2011 Toyota Highlander Oil Capacity Guide
Knowing the oil capacity of your 2011 Toyota Highlander is essential to changing its oil.
Written by Emily Maracle
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
The Toyota Highlander is an affordable midsize SUV that delivers on safety and reliability. But, you’ll need to know its oil capacity if you want to ensure its safety and reliability don’t decline with age.
While there are a lot of extra costs associated with owning a car, there are ways to save. By performing easy car maintenance tasks, like changing your oil, you can easily save at least $100 every year. But to successfully change your oil, you’ll need to know your 2011 Toyota Highlander’s oil capacity.
To keep your Highlander on the road for years to come,
licensed broker
and car insurance
super app, Jerry
, has all you need to know about your 2011 Toyota Highlander’s oil capacity, including what it is, the best oil to use, and how to change it. We’ll also throw in a couple tips on how you can save on your Toyota Highlander car insurance
policy!Jerry sends free alerts to keep your car up-to-date so you can avoid costly repairs
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
Get ahead of my car maintenance
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
2011 Toyota Highlander oil capacity
While it’s tempting to pop open the hood and dive right in, you’ll first want to review your owner’s manual. Even if you haven’t looked at it in 11 years, it has a lot of useful information, including your Highlander’s oil capacity and the recommended type of oil. But, don’t fret if you can’t find it! We’ll go over everything you need to know about oil capacity.
Your 2011 Toyota Highlander’s oil capacity depends on the size of your engine.
- For a 2.5 L 4-cylinder engine, your engine oil capacity is 4.6 qt or 4.4 L
- For a 3.5 L V6, your engine oil capacity is 6.4 qt or 6.1 L
While your engine size is also measured in liters, don’t confuse these numbers! Your oil capacity is the amount of oil needed when changing your engine’s oil. Your engine’s liter size is engine displacement or the volume your engine takes up.
What kind of oil does a 2011 Toyota Highlander need?
Now that you know how much oil you need, the next step is what kind. Since your Toyota requires a specific type of oil depending on the engine size, resist the urge to grab whatever bottle is closest to you.
For either engine, Toyota recommends their 5W-20 Toyota Genuine Motor Oil. But, if that’s not available, they recommend SAE 0W-20. For a 2.5 L engine, both SAE 0W-20 and 5W-20 are acceptable option, but the owner's manual states that 0W-20 is best for good fuel economy and cold weather.
If you’re lost on what these numbers mean, let’s break it down.
When looking at oil types, it’s describing the oil’s viscosity or how thick the oil is. A lower number before the W indicates it’s easier to start your engine in cold weather as the oil is thinner. The 20 refers to the viscosity at engine operating temperatures—typically 212ºF.
Jerry sends free alerts to keep your car up-to-date so you can avoid costly repairs
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
Get ahead of my car maintenance
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
How often to change oil on a 2011 Toyota Highlander
But, before you pop the hood, you’ll need to make sure it’s actually time to change your oil. All cars have a set maintenance schedule to optimize their performance. Ideally, Toyota recommends changing your oil every 5,000 miles or six months. But if you’re using a full synthetic 0W-20 oil, you can stretch it to every 10,000 miles or 12 months.
That said, you’ll still want to regularly check your oil to ensure it doesn’t need to be changed sooner. Here’s what to look for:
- Color change: Clean oil is amber-colored; dirty oil is dark brown or black
- Gritty texture: Dirty oil will have a gritty or coarse texture
- Unfamiliar smells: Any new smells, like oil, burning, or smoke, can indicate it’s time for a change
MORE:
How to test an oil pump
How to change your oil and oil filter
After confirming it’s time for a change, you can get started. To change your oil, you’ll need several tools, including a socket wrench, drain pan, a filter wrench to remove the old filter, a replacement filter, and at least five to seven quarts of 0W-20 (or 5W-20) synthetic oil.
Once you have your supplies, warm up your engine for about five minutes. It could take ten to fifteen minutes in colder weather. When your engine is warm, turn off your Highlander,
open the hood
, and get to work!- Locate the drain plug underneath your car
- Place your drain pan under the plug
- Open the plug with your wrench, allowing the old oil to drain
- Remove the oil fill cap at the top of your engine
- Replace the oil drain plug
- Add new engine oil and replace the oil fill cap
After changing your oil, it’s a good idea to turn on your car and let your engine run for about 30 seconds before you check the oil level. This will give you a more accurate measurement, and you’ll be able to top it off if necessary.
While we’ve given you the exact amount of oil you need, be sure to double-check your oil levels before finishing up. You can use the dipstick to ensure you’ve completely filled the engine. Then, turn on your Highlander and double-check for leaks.
If you’re leak-free, it’s time for clean-up. Whatever you do, do not throw your old oil away or dump it on the ground. Oil is hazardous, so you’ll need to properly dispose of it at a recycling center, auto parts store, or auto repair shop.
Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance
If you keep up to date with your oil changes and regularly scheduled maintenance, your 2011 Toyota Highlander shouldn’t cause you many problems. If you’re looking for other ways to simplify your life, consider using the
Jerry
app. Once you download Jerry, just answer a handful of questions that will take you roughly 45 seconds to complete, and you’ll immediately get
car insurance
quotes for coverage similar to your current plan. Jerry customers save an average of $800+ a year.“Jerrysaved me so much time and money! I went from $230 to $150, still with full coverage! The whole process was amazingly simple!” —Ronda S.
RECOMMENDED
Thousands of customers saved on average $887/year on their car insurance with Jerry
This app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍
Gabriella R.
Find insurance savings
4.7/5 Rating on App Store
Estimate your repair costs for free with GarageGuard™
Simplify your car maintenance with Jerry.
4.7
We value your privacy
