You need to regularly change the oil in your 2018 Toyota Corolla to keep it in tip-top shape–and to do that, you’ll need to know the engine oil capacity which is 4.4 quarts.

Toyota has a reputation for manufacturing reliable vehicles that are reliable, low maintenance, and stand the test of time. And with a reliability rating of 4.5 stars, an annual maintenance cost of $343, and an average lifespan of 300,000 miles or more with proper maintenance, the 2018 Toyota Corolla is no exception.

Regularly changing your oil is part of properly maintaining your 2018 Toyota Corolla and can be done at home to cut ownership costs. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know to change your 2018 Toyota Corolla’s engine oil including oil capacity, type, and a step-by-step guide.

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2018 Toyota Corolla engine oil capacity

First on the agenda: the engine oil capacity or amount of oil need to fill your 2018 Toyota Corolla’s engine.

The 2018 Toyota Corolla has an engine oil capacity of 4.4 quarts or 4.16 liters. Make sure you don’t get the oil capacity confused with your engine’s displacement which refers to the volume of the cylinders instead of how much oil your Toyota Corolla needs. The oil capacity and displacement are different and the two numbers are not interchangeable.

What kind of oil does a 2018 Toyota Corolla need?

Next, we’re covering oil type. Instead of purchasing the first engine oil you see, find Toyota Genuine SAE

5W-30 Full-Synthetic

motor oil. The manufacturer recommends this for the 2018 Toyota Corolla and should be adhered to for best results.

But let’s break down what those series and numbers actually mean. The numbers in the oil grade refer to the oil viscosity or the oil’s thickness at different temperatures and the “W” indicates winter. The first number “5” in the series is the oil viscosity at the engine starting temperature while the second number “30” is the viscosity when the engine reaches operating temperature.

Your Toyota Corolla takes low-viscosity oil which performs well in cold weather conditions and reduces engine wear and tear.

MORE: Recommended maintenance schedule for a Toyota

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How often to change the oil on a Toyota Corolla

The answer depends on whether you opt for the manufacturer's recommended synthetic oil or conventional oil. Toyota recommends changing synthetic oil every 7,000 to 10,000 miles or between 3,000 and 5,000 miles for conventional oil.

No matter the engine oil you choose to put in your Corolla, it’s a good idea to check your engine oil once a month to ensure it is free of harmful contaminants and is at the correct level.

You should also keep an eye out for these signs:

Exhaust smoke

when you drive

Sluggish performance

Check engine light or

oil pressure light

on your dashboard

Burning smells

Strange knocking or ticking noises coming from the engine

Gritty or textured engine oil

Dark coffee-colored engine oil

How to change your oil and oil filter

Now that you know your engine oil capacity and type, it’s time to change your Corolla’s engine oil! Grab a socket and filter wrench, a drain pan, a replacement filter, and of course, 4.4 quarts of 5W-30 motor oil.

Start by running your engine until it reaches operating temperature. This should take about five minutes. Now, just follow these steps to change your engine oil:

Remove the oil cap

Disconnect the drain bolt and washer

Drain the old oil into the drain pan

Remove the old oil filter and install the new filter

Reconnect the drain bolt and washer

Fill the engine with the new oil

Once you’ve finished, use your dipstick to check your oil levels making sure you’ve added enough oil and don’t have any leaks. If all goes well, your Corolla’s oil warning lights should turn off indicating a successful oil change!

Finally, pour the old oil into a sealed container to clean up! Make sure you bring the container to your local recycling center to properly dispose of the contaminated oil.

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Oil change cost

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