The 2008 Toyota Sienna has an engine oil capacity of about 6.4 quarts (6.1 liters). Knowing your vehicle’s engine oil capacity is especially important if you plan to take care of your engine oil change yourself.

If you want your 2008 Toyota Sienna to stick around for the long haul, one of the most important things you can do to maximize its lifespan is to keep up with

routine maintenance

, like oil changes. Some drivers opt to do this themselves to save extra time and money—but to do this job right, you’ll need to know your engine’s oil capacity and required oil type.

Here’s what to know about your 2008 Toyota Sienna’s engine oil requirements.

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2008 Toyota Sienna engine oil capacity

The 2008 Toyota Sienna has an engine oil capacity of about 6.4 quarts (6.1 liters). When adding engine oil, you’ll need to use your dipstick to confirm your oil levels are right where they should be.

If you’re taking care of an oil change yourself, you need to know your engine’s oil capacity. Too little oil will leave essential engine components under-lubricated, which can lead to significant damage and reduce how long your engine is able to last.

Too much engine oil is a problem, too. When engine oil levels are too high, the movement of parts like the crankshaft will give the engine oil a frothier consistency—which is great for lattes, but horrible for engine oil circulation and lubrication.

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What kind of oil does a 2008 Toyota Sienna need?

The 2008 Toyota Sienna requires 5W-30 engine oil. This is your motor oil’s viscosity grade, which gives you information about the oil’s consistency at different temperatures. The smaller the number, the thinner the oil.

The “W” in an oil viscosity grade stands for “winter,” and the “5” next to it tells you your oil’s viscosity in freezing temperatures, which is particularly helpful to know if you need to start your engine during cold winter weather. The “30” tells you its viscosity once it reaches normal engine operating temperatures.

Synthetic oil is typically the ideal choice for engine health since it performs better than conventional oil.

What’s most important when you select an engine oil is that it’s the correct viscosity and it has an API certification seal on its container, which indicates it’s met the necessary quality standards.

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How often to change the oil on a 2008 Toyota Sienna

The 2008 Toyota Sienna’s scheduled maintenance guide generally recommends

changing your oil

every 5,000 miles, or every six months—whichever comes first.

That said, your typical driving conditions and the type of motor oil you’re using can also affect how often you’ll need an oil change. You can typically drive for longer periods using synthetic oil, but exactly how long might depend on its specifications.

Additionally, if you frequently drive in more challenging conditions, like up steep mountain inclines or on dusty roads, or if you’ve been using your Sienna to tow heavier loads, you might need to change your engine oil sooner than you’d need to under normal driving conditions.

This is why it’s important to periodically check your engine oil with your dipstick to make sure it’s still at the proper level and in good condition. Experts commonly recommend doing so monthly or at every other refuel.

If your 2008 Toyota Sienna is past due for an oil change, you might notice some of the following symptoms:

Engine oil has turned dark brown or black (rather than light brown), indicating debris buildup

Engine oil has a

gritty texture

Strange new engine noises, which could indicate a lack of lubrication

Declining gas mileage

and performance

Burning or oil odors coming from your engine

Indicator lights, like your

check engine light

, low oil pressure light, or other related lights, turn on

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How to change your oil and oil filter

When you decide your 2008 Toyota Sienna is ready for an oil change, the first thing you’ll need to do is gather your necessary supplies. These might include a socket wrench, an oil filter wrench, a funnel, a drain pan, a new oil filter, gloves, and most importantly, 6.4 quarts of fresh 5W-30 engine oil.

Once you have everything you need, you can get started by running your engine for a few minutes. This will allow the engine oil to warm up, which will help it drain from the engine faster.

After shutting off your engine, here are the general steps that follow in an oil change:

Prop open the hood to remove the oil fill cap

Underneath the vehicle, remove the old oil drain bolt and allow the oil to empty into the drain pan

As the oil continues draining, remove the old oil filter and replace it with the new filter, following package instructions

When the oil finishes draining, you can replace the oil drain bolt using a new washer to the specified tightening torque

Add new oil to the proper fill level, then replace the oil fill cap

That’s essentially all there is to it! From here, you can check around for any leaks and run your engine for a few minutes to let the oil circulate and make sure all is in working order. After you turn off the engine and allow it to cool, you can use the dipstick to check your oil level one last time and top it off to the proper level again if necessary.

Finally, remember to recycle your used oil! You can’t just dump it anywhere because it’s a hazardous material. Instead, store it in a sealed container and bring it to a designated recycling facility that accepts it. Some auto shops and dealership service centers will accept used motor oil as well.

MORE: Recommended maintenance schedule for a Toyota

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