2009 Toyota Tacoma Engine Oil Capacity
You’ll need your oil capacity to maintain your 2009 Toyota Tacoma—which can be either 4.8, 5.5, or 6.1 quarts.
Written by Claire Beaney
Reviewed by Lisa Steuer McArdle
To keep your 2009 Toyota Tacoma in pristine condition, you should be familiar with the engine oil capacity, which varies from 4.8 to 5.5 to 6.1 quarts.
Changing your car's oil on a regular basis is just one example of preventative
maintenance
that can add years to the vehicle's lifespan. You can save a lot of money by doing this work on your own if you are familiar with the oil capacity and best oil type for your Toyota Tacoma.In this
car repair
article, we will discuss the oil capacity of the 2009 Toyota Tacoma, including how many quarts are required, the proper oil types to use, and all the necessary DIY oil change instructions!Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
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Before you begin your do-it-yourself oil change, you must know the engine oil capacity—the amount of oil required to fill your vehicle's engine.
The engine oil capacity of your 2009 Toyota Tacoma will vary depending on the specific model and engine it has. Here's a basic rundown of the various engine oil capacities, which all include the filter:
- 2.7 L 4-cylinder engine: 6.1 quarts or 5.8 liters
- 4.0 L V6 engine (2WD models except PreRunner): 4.8 quarts or 4.5 liters
- 4.0 L V6 engine (4WD models and PreRunner): 5.5 quarts or 5.2 liters
You can also check the owner's manual for your Tacoma to see how much oil it can hold, but make sure you don't get your engine displacement instead.
Displacement is the amount of air and fuel that gets sucked into a single cylinder. Oil capacity is the amount of oil that is needed to keep the moving parts of an engine from getting stuck. Don't use one quantity in place of the other! If you do, you could underfill your engine and damage it permanently
What kind of oil does a 2009 Toyota Tacoma need?
Now that you know how much oil your 2009 Toyota Tacoma requires, let's talk about oil type! Yep, you can't just use any old oil. For the 2009 Tacoma, Toyota suggests using
SAE 0W-20 full-synthetic oil
. Let’s break that down!Using low-viscosity oils in your Toyota Tacoma is beneficial because they protect the engine from the harsh effects of cold weather and wear and tear. The "W" stands for "winter," and the two numbers in the oil grade represent the oil's viscosity (thickness) at a cold start and normal operating temperatures. Oil viscosity is standardized by the Society of Automotive Engineers or SAE for short.
How often to change the oil on a Toyota Tacoma
Toyota recommends changing the oil in your 2009 Tacoma every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. To keep the oil from turning into sludge, change it every six months, regardless of how frequently or how far you drive.
Always remember to use the dipstick to check the oil level every time you fill up with gas, or at least once a month! And if you're having noticeable problems, it's likely time for an
oil change
. There are a number of red flags that indicate it's time to change the oil in your Toyota Tacoma, including:- Oil is black or dark brown (clean oil looks almost like honey)
- Grittier or coarser texture to the oil
- Strange sounds are coming from the engine
- Odd smells, especially anything that smells burnt or smoky
- Changes in how well your car runs
How to change your oil and oil filter
When you change your oil, you should always replace the oil filter as well. You can do it yourself if you're handy and looking to save money! You will need jacks, a socket wrench, a drain pan, a filter wrench, a new filter, fresh 0W-20 oil, and rags to catch any spills or leaks before you get started.
Warm up the engine by driving it for about five minutes on level ground before starting it. Then, pop the hood and follow these steps:
- Put jack stands under the car to lift it up so you can get to the engine
- Remove the oil drain plug and place the drain pan under it
- Loosen the plug for the drain and then the oil filter
- Pour the old oil into the pan
- Tighten the drain bolt to remove the old filter
- Put a new filter in place of the old one
- Pour some fresh oil into it
- Replace the oil cap
Next, use the dipstick to verify that there is sufficient oil in the engine and that there are no oil leaks.
The last step in an oil change is to get rid of the old oil. Check with your city to see if any local waste or recycling facilities accept used motor oil in a sealed container. Don't just leave it on the street or in the garbage!
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