vehicle performance
MORE: Recommended maintenance schedule for a Toyota
Changing your Corolla’s oil and oil filter
Ready to get your grease monkey on? Let’s get started!
To
change the oil
in your Corolla, you’ll need a socket wrench, a filter wrench that works with your oil filter, and a drain pan. It’s recommended that you change your oil filter every time you change your oil, so you’ll need a new oil filter, as well, along with 4.4 quarts of premium 5W-30 engine oil. You’ll also want a few shop rags, unless you’re the wipe-your-hands-on-your-clothes type. No judgment either way.
Fire your Corolla up and let it get to a normal operating temperature. After 5 minutes or so, turn your engine off and open your hood. Here’s what’s next:
- Unscrew the oil cap and place it somewhere safe.
- Carefully get underneath your Corolla’s engine and remove the oil drain bolt and washer. Have the drain pan ready to catch the old oil.
- Take out the old oil filter and let all of the oil drain out.
- Install the new filter.
- Replace the oil drain bolt with a new washer, and tighten it to 29 lb-ft.
- Refill the engine with fresh oil and tightly screw on the oil cap.
Start your Corolla again and let it run for about a minute. This is to allow the oil to get into the engine and soak into the new filter. Since the filter absorbs some oil, you might need to add a bit more after this step. Use your dipstick to see if the oil reservoir needs topping off. If it does, add extra oil slowly, and be careful to not overfill it.
When all is said and done, let your Corolla run for a few minutes and watch closely for any leaks. You can reset the oil light on your dash per the instructions in your owner’s manual, too.
But wait—you’re not quite done! Proper cleanup is vital. You should never dump oil on the ground, into a drain, or just toss it in your trash bin. Place the used oil in a proper container and take it to a recycling center in your area. Ta-da!
"Just for state minimum liability, I was getting quotes from $70 to over $100/month until I foundJerry. Now my car insurance is under $30/month or $140 for 6 months. Thank you, Jerry!” —Frank S.
RECOMMENDED
Thousands of customers saved on average $887/year on their car insurance with Jerry
This app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍
Gabriella R.
Find insurance savings
4.7/5 Rating on App Store
Estimate your repair costs for free with GarageGuard™
Simplify your car maintenance with Jerry.
4.7You might also be interested
We value your privacy
