is a sporty and reliable midsize sedan with excellent fuel efficiency, great safety ratings, a comfortable interior, and is surprisingly enjoyable to drive. Keep your Camry in top shape by getting familiar with its oil capacity.

Being a vehicle owner comes with many ongoing maintenance expenses, such as keeping up with oil changes on a regular basis. But, if you own a Toyota Camry, you can change your oil at home! All you need to know is your vehicle’s oil capacity and recommended oil type to do this job from the comfort of your driveway.

If you’d like to get familiar with how to do this job at home, look no further than this comprehensive guide on the 2012 Toyota Camry’s oil capacity, brought to you by

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shopping. Keep reading for all the information you need to easily change your Camry’s oil at home.

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2012 Toyota Camry engine oil capacity

First things first—how much oil does a Toyota Camry engine require? The 2012 Toyota Camry’s engine requires 4.7 quarts of oil, or roughly 4.4 liters for its 2.5L engine.

Make sure you don’t mix up your engine’s displacement—the 2.5-liter volume of its engine cylinders— with its oil capacity, which describes how much oil is needed each time you get an oil change. Engine displacement is not equivalent to oil capacity, so always keep these numbers separate.

What kind of oil does a 2012 Toyota Camry need?

After figuring out how much oil your Camry needs, the next important question to ask is what kind of oil your car requires. Every car has different oil requirements based on its make and model, so don’t just reach for the first jug of oil you see!

For your Toyota Camry, look for 0W-20 full-synthetic oil. That’s what Toyota recommends, and it's crucial to follow your manufacturer’s recommendations to make sure your engine functions properly.

Those letters and numbers can look confusing, so let’s break it down. The numbers in the oil grade refer to the oil’s viscosity—i.e. how thick it is—while the “W” stands for winter. The number 0 right before the W tells us that this oil has a low viscosity and flows smoothly through your car at low outside temperatures. The 20 means that it also becomes thin at a piping hot 212°F when your engine is running.

Essentially, this oil is great in cold temperatures, and its low viscosity is easier on your engine, resulting in less wear and tear.

Full-synthetic means the oil is made entirely of artificial chemical compounds. Synthetic oils withstand high engine temperatures better and break down slower than conventional oil, which means they’re often a better choice for engine performance.

To follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter, use

Toyota Genuine SAE 0W-20 Full-Synthetic motor oil

. It is also safe to use 5W-20 engine oil, but it must be replaced at your next oil change with the correct motor oil.

MORE:

How to test an oil pump

How often to change oil on a 2012 Toyota Camry

Now that you understand how much oil your Camry needs and what type of oil to fill it with, you’re ready to

change your oil

Before you jump to it, you should make sure it’s actually time to change your oil. Because your Toyota Camry uses full synthetic oil, you can wait to change your oil every 10,000 miles or 12 months—whichever comes first.

However, depending on your driving habits, you may need to change your oil before this time period elapses. Stay on top of your oil levels by checking your oil once a month or every other time you fill your tank. Keep an eye out for these signs that you need an oil change:

Motor oil that needs changing is dark brown or black (Clean oil is light brown or amber, like a cup of tea. Dirty oil is like a cup of soda.)

Motor oil feels coarse or gritty

Unfamiliar noises

coming from the engine

New smells, especially anything that smells like oil, smoke, or burning

Changes in your vehicle’s performance

MORE:

Toyota lug pattern guide

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How to change your oil and oil filter

Once the necessary time or miles have elapsed or your oil is showing signs that it needs to be changed, it’s time to gather your tools and materials. Here’s what you’ll need:

Funnel

Rags

Oil filter

Oil collection pan

4.7 quarts of 0W-20 full-synthetic oil

Before changing the oil, let your car’s engine run for about 5 minutes or until it reaches its normal operating temperature. Then, turn your car off, pop the hood, and follow these steps:

Place the oil collection pan under your car. Remove the plug and drain the oil into the pan.

Remove the old oil filter and replace it with a new one.

Replace the oil drain plug.

Unscrew the engine oil cap under the hood of your Camry.

Use the funnel to add 4.7 quarts of 0W-20 full-synthetic oil to the reservoir. Make sure there’s nothing leaking from the bottom of your Camry while you’re replacing the oil.

Check the oil dipstick and add more oil as needed.

Once the job is complete, your oil pressure dash light should turn off. Run your car for a few minutes after replacing the oil to make sure nothing is leaking and that your engine is running smoothly.

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.

Don’t dump the dirty oil out on the ground or put it in your garbage bin. Instead, place it in a sealed container and bring it to a local recycling center.

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Now that the job is complete, you’re ready to drive your Camry off into the sunset for another 10,000 miles! Plus, by doing this job at home, you’re saving both

time

and money.

Another easy way to save time and money on car-related expenses is by downloading the

Jerry

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Best of all, Jerry will perform regular price maintenance to make sure you’re still getting the best price on the coverage you need.