We’re here to tell you not only the quantity of oil you would need, but also the steps for replacing it and how often you should do so. By the end of this article, you’ll be an expert on changing the oil in a 2013 Toyota RAV4.

MORE:

How to reduce Toyota RAV4 car insurance costs

2013 Toyota RAV4 engine oil capacity

You might already know that your 2013 Toyota RAV4 has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine—but that 2.5 liters has nothing to do with the oil capacity. You will need 4.6 quarts (4.4 liters) of

engine oil

to fill up completely.

2.5 liters refers to the

engine displacement

, which is the total volume taken up by the engine’s cylinders. It’s extremely important not to get these two numbers confused. They aren’t interchangeable, and you should double-check that you’re following the oil capacity number when purchasing oil.

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

What kind of oil does a 2013 Toyota RAV4 need?

Toyota recommends using

Toyota Genuine Motor Oil SAE 0W-20

in your ‘13 RAV4, and it’s always best to follow the manufacturer's recommendation. Be sure your oil comes with an International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC) certification so you know it’s appropriate for your vehicle.

Toyota also recommends a grade of ILSAC GF-5 multigrade.

That’s a lot of mysterious letters and numbers, so let’s break things down a little. First off, SAE 0W-20 refers to the oil’s viscosity—or thinness. When oil gets too thick and sludgy, it’s incapable of moving through and lubricating the engine, so you want to make sure your oil will stay thin under all sorts of weather conditions.

The “W” stands for “winter,” and the number in front of it refers to how cold it can get before the oil starts to lose its ideal viscosity. The second number, 20 in this case, does the same thing for hotter temperatures. However, these values aren’t a one-to-one match to the temperatures they can withstand—for example, 20 means the oil can withstand heat up to 212°F!

SAE is simply the acronym for the Society of Automotive Engineers. They’re the ones who code the oil viscosity.

What happens if you can’t find SAE 0W-20? Toyota says you can substitute with SAE 5W-20, but you should make sure to switch it back to 0W-20 the next time you change your oil.

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

How often to change the oil on a 2013 Toyota RAV4

There are a few factors that influence how frequently you need to change your oil, but generally, Toyota recommends doing it once every 5,000 miles or six months—whichever comes first.

This means that

if you don’t drive often

, you’ll probably want to look at your calendar instead of your odometer. By contrast, if you’re constantly on the road, you’ll need to get your oil changed every time you hit that next 5,000-mile mark.

Using synthetic over conventional oil can extend your oil life. Generally, fully synthetic oil lasts closer to 7,500 to 10,000 miles. You can also prolong the time between oil changes by limiting the number of short trips you take and living in a moderate climate as opposed to one with extreme temperatures in either direction.

Apart from following these guidelines, you should

check your oil

every now and again. Doing it every other time you get gas or once a month will allow you to spot problems early and get it in for a change before the bad oil can cause any damage.

Some signs that you should get this service done are:

Coarse or gritty oil

Discoloration—fresh oil should be light brown or amber

Extremely low oil level

Burning smell

Deteriorated engine performance

MORE:

The most common problems with Toyota

How to change your oil and oil filter

You’ve learned everything you need to know about how much, how often, and what type of oil you need for your 2013 Toyota RAV4—now comes the hard part. You have to actually change it! Don’t worry, though. We’re taking you through every step of this simple process.

You’ll need a drain pan, a socket wrench, a funnel, a new oil filter, and new oil to make things as easy as possible. It also helps to put the car on jack stands and chock the wheels to give you ample room to work.

Here are the steps for changing the oil:

Before anything else, run the car for a few minutes so the oil will warm up and drain faster.

Remove the drain bolt with your drain pan in place to catch the oil.

Replace and tighten the drain bolt.

Remove and replace the oil filter.

Locate the oil cap and use the funnel to pour in the new oil.

Check your oil levels and add more oil as needed.

It’s a good idea to run your car for another 30 seconds or so after you’ve added the oil to give it time to settle and allow you to have a more accurate reading of the level. Check to see if there are any oil leaks underneath your car, too.

Once you’ve done all that, the only thing left is to dispose of the oil. It is very important that you do not treat it like regular garbage—never put it in with your usual trash or pour it down a drain. You should take it to a local recycling center or an auto shop that accepts used motor oil.

MORE:

How to reduce Toyota car insurance rates

Are you overpaying for your car insurance?

Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.

Compare Rates Now

No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms

No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms · No fees

4.717k Ratings

5M+Drivers Joined

7M+Cars Garaged

“
Jerry
is a great service made easy for a newbie. It was my first time buying car insurance and everything was quickly taken care of. Everything was done in the app, so that was incredibly satisfying.” —August M.

Estimate your repair costs for free with GarageGuard™

Simplify your car maintenance with Jerry.

Try GarageGuard™