It’s affordable, it’s reliable, it’s efficient: it’s the 2021 Toyota Corolla. There’s a reason this compact car is so popular year after year—but to keep it running smoothly, you’ll need to stay on top of oil changes. For that, you’ll need either 4.4 quarts or 4.9 quarts of oil.

Between its versatility and accessibility, the Toyota Corolla offers an irresistible package. On top of that, Toyotas are generally cheaper to maintain, too—but that doesn’t mean you couldn’t stand to cut back your maintenance costs. An easy way to do that? Change your own oil.

Before you embark on that mission, you’ll need to know a few details about your 2021 Toyota Corolla. Lucky for you, we’ve got the answers right here. We’ll go over everything from oil capacity and oil grade to step-by-step instructions to changing your Corolla’s oil yourself.

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2021 Toyota Corolla engine oil capacity

Let’s cut to the chase: exactly how much engine oil does a 2021 Toyota Corolla require?

Depending on which engine you have, the 2021 Toyota Corolla will either need 4.4 quarts or 4.9 quarts. If you drive a Corolla trim equipped with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, you’ll need 4.9 quarts of oil at every oil change, while trims fitted with the 1.8-liter engine will require just 4.4 quarts.

It’s crucial that you don’t confuse your engine’s displacement (the 1.8 or 2.0 volume that the four cylinders take up) with the engine’s oil capacity. If you mix these numbers up, your engine won’t have the right amount of oil—which could lead to your engine overheating.

What kind of oil does a 2021 Toyota Corolla need?

So, now you know how much oil you need for your Corolla, but what kind of oil do you need? That’s right—there are different types of oil! You can’t just grab a random five-quart bottle to put into your Corolla.

Your Toyota Corolla owner’s manual recommends using

Toyota Genuine

full-synthetic SAE 0W-20 motor oil—but any full-synthetic oil of the same viscosity should do the trick. If SAE 0W-20 isn’t available, you can use SAE 5W-20 as long as you use the proper oil with the next oil change.

If those letters and numbers look like a secret code, we can help decode it for you. The numbers in that code refer to the oil’s viscosity, or how thick the oil is.

The W stands for winter, so this number tells us the oil has a very low viscosity in freezing temperatures, and the 20 tells us that it’s still pretty thin at boiling hot temperatures. The SAE stands for Society of Automotive Engineers, which is the association that decides an oil’s viscosity.

What about conventional oil? While Toyota recommends using a high-quality full-synthetic oil, conventional oil or a synthetic blend can also be used in your Corolla—you’ll just need to change your oil more often.

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How often to change the oil on a 2021 Toyota Corolla

Now that you know the basics of your 2021 Toyota Corolla oil, it’s time to take it to the next level and

change your oil

—right?

Maybe! Toyota recommends that you change the oil in your Corolla every 7,500 to 10,000 miles if you’re using the recommended full-synthetic oil, but you’ll need to change your oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles if you use conventional oil. If you can’t keep up with mileage, a good rule of thumb is to change your oil every six months.

To stay on top of things and to keep your engine healthy, it’s best to check your oil about once a month so you can catch any issues early on. If you notice any of the following, it’s time to get your oil changed:

Your oil is dark brown or black (clean oil is light brown and translucent, like a cup of tea.)

Your oil has a coarse or gritty consistency

You hear unfamiliar noises from the engine

You’re smelling unpleasant odors like oil, smoke, or burning

You notice changes in your vehicle’s performance

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How to change your oil and oil filter

So you’ve decided your Corolla needs an oil change, and you’re ready to conquer the task—let’s get to it. First, you’ll need to gather your materials. You’ll need:

Ramps or two jack stands

10mm socket with a 1/4-inch drive ratchet or Phillips head screwdriver

14mm socket with a 3/8-inch drive ratchet

A drain pan

A funnel

A filter wrench

A torque wrench (optional)

Of course, you’ll also need SAE 0W-20 synthetic oil and a replacement filter.

You’ll start the process by warming up your engine for a few minutes while it reaches operating temperature. Then put the car in park, cut the engine, and follow these steps:

Pop your hood, twist off the oil cap, and partially remove your dipstick about an inch

Raise your vehicle using the ramps or jacks and remove the Corolla’s skidplate with the 10mm socket or screwdriver

Identify the black metal oil pan and remove the silver drain bolt from the pan

Loosen the oil drain bolt with the 14mm wrench

Let the old oil drain, being careful not to touch the hot oil

Install your new oil filter, lubricating the O-ring with a bit of oil first

Replace the oil drain bolt with a new washer, tightening it to 27 lb-ft if you have a torque wrench

Slowly pour in your new oil with the funnel before replacing the oil cap

When you’re done, turn on your Corolla and let it run for about 30 seconds, allowing the new oil to fill the filter. Use this time to check for any leaks. If all has gone to plan, your dashboard’s

oil pressure light

should switch off.

There’s one last step: cleaning up. It’s important not to dump your old oil on the ground or throw it in your garbage. The easiest way to dispose of it is to put it in the bottle your new oil came in, then take it to a local recycling center, automotive store, or repair shop.

MORE: Recommended maintenance schedule for a Toyota

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