It may be easier to hand your car off to an experienced mechanic for its regular maintenance, but it isn’t always the most economical. Sometimes doing maintenance tasks yourself is better for your budget and time in the long run…and you can start with oil changes!

Learn how to change the oil on a 2018 Toyota Tacoma in this guide. We’ll tell you all about the 2018 Tacoma’s oil capacity, the best oil to use, how often to get an oil change, and how you can do it yourself! Let’s jump in.

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2018 Toyota Tacoma engine oil capacity

The 2018 Toyota Tacoma comes in six trim levels that have an engine oil capacity of 6.2 quarts. However, the higher trim levels—TRD Sport, TRD Off Road, Limited, and TRD Pro—have an oil capacity of 6.1 quarts if they don’t include the Towing Package.

You might wonder why engine oil capacity matters. Well, every engine requires the right amount of motor oil to lubricate its parts. Too much, and you risk leaks in the exhaust system. Too little, and overheating and sludgy, clogged parts are the result.

You should also note that

engine displacement

is different from oil capacity. Engine displacement is how much space an engine’s pistons take up and is measured in liters. This means that larger engines with a higher liter measurement typically produce more horsepower than smaller ones.

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What kind of oil does a 2018 Toyota Tacoma need?

The 2018 Toyota Tacoma needs ILSAC GF-5 multigrade engine oil with an SAE 0W-20 viscosity rating. ILSAC GF-5 is a type of oil that meets the International Lubricant Specification Advisory Committee’s standards for gas-powered vehicles.

Oil viscosity refers to how thick engine oil is, as some vehicles perform better with thicker oil than others.

Here’s a quick guide to reading oil viscosity ratings and what SAE 0W-20 means:

SAE stands for the Society of Automotive Engineers, the organization that sets oil viscosity standards. It’s an oil’s mark of approval!

0W: An oil’s viscosity rating in cold temperatures (“W” stands for “winter”). 0W is the thinnest viscosity, while 25W is the thickest.

20: This number indicates oil viscosity at hot, operating temperatures. In this case, 20 is the thinnest, while 60 is the highest.

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How often to change the oil on a 2018 Toyota Tacoma

Like tire pressure checks, oil changes are necessary to maintain your Tacoma’s drivability. If you use conventional oil, you can change the oil every 3,000 to 5,000. Synthetic oil, on the other hand, lasts longer and can be changed every 5,000 to 10,000 miles.

No matter which oil you choose, you’ll be alerted by your Toyota’s onboard computer with a “MAINT REQD” signal on your dashboard. The warning light typically illuminates at 5,000 miles, so be sure to pay attention!

Fortunately, you don’t have to twiddle your thumbs while waiting around for your dashboard to light up. If you have a hunch that your oil needs changing, slip on some disposable gloves, pop the hood open, and see if these characteristics are present in your engine oil:

Grainy, coarse, or sediment-filled oil

Dark amber, cola-colored, or cloudy oil (clean oil should look like tea)

A strong smell of burning or smoke coming from the engine

Sounds coming from the engine

Notice one or more of those symptoms in your oil? It’s time for an oil change—and we’ll teach you down below!

MORE: Recommended maintenance schedule for a Toyota

How to change your oil and oil filter

Ready for the big moment? First, gather your tools and make sure your truck is parked on level ground with the emergency brake engaged.

Here are the tools you need:

Gloves

Socket wrench

Drain pan

Ratcheting wrench

Replacement washer gasket

Oil filter drain hose

Filter wrench

Replacement oil filter

6.1 to 6.2 quarts of SAE 0W-20 engine oil

Dipstick

Sealable container for used oil

Now, limber up and follow these instructions to perform an oil change:

Warm up your engine for five minutes to ensure the engine oil has even consistency.

Slide under your vehicle and locate the skid plate, a large piece of metal that guards the oil filter and drain plug. Remove the plate with a socket wrench and set it aside.

Place the drain pan underneath the drain plug and remove the drain plug with your socket. The oil should immediately drain out.

Meanwhile, you can move on to the oil filter. Using your ratcheting wrench, loosen the oil filter cover.

Screw the oil filter drain hose into the oil filter and position the hose into your drain pan.

Carefully twist the bottom knob of the hose upwards to let the oil filter drain.

At this point, you may reinstall the drain plug with a replacement washer gasket and tighten it closed.

Once the oil filter is completely drained, it’s time to remove the filter housing with the filter wrench.

Replace the filter housing’s gasket, install the replacement filter, and screw it back into place.

Now it’s time to add your oil! Pop open the hood and remove the engine oil filler cap.

Place your funnel and pour 6.1 to 6.2 quarts of SAE 0W-20 oil, depending on your vehicle.

Check the oil level with your dipstick. It should reach just below the second marking.

Warm up your engine for a couple of minutes and make sure that there are no leaks under the vehicle.

Reinstall the skid plate and you’re done!

It was a lot of work but you just performed an oil change! Make sure to store the old oil in a sealable container and drop it off at your local Toyota dealership, auto parts store, or body shop.

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