We’re here to break down what you should know about the latest 2023 Toyota Tacoma’s oil capacity, from how much it takes to what type to use, and how you can save money on maintenance by changing the oil yourself.

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2023 Toyota Tacoma engine oil capacity

Let’s begin with the big question: just how much engine oil does a 2023 Toyota Tacoma need?

That answer depends on exactly what type of engine your Tacoma has. For the Tacoma’s standard 2.7-liter, four-cylinder engine, you’ll need to use 6.2 quarts, or 5.9 liters, of engine oil in the tank.

But what about the larger, 3.5-liter V6 engine? Good news—it’s still 6.2 quarts.

Just make sure you don’t confuse your engine’s displacement (the amount of volume your I-4 or V6 takes up underneath the hood) with its engine oil capacity (how much oil the engine needs to run).

What kind of oil does a 2023 Toyota Tacoma need?

Now you know how much oil your Tacoma needs—but you should also know your Tacoma’s oil type. Believe it or not, not all engine oils are made the same—and they won’t all perform the same in your truck’s engine, either.

For the 2023 Tacoma, Toyota recommends using SAE 0W-20 Toyota Genuine Motor Oil or an equivalent—but if you can’t get your hands on a bottle of 0W-20, Toyota says 5W-20 can work as a temporary substitute. Then, you’ll want to switch back to 0W-20 at your next oil change.

What exactly do all those letters and numbers mean? The numbers indicate an oil’s viscosity (e.g. how thick or thin it is), while the “W” simply stands for winter. A viscosity grade of zero means this particular kind of oil is thinner than most—and, as a result, will perform better under winter weather conditions.

Similarly, the number “20” in a 0W-20 oil grade refers to its viscosity at high temperatures. Low-viscosity oil generally causes less wear and tear to your engine over time—but if you use your truck to tow extreme loads, you may want to consider using a higher-viscosity oil.

And what about the meaning of SAE? These letters simply stand for the Society of Automotive Engineers, which is the entity that codes oil viscosity.

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How often to change oil on a 2023 Toyota Tacoma

As a general rule of thumb, you should be changing your Toyota Tacoma’s oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. But if you’re using a synthetic motor oil, you can likely go longer between oil changes (between 7,500 and 10,000 miles), as synthetic blends need less frequent changing.

But those are pretty big mileage ranges—so it’s a good idea to make a regular habit of checking your engine oil levels.

If you have a hard time keeping track of your oil changes, your truck may also let you know when it’s due when your oil change reminder lights up. Look out for the following signs that your oil needs to be changed:

Motor oil that is dark brown or black in color

The engine oil’s texture is

coarse or gritty

Worsening vehicle performance

Unfamiliar engine noises, which could mean parts are under-lubricated

Burning or oil odors

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How to change your oil and oil filter

Once you’ve determined that it’s time to change your Toyota Tacoma’s oil, you can bring your truck to just about any local auto shop, where a mechanic could charge around $130 to perform the service, depending on where you live. Or you could save money by changing the oil yourself at home.

If you’re going the DIY route, here’s what you’ll need: a socket wrench, a drain pan, and a filter wrench designed to remove the old oil filter. And, of course, don’t forget to buy a replacement filter and seven quarts of premium 0W-20 engine oil.

Engine oil is easiest to change when it’s warm—so you can start things off by running the engine for a couple of minutes until it reaches its normal operating temperature. Once you’re there, shut the engine back off, pop the hood, and follow these steps:

Remove the oil fill cap, located on the left-hand side of the engine bay.

Get underneath the engine to remove the oil drain bolt and washer, positioning your drain pan to catch the dirty oil.

Allow the old oil to drain into the drain pan.

Remove the old oil filter (you can do this even as the oil continues to drain).

Install the new filter.

Replace the oil drain bolt (don’t forget to use a new washer!) and tighten to your truck’s torque specifications

Refill the engine with your new 0W-20 engine oil and replace the fill cap

Once you’ve replaced the fill cap, turn your engine back on for a minute or so in order to allow fresh oil to soak into the new filter. If you’ve done everything right, your dashboard’s

oil pressure light

should turn off.

Last but not least: clean-up! Your owner’s manual will tell you not to dump dirty oil out on the ground or in the garbage can—and this is a suggestion you should definitely heed. Instead, you should place used engine oil in a sealed container and bring it to a local recycling center for proper disposal.

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