Keeping up with bi-yearly oil changes is one of the best ways to ensure your 2017 Toyota RAV4 2.5L stays in good condition. But if you want to do the work yourself, you’ll need to use 4.6 quarts of the proper oil type.

When you bring your car to get its oil changed, you’re not just paying for new motor oil — you’re paying for the mechanic’s labor, too. In fact, you can usually expect an oil-change bill to include up to $75 or more in labor charges, depending on the type of car you drive and where you live. But as long as you have the right equipment, learning to do your own oil change can lead to major savings over time.

If you’re looking to learn more how to do your own oil change, you’re in the right place. In this guide from

Jerry

, the super app that saves you money on

car insurance

, we’ll go over everything you need to know about the 2017 Toyota RAV4 2.5L’s engine oil capacity, complete with tips on how to change your car’s oil and even how to save on your

Toyota Rav4 insurance costs

2017 Toyota RAV4 2.5L engine oil capacity

Your car’s engine oil capacity is one of the most important things to know before attempting an oil change yourself.

The 2017 Toyota RAV4 has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an oil capacity of 4.6 quarts. It’s important to note that your engine’s oil capacity is not the same thing as your engine’s displacement. Engine capacity is the amount of oil you need in order to complete your vehicle’s oil change. On the other hand,

engine displacement

refers to the 2.5-liter volume that the engine’s cylinders take up.

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What kind of oil does a 2017 Toyota RAV4 2.5L need?

In addition to how much oil your 2017 Toyota RAV4 needs, you’ll also need to know its oil type.It’s important to use the right type of oil since filling your car with the wrong oil can lead to overheating or engine damage.

The easiest way to check your car’s oil type is by looking it up in your owner’s manual, where you’ll find Toyota’s recommendation of SAE 0W-20 for the 2017 RAV4. This is an ultra-low viscosity, fully-synthetic motor oil that improves engine performance, lowers warm-up time, and offers better fuel economy compared to higher viscosity oils.

You can’t go wrong with

Toyota Genuine Motor Oil

if you want to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to a T. The owner's manual also says that an SAE 5W-20 oil is acceptable as long as it is replaced with the proper oil at you next oil change.

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

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How often to change oil on a 2017 Toyota RAV4 2.5L

Now that you know a little about your RAV4’s oil capacity and type, it’s time to learn about when to change your oil. Toyota's recommended maintenance schedule includes changing fully-synthetic motor oil like SAE 0W-16 every 7,500 to 10,000 miles. However, low-mileage drivers should still change their oil every six months to make sure it stays clean.

If you’re not sure whether your 2017 Toyota RAV4 needs its oil changed, here are a few signs to look out for:

Dark brown or black oil. Dark-colored oil is dirty and should be changed as soon as possible. Clean oil will be light brown or amber in color.

A thick or gritty texture. If your oil looks more like sludge than liquid, it’s old and should be changed immediately.

A burning or smoky smell. If you notice strange smells coming from your car when you drive, there’s a good chance your oil is old and needs to be changed.

Unfamiliar noises or changes in how your vehicle drives. Although these types of problems can be related to other issues, old oil is often the culprit.

MORE:

The most common Toyota problems

How to change your oil and oil filter

The best way to learn how to do an

oil and filter change

yourself is to learn from an expert. But if that’s not an option for you, you can find some great online tutorials and video guides to help you get familiar with the process.

Once you’re ready to give it a try, choose the area where you want to work and make sure it’s clean and level. Next, gather your supplies: in addition to your replacement filter and a bottle of SAE 0W-20 motor oil, you’ll also need a floor jack and jack stands, a wrench that fits your drain plug, and a drip pan. It’s also a good idea to keep paper towels or rags on hand in case you need to clean up a spill.

Next, run your car’s engine until it reaches normal operating temperature. Under standard weather conditions this should take no longer than a few minutes, but if it’s the middle of the winter you may want to let it idle a little longer. When you’re ready, turn the car’s engine off again, jack up the car, and follow these steps:

Remove the oil fill cap.

Get underneath the engine, remove the oil drain bolt and washer, and allow the old oil to drain out into your drip pan.

Remove the old oil filter and install the new one.

Replace the oil drain bolt using a new washer and tighten it.

Refill the engine with new oil, and use a dipstick to make sure you’ve added the correct amount.

Replace the fill cap.

When you’re done, let your 2017 Toyota RAV42.5L run for a few minutes and watch for leaks. As long as you don’t see leaking oil and your

oil pressure light

turns off, it’s safe to assume you’ve done everything right.

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.

Keep in mind that you should never dump dirty oil out onto the ground or throw it out with your regular household trash. Instead, store it in a sealed container until you’re ready to bring it to a recycling center.

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Doing your own oil change is a great way to

save money on your car expenses

, but you can save even more by regularly updating your car insurance policy . If that sounds like too much work, don’t worry — you’ve got

Jerry

to help!

Jerry is the

trustworthy insurance shopping super app

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The best part? Before every policy renewal period, you’ll be presented with new competitive quotes, which means you’ll always have the best coverage at the best price.