The 2020 Toyota Corolla is a stylish, reliable, and affordable sedan, but that’s not too surprising since Toyota has been perfecting the Corolla since 1966! If you want to keep your sedan in the best shape so it will last for years to come, you’ll have to stay on top of regular oil changes—which means knowing your Corolla’s oil capacity.

You probably already know that oil changes are a standard part of any car maintenance schedule, but newer vehicles that use fully synthetic motor oil can go longer between changes—which is a great way to save money and reduce the chance of

car repairs

down the road!

Another way to save is to do the oil changes yourself! In this handy guide, we’ll go over the 2020 Toyota Corolla’s oil capacity and type. Plus, we’ll include a quick oil change refresher, so you can confidently tackle this project on your own.

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2020 Toyota Corolla engine oil capacity

It helps to know exactly how much oil your car needs before you head to the auto shop. If you’re driving a 1.8-liter four-cylinder Corolla, it has a 4.4-quart or 4.2-liter oil capacity. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder Corolla has a 4.9-quart or 4.6-liter oil capacity.

Just remember that the 1.8 or 2.0-liter measurement refers to the engine displacement, not the oil capacity. Engine displacement is the volume the engine’s cylinders take up. If you buy only 1.8 or 2.0 liters of oil, you won’t have enough for the oil change!

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What kind of oil does a 2020 Toyota Corolla need?

You’re not ready to change the oil just yet! Now, it’s time to pick out the type of oil your Corolla needs—

Toyota

recommends using Toyota motor oil that’s fully synthetic. It’s certified at a lower viscosity, so it stays thin and pumps better in cold conditions. Plus, it’s more efficient than conventional motor oil.

For a 1.8-liter engine, buy 0W-20 motor oil. If you can’t find this on the shelves, get 5W-20 oil instead. Just remember to switch back to 0W-20 oil at the next oil change.

For a 2.0-liter engine, pick up 0W-16 motor oil. This guarantees the best starting in cold conditions and improves fuel economy for this powerful engine. If you can’t find 0W-16, get 0W-20 and switch back to 0W-16 for the following oil change.

So what do all those numbers mean? The 0 before “W” (which stands for “winter”) means the oil stays thin and flows to critical engine parts faster than other motor oils, even at freezing cold temperatures. The 20 shows that the oil is also pretty thin even when the engine temperature reaches 212°F.

Newer engines, like the one in your 2020 Corolla, are smaller and run hotter than older engines, which is why 0W-16 or 0W-20 oil is recommended.

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How often to change the oil on a 2020 Toyota Corolla

The oil that Toyota recommends is fully synthetic, which is designed to last longer and be more efficient than conventional motor oil. It also means you can drive 7,500 to 10,000 miles before changing the oil! Note that the recommended oil type isn’t available as conventional motor oil (which typically needs replacing every 3,000 to 5,000 miles).

If you’re unsure whether it’s time to change the oil, check it once a month or every other time you refuel. Look for any of these signs that it’s time for an oil change:

The oil looks dark brown or black instead of pale brown or amber.

The oil feels gritty or sandy when you rub it between your fingers.

You hear strange engine sounds.

You smell oil, smoke, or burning.

Your car handles differently.

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How to change your oil and oil filter

Okay, so your Corolla needs an oil change, and you’re ready to head to the garage. First, grab a socket wrench, a drain pan, a filter wrench, a replacement filter, and the recommended motor oil. Changing oil is a messy job, so have some old cloths or rags for wiping your hands.

Turn on your Corolla’s engine and run it for five minutes to warm up the oil so it’s easier to drain. Then, switch off the engine,

open the hood of your car

, and follow these basic steps:

Unscrew the oil fill cap and put it aside so you won’t lose it.

Slide under the vehicle and place the drain pan under the engine.

Remove the oil drain bolt and washer.

Let the old oil drain into the pan and remove the old filter.

Install the new filter.

Swap out the oil drain bolt with a new washer and tighten it to 27 lb-ft.

Pour in new engine oil and screw on the oil fill cap.

Get out from under the car and turn on the engine. Let it run for about half a minute, so the new filter absorbs some of the new oil. You should see the

oil pressure indicator light

switch off within five seconds—if it doesn’t, turn off the engine and check under the car to see if everything is in place and tight.

Be sure to check for leaks, too! Next, pull out the dipstick to see if you’ve added enough new oil. If it looks a little low, top it off.

That just leaves clean up. Transfer the old oil to a sealed container and take it to your local recycling center. Never pour used oil on the ground or toss it in the trash.

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