Ever wonder why your engine sounds more like a purr or a growl rather than a screeching metal orchestra? The answer is engine oil, which lubricates and disperses heat from every moving part. Checking the oil tank should be on your list of essential maintenance tasks since it’s so important to your truck’s powertrain.

To know what oil to use and how to change it, just follow our guide to the 2016 Toyota Tacoma’s engine oil capacity by

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2016 Toyota Tacoma engine oil capacity

The oil tank of a 2016 Toyota Tacoma can hold up to 6.1 or 6.2 quarts of engine oil. If your Tacoma has the 2GR-FKS engine without the towing package, its oil capacity is 6.1 quarts. All other models hold 6.2 quarts of oil.

Wait, so then why does your owner's manual refer to your engine in liters? That’s because it’s measuring your truck’s engine displacement or the amount of space the engine takes up.

For example, the 2016 Tacoma's standard four-cylinder engine occupies 2.7 liters of space, while the larger and more powerful V6 takes up 3.5 liters. Your truck’s oil capacity, on the other hand, corresponds to the size of its oil tank.

What kind of oil does a 2016 Toyota Tacoma need?

According to the

2016 Toyota Tacoma owner's manual

, you have three options for topping up your oil tank.

Toyota Genuine SAE 0W-20 synthetic motor oil

, as recommended by the owner’s manual

Any generic premium SAE 0W-20 synthetic motor oil with an API Certification Seal

If SAE 0W-20 motor oil is not available, SAE 5W-20 oil may be used but should be replaced at the next opportunity

Toyota recommends its proprietary synthetic motor oil, which it claims performs better and keeps the engine cleaner for longer. The only downsides are that it’s often more expensive and harder to find than a generic product. If you’d rather stick with Castrol or Pennzoil, here’s your guide to motor oil grades.

Let’s tackle the label SAE 0W-20 in three parts:

0W: Indicates how well the oil performs in cold weather, with “W” meaning “winter”. The lower the number before “W”, the colder the minimum temperature at which the oil will still work. “0” represents the best cold tolerance.

SAE and 20: Indicates the oil’s viscosity rating follows the guidelines set by the Society of Automotive Engineers. A rating of “20” indicates the motor oil is highly-viscous at high temperatures.

API Certification Seal: Indicates the oil has been inspected by the American Petroleum Institute and met minimum quality requirements. The seal looks like a black starburst sticker on the oil container.

Look for an oil that meets all these guidelines and your engine will be the better for it.

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

How often to change the oil on a 2016 Toyota Tacoma

The type of oil you use and how often you drive determine how often you need to change your oil. In general:

If you’re using Toyota Genuine Motor Oil or generic oil: change your oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles

If you don’t drive very much: change your oil every six months

If you’re using synthetic oil: change your oil every 7,500 to 10,000 miles

However, the best way to know when it's time to make a change is to

check your engine oil

regularly. You can put it on your calendar once or month or just make it a habit to check your dipstick every time you refuel. Alternatively, if you notice any of these signs, you should change your oil right away:

Dirty, dark brown, or black motor oil

Coarse or gritty oil

Unfamiliar engine noises

An oily, smoky, or burning smell

Changes in your car’s performance

MORE:

Are Toyotas expensive to maintain?

How to change your oil and oil filter

Of course, you can skip straight to an oil change if you notice your truck’s

oil pressure light

appear.

To get started, you’ll need a socket wrench, a drain pan, and a filter wrench. If you’re changing the filter, buy a replacement plus at least five quarts of motor oil. It’s also a good idea to change into some old clothes because it’s really hard to

remove grease and oil from a car interior

You should first let your 2016 Toyota Tacoma's engine reach a normal operating temperature. If it's not too cold, it shouldn't take longer than five minutes. Now turn off the engine and open the hood. You’ll need to:

Remove the fill cap on top of the oil tank.

Remove the oil drain bolt and washer from the underside of the engine.

Drain the old oil into the drain pan.

Remove the old oil filter and continue to let the oil drain.

Install the new filter.

Replace the oil drain bolt with a new washer and tighten it using 29 lb-ft of torque.

Refill the oil tank and replace the fill cap from the top of the engine.

Run the engine for about 30 seconds before checking the oil level.

Make sure your engine's oil level is correct using a dipstick, and then run your Tacoma for a few minutes to check for leaks. You should see the oil pressure light on your dashboard turn off once you've done everything right.

The final step is cleanup. Oil is a major toxic pollutant, so you should never dump it on the ground or in the garbage. Instead, take it to a local recycling center in a sealed container.

Don’t forget regular car insurance maintenance

Your truck's engine oil tank should be in tip-top shape if you follow the steps above, but what about your car insurance? To see the best five to seven offers at a glance, make a pit stop with

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