The 2004 Toyota Corolla boasts excellent safety ratings and is famously reliable. And with its comfortable interior and superb fuel economy, the Corolla is well-suited for extended road trips or quick commutes. But if you want to keep your '04 Corolla in prime condition, you'll need to know its engine oil capacity—3.9 quarts.

Whether you drive a large truck or a small car, like your Corolla, vehicle ownership isn't cheap. From monthly

car insurance

payments to fuel costs and even

routine vehicle maintenance

, the expenses can add up quickly. Choosing to perform your own oil changes is a clever way to save some cash—but don't forget to check your owner's manual for the engine oil capacity first.

Luckily, there's no need to stress if you've lost your owner's manual. We put together this handy guide to help you learn everything you need to know about your 2004 Toyota Corolla engine oil capacity so that you can replace your oil with confidence.

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2004 Toyota Corolla engine oil capacity

The 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine in your 2004 Toyota Corolla holds 3.9 quarts or 3.7 liters of motor oil.

When you're determining your engine's oil capacity and looking at engine size for reference, it's important to remember the difference between the

engine's displacement

—the total 1.8-liter volume of space occupied by your Corolla's cylinders—and its oil capacity, which is the amount of oil the motor is capable of storing.

Engine displacement and oil capacity are not the same things, and you should never use these two phrases interchangeably.

What kind of oil does a 2004 Toyota Corolla take?

After learning your car's oil capacity, the next thing to know is its oil type. Yep, there's a lot more than one kind of motor oil, and you'll need to fill your 2004 Corolla with the correct type.

You'll want to look specifically for SAE 5W-30 oil. That's what your owner's manual recommends using, and following the manufacturer's instructions is always wise. But just what exactly does that code mean? Let's take a look.

The numbers are the most important part of the code and refer to the oil's viscosity or thickness. The first number—for your Corolla, "5"—tells you how thick the oil is when the engine is cold. You can remember the first number because it's next to the "W," which means winter. The last number—here, it's "30"—explains how viscous the oil is when your Corolla's motor is running and hot.

Understanding oil codes is essential for determining an oil's use. You can identify a thinner oil by its small numbers. These oils are designed for use in automotive engines because they move swiftly and efficiently through the motor.

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How frequently should you change the oil on a 2004 Toyota Corolla?

Toyota recommends replacing the oil in your 2004 Corolla every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. If you like to track things in months instead of miles, you should replace your oil every six months.

However, there's more to maintaining your car's oil than replacing it every few thousand miles. You'll also need to inspect its condition and level regularly to ensure your Corolla's engine remains healthy. And it's smart to develop the habit of checking your oil at least once a month.

When you pop the hood to check your Toyota's oil, keep an eye out for these signals that the oil is bad:

The oil is dark brown or black (clean oil is visually very similar to dark honey and is partially transparent)

Muddy, chunky, or sludgy oil

The oil is gritty or grainy

Your Corolla's engine is emitting unpleasant odors, like oil, smoke, or burning

Your Toyota's engine performance suddenly decreases

Your Corolla's motor is making strange or new sounds, like knocking

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How to change your 2004 Toyota Corolla oil and oil filter

Once you've purchased the correct type and amount of replacement oil, you can get started changing it. These are the supplies you'll need:

14-millimeter socket and a ratchet wrench

Something to lift your Corolla off the ground, like ramps or a jack with jack stands

Torque wrench

Oil filter wrench

Clean 5W-30 replacement oil

New oil filter

Drain pan

Funnel

Towel or rag to clean the mess

Before you start draining the oil, start your Corolla and let it run for around five minutes. This step is not mandatory, but it will warm the engine up enough to cause the oil to drain more rapidly. Once the engine is warm, kill the power and get started following the steps below.

Remove your Corolla's oil fill cap and pull up the dipstick (this removes the vacuum, which causes the oil to drain more quickly).

Crawl under your Toyota and remove its oil drain plug. Use the drain pan to collect the dirty oil that spills out.

While the oil drains, remove the dirty oil filter.

Lubricate the new oil filter by applying a thin layer of fresh oil to the gasket before fitting it into place. Remember, don't over-tighten your oil filter—screw it on only until it feels snug.

Reinstall the oil drain bolt, and use the torque wrench to tighten it to 20 lb-ft.

Fill your 2004 Toyota Corolla with clean 5W-30 motor oil.

After completing these steps, start your Corolla again and let it run for 30 seconds. Then,

use your dipstick

to make sure the oil level is within the proper range.

Before wrapping things up, remember to recycle the old oil. To do this, transfer the dirty oil into the new oil bottle and then drop it off at the auto parts store.

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