Depending on the trim options and engine size, your 2010 Toyota Tacoma engine oil capacity will be 4.8, 5.5, or 6.1 quarts. Read on for the complete guide.

Written by John Davis

Reviewed by Melanie Reiff

Updated on Jan 31, 2024

Table of Contents

2010 Toyota Tacoma Engine Oil Capacity
How often should you change the oil on a 2010 Toyota Tacoma?

The 2010 Toyota Tacoma is an excellent mid-sized pickup truck that offers various customization options to suit your lifestyle. However, if you want to ensure your Tacoma stays in top shape, you need to know its engine oil capacity—which, depending on your engine and trim options, is 4.8, 5.5, or 6.1 quarts.

The price of owning a vehicle isn't low. The cost of fuel and

routine maintenance

alone is high, and when you factor in

car insurance

premiums, your expenses can really climb. You can reduce those expenses by changing the oil in your Tacoma at home—but don't forget to look up the oil capacity in your owner's manual first.

If you've misplaced your manual or are looking for a more in-depth and step-by-step guide, we've got you covered. This article will explain everything you need to know about your 2010 Toyota Tacoma engine oil capacity.

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2010 Toyota Tacoma Engine Oil Capacity

Your 2010 Toyota Tacoma's engine oil capacity depends on its engine size, drive type, and trim options.

A 2010 Tacoma with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine has an oil capacity of 6.1 quarts or 5.8 liters. The oil capacity for models with a 4.0-liter V6 motor depends on the drive type and trim options. Two-wheel-drive models—except for those with the PreRunner trim option—have an oil capacity of 4.8 quarts or 4.5 liters, while four-wheel-drive models and PreRunner edition models have an engine oil capacity of 5.5 quarts or 5.2 liters.

As you're determining your engine size and oil capacity, it's important to remember the distinction between your

engine's displacement

—the 2.4 or 4.0-liters of volume inhabited by the engine's cylinders—and its oil capacity, which refers to the amount of oil the motor holds for lubrication.

Your Tacoma's oil capacity and engine displacement are completely different things, and you should never use these terms interchangeably.

What kind of oil does a 2010 Toyota Tacoma take?

After identifying your oil capacity, you need to

determine what type of oil

your Tacoma needs. Yes, not all engine oil is the same, and your 2010 Tacoma needs a particular type for the engine to run smoothly.

If you drive a Tacoma with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, look for Toyota Genuine SAE 5W-20. You can also use 0W-20. However, Toyota recommends using 5W-20 for increased fuel efficiency and better cold weather starts.

If you drive a 4.0-liter six-cylinder model, you'll want to go with Toyota Genuine SAE 5W-30. Your owner's manual states that you can use 10W-30 if 5W-30 is unavailable. However, if you use 10W-30, you'll need to be sure to replace it with 5W-30 during your next oil change.

If you need more clarification on those SAE codes, don't worry. We'll explain what each letter and number means and why the codes are important.

The first number in the code defines the oil's thickness when the engine is cold. You can remember the first number because it sits beside the "W," which stands for winter. The final number tells us how thick the oil is when the motor is hot.

Engine oil codes are important because each variety of oil is intended for a specific purpose. Thinner oils—which you can identify by their smaller numbers—are ideal for car engines because they can move through the motor smoothly and efficiently.

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How often should you change the oil on a 2010 Toyota Tacoma?

You should replace the oil in your 2010 Tacoma every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, according to Toyota’s recommendation. If you'd rather not track your intervals between oil changes in miles, you should remember to replace the oil in your truck every six months.

But you can't ignore your engine oil in between changes. We recommend inspecting your oil's level and condition every other time you're at the gas station filling up. But no matter what, you should check the oil in your Tacoma at least once a month.

When you open the hood and examine your dipstick, keep an eye out for these signs that the oil needs to be replaced:

The oil's color is black or dark brown (fresh oil is similar in color to dark honey and is slightly transparent)

Your oil feels muddy, chunky, or sludgy

It is gritty or grainy in texture

Foul smells, like oil, smoke, or burning, are coming from the engine bay

Your truck's engine performance suddenly plummets

Your Tacoma's engine is making unusual or new sounds, like knocking

MORE: Recommended maintenance schedule for a Toyota

How to change your 2010 Toyota Tacoma oil and oil filter

If you've already purchased the proper type and amount of engine oil, you're ready to get started changing it. You'll need these supplies and tools:

A 14-millimeter socket and a ratchet wrench

Something to lift the vehicle off the ground, like a jack and jack stands or a ramp

A torque wrench

An oil filter wrench

Fresh replacement oil

A new oil filter

A drain pan

A funnel

A towel or rag for the mess

Before you slide under your Tacoma, start it up and let it idle for about five minutes. This step is optional, but it will cause your engine to warm up, allowing the oil to drain much more efficiently. Once the engine is warm, turn off your truck and start working on the steps below.

Take off the oil fill cap and pull up the dipstick (this causes the oil to drain more quickly by removing the vacuum).

Slide under your Tacoma and remove the oil drain plug. Use the drain pan to catch the used oil as it drains out.

As the old oil drains, unscrew and remove the used oil filter.

Lubricate the new oil filter by putting a thin layer of clean oil on the gasket before screwing it into place. Don't over-tighten the oil filter—tighten it only until it feels secure.

Reinstall the oil drain bolt before using your torque wrench to tighten it to 32 lb-ft.

Fill your Tacoma with the proper type of clean oil.

Following these steps, fire up the engine once more and let it run for 30 seconds. Then, turn it off and

check the oil level with your dipstick

, topping it off if necessary.

When you're finished, don't forget to recycle the dirty oil. To do this, transfer the old oil to the new oil container and then return it to the auto parts store or an authorized recycling center.

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