2008 Toyota Highlander Engine Oil Capacity
The 2008 Toyota Highlander has an oil capacity of 6.4 quarts. Learn the type of oil Toyota recommends, plus find important oil change tips!
Written by Amber Reed
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
To perform an oil change on a 2008 Toyota Highlander, you’ll need 6.4 quarts of ILSAC multigrade engine oil.
Whether you’re training to become a professional mechanic or just enjoy tinkering with cars, learning how to do an at-home oil change is a great way to keep up with your vehicle’s
routine maintenance
while saving money on labor charges. Not to mention that it could save you from costly car repairs
in the future! To complete an oil change on a 2008 Toyota Highlander without damaging your car, you need to know some basic information, like your engine oil capacity and the correct type of motor oil to use.
2008 Toyota Highlander engine oil capacity
The first thing you need to think about before performing an
oil change
is your Highlander’s engine oil capacity of 6.4 quarts. Because every 2008 Toyota Highlander was fitted with the same 3.6-liter V6 engine, your oil capacity will be 6.4 quarts whether you own a base model Highlander
or a fully-loaded Limited
. It’s important to understand that your engine oil capacity of 6.4 quarts is different from your engine displacement. The latter term simply refers to the 3.6-liter volume that your Highlander’s engine cylinders take up. It has nothing to do with the amount of motor oil your car needs.
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversWhat kind of oil does a 2008 Toyota Highlander need?
To perform an oil change on a Highlander that isn’t equipped with a towing package, the 2008 Toyota Highlander
owner’s manual
recommends using ILSAC multigrade engine oil with a viscosity of 5W-20. If you do have towing equipment on your vehicle, you can still use ILSAC multigrade engine oil, but look for a 5W-30 viscosity instead.There are scientific reasons why these specific viscosities are important, but all you really need to know is that by using the correct oil, you can optimize your fuel economy and improve your vehicle’s performance in a variety of weather conditions. On the other hand, choosing the wrong motor oil can sometimes lead to serious problems like overheating, transmission damage, or even engine failure.
Not sure which brand of engine oil to buy? You can’t go wrong with the manufacturer’s recommendation of Toyota Genuine Motor Oil.
How often to change oil on a 2008 Toyota Highlander
Now that you know your Highlander’s engine oil type and capacity, you can begin thinking about when you need to perform your next oil change. In general, experts suggest doing an oil change after every 3,000 to 5,000 miles of driving—but if you opt for a fully-synthetic or synthetic-blend motor oil, then you could extend the time between oil changes to every 7,500 to 10,000 miles.
However, if you put less than 7,500 miles a year on your car, then it’s a good idea to perform an oil change about once every six months instead of following mileage guidelines.
Still not sure if your car needs an oil change? Look for these signs that indicate your oil is dirty or old.
- Dark oil. Oil that looks black or dark brown is dirty and needs to be changed. Clean oil should be light brown or amber in color.
- Thick, slimy, or gritty oil. Oil that looks more like a sludge than a liquid is old or dirty and needs to be changed.
- Your engine smells like smoke. A burning smell while driving your car could mean that old oil is no longer keeping your engine at the appropriate temperature, and should be swapped out for fresh oil.
- Strange noises or changes to how your car drives. These issues can be triggered by many types of car problems, but sometimes old or dirty oil is the cause.
How to change your oil and oil filter
If you’re brand new to car maintenance, it’s always a good idea to learn from a professional or take a class before attempting an oil change by yourself. But if that isn’t an option for you, you can get started by reading tutorials or watching video guides online.
Once you feel like you have a good understanding of how to do an oil change at home, you’re ready to give it a try! First, make sure you have all your supplies, including a new filter and bottle of motor oil, a wrench that fits your drain plug, a drip pan, a floor jack and stands, and some rags to clean up spills. Arrange them in an easy-to-reach area, and double check that your workspace is clean and level.
Next, let your engine run for a few minutes. Once it reaches a normal operating temperature, turn it off again, use your floor jack and jack stands to raise your vehicle, and follow these steps:
- Remove the oil fill cap
- Position yourself under your car, and unscrew the oil drain bolt and washer
- Drain the old oil into your drip pan
- Detach the old oil filter and replace it with the new one
- Screw the oil drain bolt back on with a new washer, and tighten it
- Refill the engine with 6.4 quarts of ILSAC multigrade engine oil
- Fill the new filter with oil by turning on the engine and letting it run for a minute
- Use a dipstick to check your oil level, and add more oil if needed
- Replace the oil fill cap
To make sure you’ve done everything correctly, turn on your 2008 Highlander and let the engine run for a few minutes. As long as you don’t see any leaks and your
oil pressure light
is off, you can resume driving your car until it’s time for your next oil change!Pro Tip: Never throw dirty oil in with your household trash or dump it out onto the ground. Instead, look for an auto parts shop that participates in an oil recycling program, and bring your discarded oil there in a tightly sealed container.
Are you overpaying for your car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
4.717k Ratings5M+Drivers Joined
7M+Cars Garaged
"Jerryfound me useful quotes immediately, so I switched over my insurance in under an hour! I’m now helping my parents use Jerry because they just bought a new car.” —Brindi J.
Estimate your repair costs for free with GarageGuard™
Simplify your car maintenance with Jerry.
4.7
We value your privacy
