. However, gas isn’t the only thing you’ll need to keep your Prius’s engine up and running. You’ll also need regular oil changes—and to know your engine oil capacity, which is 4.0 quarts.

Many people purchase a Prius with the intention of saving money. But spending less on gas isn’t the only way to lower your monthly and annual vehicle maintenance costs. You can also perform regular maintenance (like

oil changes

!) at home, rather than head to a local lube shop.

If you lost your owner’s manual, or you want all of the nitty-gritty details about your 2013 Toyota Prius’s engine oil capacity, read on! We’ll go over everything you need to know to perform an oil change right in your very own driveway.

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2013 Toyota Prius engine oil capacity

First things first: how much oil goes into a 2013 Toyota Prius engine?

The 2013 Toyota Prius is powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that has an oil capacity of 4.0 quarts or about 3.8 liters.

Be sure not to confuse your engine oil capacity with your engine’s displacement—the 1.8-liter volume that its cylinders take up. This value has nothing to do with the amount of oil you’ll need for an oil change.

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What kind of oil does a 2013 Toyota Prius need?

Did you know that not all oils are created equal? That’s right—you can’t run off to AutoZone and buy four quarts of the first oil you see.

Instead, you must purchase SAE 0W-20 oil. Not sure what that means? Let’s break things down.

First, “SAE” stands for Society of Automotive Engineers—they’re the organization that actually provides the oil grades for motor oil. Oil that is not rated by the SAE may not be as top-quality, as it has not officially been graded.

Now, onto the grade itself—each of the numbers refers to the engine’s viscosity or thickness. The “W” stands for “winter,” so the number beforehand (in this case “0”) refers to the engine’s oil capacity in very cold temperatures. The following number (in this case “20”) refers to the engine’s oil capacity in very high temperatures.

Finally, you’ll get to choose between three types of oil when shopping:

Conventional oil: This is the standard oil, refined from crude. It’s easier on the pockets, costing about 10% less than other types of oil.

Synthetic oil: This combines synthetic or artificial chemicals with crude oil to create a petroleum product that behaves similarly to conventional oil. It’s more expensive, but it’s generally better for newer engines.

Synthetic blends: This is just what it sounds like—a blend of conventional and synthetic oil. This provides some of the benefits of synthetic oil but at a lower cost.

You can choose any oil for your 2013 Prius, but know that the oil you choose will play a big role in how often you need to change your oil. We’ll explain more in the next section.

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How often to change the oil on a 2013 Toyota Prius

Exactly when you need to change your oil depends largely on which type of engine oil you’ve selected.

If you opt for conventional oil, you’ll need to change your oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. However, if you spring for the more-expensive full-synthetic oil, you can go 7,500 to 10,000 miles. Synthetic blends will, of course, land you somewhere in between.

But either way, these are big ranges! That’s why it’s essential to perform regular oil checks. Experts recommend doing so around once a month, or every other time you fill up your gas tank.

Pull out your vehicle’s dipstick and look for the following signs that your oil needs changing:

The oil is dark brown or black (clean oil is light brown or amber)

It feels coarse or gritty

Unfamiliar noises coming from the engine

New smells, especially oil, smoke, or burning

Reduced vehicle performance

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How to change your oil and oil filter

It’s time to change your oil! Roll up your sleeves and gather a socket wrench, a drain pan, and a filter wrench designed to remove the old oil filter. Also, don’t forget to buy a replacement filter and four quarts of SAE 0W-20 engine oil.

Before you get going, run the engine for a while to get your vehicle up to normal operating temperature. Then, turn the ignition off, open up your hood, and begin the following steps:

Take off the oil fill cap

Unscrew the oil drain bolt and washer. Let the old oil drain into the drain pan

Take out the old oil filter as the oil finishes draining

Install the new filter

Use the wrench to tighten the oil drain bolt (with a new washer) to 29 lb-ft

Add the new oil and replace the fill cap

When finished, start your car again for around 30 seconds to let the new oil fill the filter. Use the dipstick to check that the oil levels are good and add more oil if necessary. Run the vehicle for a few minutes to make sure there are no leaks.

Don’t forget the last step: cleaning up! Don’t dump the dirty oil out on the ground or put it in your garbage bin. Instead, seal it in a plastic container and take it to your local recycling center or auto shop.

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