If you have a Toyota Sienna, you’re equipped with the ultimate carpool vehicle. As the designated shuttle for your kids and their friends, the last thing you want is unexpected car troubles. Regularly servicing your car is the best way to keep your Toyota Sienna minivan in tip-top shape but it’s not cheap.

If you’re looking to maintain your minivan on a budget, the

licensed broker app

and

car insurance

guru

Jerry

is here to help with all the specs you need to change the oil in your 2012 Toyota Sienna at home—and we'll tell you how to save money on your

Toyota Sienna car insurance costs

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

2012 Toyota Sienna engine oil capacity

Before you begin your do-it-yourself oil change, you’ll need to know how much engine oil your Toyota Sienna needs.

The 2012 Toyota Sienna V6 engine has an oil capacity of 6.4 quarts or about 6.1 liters. When you check your owner’s manual, don't get engine oil capacity–the amount of oil your Sienna needs–mixed up with your engine’s displacement which is the volume of the cylinders. Engine oil capacity and your engine’s displacement are not interchangeable so be sure you’re getting the right specs.

What kind of oil does a 2012 Toyota Sienna need?

A premium minivan like the Toyota Sienna won’t take just any oil. You’ll need SAE 0W-20 synthetic oil. Alright, now let’s break down what the car talk gibberish actually means.

Your 2012 Toyota Sienna requires low viscosity oil which performs well in cold weather conditions and reduces wear on your engine. The “W” in the oil type name signifies winter and the numbers indicate the oil viscosity or how easily the engine pours at low and high temperatures.

With so many engine oil brands available on the market it is hard to choose the best oil for your Toyota Sienna even if you know the correct oil type.

Manufacturer recommendation: The owner’s manual recommends Toyota Genuine SAE 0W-20 Full Synthetic Oil for the Sienna

Key Takeaway You’ll need 6.4 quarts of SAE 0W-16 or 0W-20 synthetic motor oil for your Toyota Sienna.

How often to change oil on a 2012 Toyota Sienna

It’s recommended you change the oil in your Toyota Sienna every 5,000 miles or six months. Depending on your driving habits six months may come before the recommended mileage or vice-versa so you’ll want to go with whichever comes first.

You can make sure you’re servicing your Sienna as needed by checking your oil once a month for contaminants and correct levels.

However, you may need to change your oil ahead of schedule if you notice these symptoms:

Odd noises

Weak performance

Vibrations while idling

Check engine light or oil pressure light comes on

Burning or smoking smell

Gritty oil texture

Trouble changing gears

MORE:

What does the check engine light mean?

How to change your oil and oil filter

Now that you know exactly how much oil and the type of oil your 2012 Toyota Sienna requires, gather all the materials you need for your do-it-yourself oil change. Get a socket and filter wrench, a drain pan, and of course, a replacement filter and 6.4 quarts of 0W-20 synthetic motor oil.

You’re finally ready to get started! Warm up your Sienna by running your engine until it reaches normal operating temperatures which should only take five minutes. All you need to do now is follow these steps to change your Sienna’s engine oil:

Disconnect the oil cap

Locate and remove the oil drain bolt and washer from under the vehicle

Drain the old oil into the drain pan

Replace the

oil filter

Fill the engine with the new oil

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.

Use your dipstick to check your oil levels and make sure you’ve added enough oil to your engine and ensure there aren’t any leaks. If the check engine or oil pressure light is off, you’ll know you’ve performed your oil change correctly.

Pour the old oil into a sealed container and take it to a recycling center to properly dispose of it and wrap up your oil change sustainably.

Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds

Find Savings!

4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars

4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

If do-it-yourself oil changes aren’t cutting car ownership costs as much as you’d like, regularly shopping for

Toyota Sienna car insurance

with Jerry is key to getting next-level savings.

Jerry

is an insurance comparison app that shops for low prices with top insurance companies for free. You will get quotes in seconds, can make changes at any time, and if you ever have any questions, agents are just a text away

And before every policy renewal period, you’ll be presented with new competitive quotes, which means you’ll always have the best coverage at the best price. If you want to switch policies, that’s fine! Jerry can help cancel your old policy.

“A seamless process and a fantastic app!
Jerry
saved me over $2000 on car insurance. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone.” —Osvaldo B.

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.

Try GarageGuard™