2016 Toyota Tundra Engine Oil Capacity
You will need 7.9 quarts of oil to fill your 2016 Toyota Tundra’s engine. Click here to learn more details.
Written by Alita Dark
Reviewed by Hillary Kobayashi
The 2016 Toyota Tundra has an oil capacity of 7.9 quarts (or 7.5 liters). If you plan to replace the oil yourself, you will need to have the appropriate amount of oil.
Car maintenance
can cost thousands of dollars over the years, so it’s no surprise that some owners prefer the DIY approach when it’s feasible. The good news is that when it comes to oil changes
, it’s fairly simple to do them yourself. We’re here to tell you how much oil you’ll need to take care of your 2016 Toyota Tundra—and we won’t stop there. We’ll break down how frequently you should be changing it and even give you step-by-step instructions for performing your own oil change! Let’s get started.
2016 Toyota Tundra engine oil capacity
If you open up the hood of your 2016 Toyota Tundra, you’ll find a 4.6-liter V8 engine. This might lead you to believe the truck needs 4.6 liters of oil—but that’s incorrect! You’ll really need 7.9 quarts, or 7.5 liters, of oil.
This might seem confusing, but the 4.6-liter number actually references the Tundra’s
engine displacement
—the total volume taken up by the engine’s cylinders. You don’t want to get these two numbers mixed up as neither underfilling nor overfilling your engine with oil will lead to the best vehicle performance. Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversWhat kind of oil does a 2016 Toyota Tundra need?
The capacity isn’t the only part of the
engine oil
buying process you need to pay attention to—you’ll also want to check the grade and viscosity to make sure it’s appropriate for your ‘16 Tundra. Luckily, Toyota tells you exactly what to buy: Toyota Genuine Motor Oil SAE 0W-20
. As long as you’re getting the brand recommended by the manufacturer, the oil should have the International Lubricant Specification Advisory Committee certification and be safe to use in your vehicle.
When you’re shopping, it’s helpful to know exactly what you’re looking for. If you’re like most people, you probably don’t know what SAE 0W-20 means, so let’s take a closer look.
SAE stands for the Society of Automotive Engineers. This is who has implemented the oil grading system.
The “W” stands for “winter,” and the two numbers are a scale letting you know how cold or hot the temperature can become before your oil loses its viscosity, or thinness. Oil must be thin enough to flow through the engine.
If you get outside of the specified temperature range, the oil may no longer function like it’s supposed to. Oils with a viscosity rating of 0W-20 can withstand temperatures up to 212°F while still starting easily in cold weather.
How often to change the oil on a 2016 Toyota Tundra
According to Toyota’s maintenance guide, you should not wait longer than 5,000 miles or six months—whichever comes first—to have your oil changed. Do not go beyond 10,000 miles or 12 months without this service being performed.
Of course, several factors impact exactly when you should change out your oil. These include:
- Length of trips: Taking shorter, more frequent trips will wear out your oil faster than lengthier journeys.
- Weather: Extreme temperatures, be they cold or hot, will necessitate oil changes sooner than mild climes.
- Type of oil used in last change: Toyota says that you can get away with using SAE 5W-20 grade oil if 0W-20 isn’t recommended, but you’ll want to get your oil changed sooner rather than later so it can be replaced with the correct grade.
- Synthetic or conventional oil: Fully synthetic or synthetic blend oils will let you go longer without needing an oil change. You can get anywhere from 7,500 to 10,000 miles out of synthetic oil.Conventional oil, on the other hand, should be replaced every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.
If you don’t drive very often
, you should focus more on months than mileage. Even if you don’t hit 3,000 miles in a year, you should go in for an oil change every six months to keep your car well-lubricated and functioning as it should. Regardless of timing or mileage, it’s a good idea to periodically
check your engine oil
. This will allow you to see any changes in color or consistency that can alert you to problems that need immediate attention. You can do this easily while you’re getting gas by removing the dipstick, wiping it clean, then reinserting it and noting where the oil level is on the provided guide. How to change your oil and oil filter
Now that you’re an expert on motor oil in relation to the 2016 Toyota Tundra, it’s time to get your hands dirty and actually change some oil! You will need a socket wrench, a drain pan, a funnel, a new oil filter, and the new oil. It is also helpful to have a jack stand and wheel chocks so you can more easily access the underside of the car.
Before you do anything else, turn the car on and let the engine run for about five minutes. This will warm up the oil and make the draining process faster. Once you’ve done that, you can move on to the real work:
- Jack the car up and chock the wheels to give yourself space to work.
- Take off the skid plate.
- Remove the drain plug and drain the old oil. Catch it in the drain pan.
- Remove and replace the oil filter.
- Replace the skid plate.
- Use the funnel to add the new oil. Do your best not to spill any, as engine oil is considered a dangerous substance.
That’s it! Now all that’s left to do is run your engine for another minute or so, then check the oil level. Running the car will give the oil time to settle and let you get a more accurate reading. You might also want to look for any oil leaks beneath the car.
One last thing: don’t just throw your used oil out with the garbage! It’s a hazardous material and it needs to be disposed of properly. You can check for local recycling centers or see if a nearby auto shop will accept it.
Are you overpaying for your car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
4.717k Ratings5M+Drivers Joined
7M+Cars Garaged
"I love how easy it was for me, as someone who has an older beat-up truck, to get insurance without going through a lot of trouble. I would recommend anyone tryJerry, since it’s free!” —Melissa I.
Estimate your repair costs for free with GarageGuard™
Simplify your car maintenance with Jerry.
4.7You might also be interested
.jpg&w=64&q=75){kind=avatar}
We value your privacy
