Regular oil changes are essential to keeping a car’s engine running smoothly and reliably. This is especially true in the case of trucks like the Tundra, which can be used for towing or hauling heavy cargo that makes the engine work harder.

If you have the space and the right tools, changing the Tundra’s oil yourself is fairly simple and only takes a few minutes. But this simple

routine maintenance

is incredibly important—and it can save you from having to pay for expensive

car repairs

later. Here’s everything you need to know, including the Tundra’s oil capacity, recommended oil type, how often to change the oil, and how to do it yourself.

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2017 Toyota Tundra Oil Capacity

The 2017 Tundra comes with either a 4.6L or 5.7L V8 engine, both of which take 7.9 quarts of motor oil.

What kind of oil does a 2017 Toyota Tundra need?

The Tundra owner’s manual recommends Toyota Genuine motor oil, but any synthetic ILSAC-approved 0W-20 motor oil will work.

“0W-20” refers to the oil’s viscosity at different temperatures. Engines need to be able to start in all kinds of weather, so engine oil is designed to perform as needed in varying temperatures. “0W” refers to its performance in cooler temperatures — a lower number before the “W” indicates better performance in cold weather. The second set of numbers does the opposite. The higher the second number, the better the oil will perform at higher temperatures and under heavier loads.

How often to change the oil in a 2017 Toyota Tundra

Toyota recommends changing the oil in a 2017 Tundra every 5,000 miles or six months, whichever comes first. A “Maintenance Required Soon” warning light will appear on the dashboard 4,500 miles after it was last reset, followed by a “Maintenance Required” warning after 500 more miles. This means you don’t need to keep track of the time between oil changes as long as you ensure the warning light is reset properly each time.

How to change a car’s oil and oil filter

Here’s what you’ll need to change a 2017 Tundra’s oil and filter:

socket wrench

oil filter wrench

shop towels, paper towels, or rags

drain pan

⅝” crush washer

gloves

new oil filter

8 quarts of new 0W-20 motor oil

a funnel

Here’s how to do it:

Run the engine for about 5 minutes to warm the oil up, then pop the hood and unscrew the oil cap—but leave it in place. This will allow oil to flow freely out of the engine without letting dust or debris into it.

Get underneath the truck and remove the five bolts and three screws holding the splash plate in place, then carefully remove the plate and set it aside.

Place the drain pan under the engine. Locate the drain plug bolt, then loosen it with the wrench and unscrew it the rest of the way with your gloved hand. Be careful—warm oil will immediately begin to flow. Wait a few minutes for the old oil to drain completely.

Replace the old washer on the drain plug bolt with a new one, then screw the bolt back in and tighten it snugly, but don’t overtighten.

Loosen the oil filter cap with the filter wrench, let it drain completely, then remove it. Pull the old oil filter and rubber O-ring out of the cap, and loosen the metal drain plug out of the back of the cap—some oil will drain out of here, too. Clean the cap, then put the new filter and O-ring into the cap.

Put the new, clean filter into the engine and screw it in with the wrench. Don’t overtighten it.

Pour the oil into the top of the engine, using a funnel to avoid spills. Once you’ve added close to 7.9 quarts, use the dipstick to check the oil level, then run the engine for a few minutes and check it again. Running the engine will circulate the oil throughout the engine, giving you a more accurate reading. Add more oil as needed.

Check underneath the car to make sure there are no leaks.

Finally, reset the maintenance light. Start with the engine off. Turn the key to the “On” position while holding the odometer button on the gauge cluster. Continue to hold the button until the odometer reads 000000, then the light will reset.

MORE: How much should an oil change cost?

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