Since 1995, the Toyota RAV4 has been a staple in the crossover SUV sector—and the 2018 RAV4 certainly hits the mark with impressive cargo space and towing capacity. But in order to keep a car healthy and reliable, you need to know its engine oil capacity.

If you own a RAV4 for its simplicity and dependability, you’re probably a no-frills, no-fuss kind of driver. And learning to change your 2018 Toyota RAV4’s engine oil is a great way to keep your car ownership costs down—but it’s imperative that you use the right type of oil and know how much your model needs.

If thumbing through your owner’s manual doesn’t sound enticing—when does it?—you’ve come to the right place.

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2018 Toyota RAV4 engine oil capacity

Now for the grand question: just exactly how much oil does a 2018 Toyota RAV4 need? The 2018 RAV4’s 2.5-liter engine has an oil capacity of 4.6 quarts—or 4.4 liters.

Make sure you don’t mix up the engine’s displacement—the 2.5-liter volume that its cylinders take up—with its oil capacity of 4.6 quarts. Oil capacity and displacement are not the same things, so you shouldn’t think of them interchangeably.

MORE: How much should an oil change cost?

What kind of oil does a 2018 Toyota RAV4 need?

So, what about the type of oil? Not all engines are the same. Different cars require different types of oil. In fact, using the wrong type of oil in your engine can be catastrophic to your car’s performance!

Toyota recommends using SAE 0W-20 motor oil in a 2018 Toyota RAV4. But what does that even mean?

The numbers denoting the oil grade refer to the oil’s viscosity—its thickness—and the “W” stands for “winter.” The 0 represents the oil’s viscosity at 0°F when just starting the engine on a cold day, and the 20 represents the oil’s viscosity at 212°F, which is an engine’s normal operating temperature.

But what does any of that mean? All these specifications mean that this oil will do well in cold temperatures, and its low viscosity means that your engine will see less wear and tear.

You have the option of using either conventional motor oil or synthetic motor oil in your 2018 RAV4 engine. However, synthetic (or synthetic blend) motor oil is generally more stable at extreme temperatures, providing faster oil flow when you start up your engine and resisting breakdown in high heat.

Conventional oil is generally cheaper, though. If you pay for an oil change by a mechanic, synthetic will cost nearly twice as much as an oil change with conventional oil.

But along with its heftier price tag, synthetic oil lasts longer, meaning you won’t need oil changes as frequently. Synthetic oil can also improve fuel efficiency and decrease wear and tear on your engine.

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How often to change the oil on a 2018 Toyota RAV4

Now that you have everything you need to know about the 2018 Toyota RAV4’s engine oil capacity, it’s time to get ready to change your oil!

That is if it actually is time. Toyota recommends changing the oil in your 2018 RAV4 every 3,000 to 5,000 miles if you’re using conventional oil in your engine. For those who drive less—or want to plan ahead for regular oil changes—every 6 months may be a good benchmark to stick with.

But remember, with synthetic oil, you can go much longer before needing an oil change. Experts recommend changing synthetic oil every 7,500 to 10,000 miles.

But with such a range, you’ll want to make sure you are regularly checking the oil levels in your engine (every other refuel or once a month) to ensure your vehicle is happy and healthy.

Here are some signs that it might be time to change your oil:

Motor oil is dark brown or black (clean oil is amber or light brown)

Motor oil is gritty and coarse

You notice new smells coming from your engine—especially anything that smells like burning, smoke, or oil

Your vehicle performance changes drastically (e.g., an unexplained decrease in fuel efficiency)

You notice unfamiliar noises coming from your engine

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How to change your oil and oil filter

Alright, now that you’ve verified that it is time to change your engine oil, get your materials ready. For a simple oil change on the 2018 RAV4, you’ll need a drain pan, socket wrench, and filter wrench. You’ll also need a new replacement oil filter and 5 quarts of SAE 0W-20 motor oil.

We also recommend changing into a set of clothes that can get dirty or stained. Changing your oil can be a messy job!

To start, run your engine until it hits normal operating temperature. (The needle on your temperature gauge should be about halfway between “C” and “H.”) In normal weather, this should take about five minutes.

When your car is warmed, turn it off. Then, open the hood and follow these steps to change your oil:

Unscrew the oil fill cap

Go underneath your engine and place a drain pan under your oil tank

Remove the drain bolt and washer and let the dirty oil drain into the pan

Install the new oil filter

Replace the drain bolt with a new washer

Refill the engine with 4.6 quarts of 0W-20 motor oil

Replace the fill cap

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.

Use a dipstick to check the oil level in your engine and make sure you poured in the right amount. Then, run your engine for a few minutes with the new oil, watching for any leaks. If your oil pressure light was on before the change, it should turn off.

You’re almost done—it’s time to clean up! Never pour dirty oil down the drain or throw it in your garbage bin. Instead, you should put it in a sealed container to dispose of at your local recycling center.

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

So, now you’ve done some maintenance on your 2018 Toyota RAV4. But what about your RAV4

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