The 2017 Toyota Camry is a safe, reliable, and attractive midsize sedan with good fuel efficiency. To keep your Camry running smoothly, it’s important to know its engine oil capacity and get oil changes regularly.

You don’t have to own a high-end vehicle to treat your vehicle with care—but responsible car ownership comes with a price tag. Regular oil changes are one of the smartest ways to keep your car performing at peak condition for years to come. You can save money by doing an oil change yourself, so long as you check the owner’s manual for the oil type and capacity of your model.

If you don’t want to root around in your glovebox, or if you just want more info about the 2017 Toyota Camry oil capacity, keep reading.

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2017 Toyota Camry engine oil capacity

Before we can get started, you need to know how much engine oil a 2017 Toyota Camry requires.

Your Camry has either a 2.5-liter four-cylinder (the standard) or a 3.5-liter V6. If you have a four-cylinder engine, your 2017 Toyota Camry oil capacity is 4.6 quarts. If you are driving the upgraded V6, your car’s oil capacity is 6.4 quarts. Both of these measurements include the oil filter.

Please don’t get confused by the 2.5-liter and 3.5-liter figures above. These describe the

engine displacement

, or how much volume your engine’s cylinders take up. They are not the same as oil capacity!

What kind of oil does a 2017 Toyota Camry need?

So, you know you need either 4.6 or 6.4 quarts of oil—but what type of oil should you buy?

Engine oil types range from conventional to fully synthetic oil. Your 2017 Toyota Camry should take SAE 0W-20 full-synthetic engine oil, according to Toyota.

Long story short, as long as you use an engine oil rated 0W-20, your Camry will do just fine. But allow us to quickly explain what that label actually means.

The “W” stands for winter. The numbers in the oil type code refer to the oil’s thickness or viscosity. The lower the number, the less thick it is. So, 0 means that this oil type is very thin even in low temperatures when the engine is cold. The 20 means that this oil stays thin even at peak operating temperatures. Thinner oil means better flow and less wear and tear on your engine.

SAE stands for Society of Automotive Engineers, a designation for the body of engineers that codes oil viscosity.

The genuine article: To follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter, use

Toyota Genuine

motor oil

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

How often to change oil on a 2017 Toyota Camry

You should change the oil in your 2017 Toyota Camry every 3,000 to 5,000 miles per Toyota's recommended maintenance schedule. It’s true that you can prolong the life of your vehicle with more frequent oil changes. However, experts say that every six months may suffice if you don’t commute long distances.

Synthetic oil lasts so much longer than conventional oil that you may be able to wait until you hit 7,500 to 10,000 miles before you need an oil change.

So which is better, 3,000 miles or 10,000 miles? The best thing for you to do is check your oil level regularly. Everyone’s driving habits are different, and only you can decide what’s best for your car. Luckily, it’s easy to check the oil levels on a Camry—some drivers check their oil every other time they fuel up.

Here are a few key indicators that your oil needs to be changed:

Dark coloring (clean motor oil is amber or light brown, dirty oil is dark)

Gritty texture

Unusual sounds coming from the engine

Unexpected smells, especially anything smoky or burnt

Changes in your vehicle’s performance

MORE:

Basic car maintenance schedule

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

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* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

How to change your oil and oil filter

If you’re doing the

oil and filter change

yourself, you will need some special tools. Gather a socket wrench, filter wrench, drain pan, replacement filter, and new 0W-20 engine oil.

To start the oil change process, run your Camry for a few minutes until it reaches normal operating temperature. This might take longer than a few minutes in very cold weather. Then, turn off the engine and

open the hood of your car

. Now is a good time to put on gloves and that old band t-shirt you don’t care about anymore.

Here are the basic steps for a DIY oil change:

Remove the oil fill cap

Grab the drain pan and your socket wrench and slide under the vehicle

Remove the oil drain bolt and washer, allowing the old oil to drizzle into the drain pan

Remove the old filter while the oil continues to drain

Install the new filter

Replace the drain bolt and tighten it to manufacturer specifications

Fill ‘er up with the new oil and replace the fill cap

The last step is important: check the liquid level with the oil dipstick. 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.

Then, run your Camry for a few minutes and check for any leaks. If you did it correctly, the

oil pressure light

should be off on your dashboard and you’ll be good to go!

Finally, it’s time to dispose of the dirty oil. Pleasedo not dump your old oil into the sewer or into your garbage can. Instead, place the old oil into a well-sealed container and drop it off at your local recycling center.

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Regular car maintenance is awesome—but responsible car ownership demands more than just a biannual trip to Jiffy Lube.

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