2018 Tacoma SR5 V6 oil change

Hi All,

I just completed my first on change on my 3.5 V6 Tacoma and I’m wondering if any of you have had a hard time getting the correct amount of oil back in the engine. My truck has the tow package thus the manual calls for 6.2 quarts with filter however I’m finding I have to put in 6.3qts to get just below the full line on the dipstick which I find strange. I swapped the oil filter housing for an aluminum one so I don’t know if that’s what’s causing it to require slightly more or not or if perhaps residual oil is lingering in the valve train and / or filler neck and the small adjustments are just not showing up on the dipstick.

Here’s what I did step by step:

1. Completed the oil change, completely drained oil from the pan and filter housing and replaced filter and reinstalled the drain plug

2. Refilled oil with 6 quarts to start with, started and ran the engine to operating temp and shut down, removed the dipstick and allowed the oil to drain back into the sump

3. Checked the oil level and it read about a third to a quarter of a quart low.

4. Added .2 quarts per manual recommendation and found the leve was still slightly below full, did not restart the truck at this point.

5. Added .1 quarts and the dipstick is now reading right at full maybe marginally less than full.

I’ve double checked and triple checked for leaks and I can’t find anything, maybe I’m being a bit OCD about it but if the manual calls for 6.2 quarts that’s what it should be exactly. Right???

What do y’all think? Please share your experiences.

Side note: I allowed the dipstick tube to drain back with the dipstick removed for 10 minutes or longer each time before rechecking the oil level thus the oil isn’t wicking up the tube or causing false readings, I’ve read folks having problems with this in the past but that’s for another discussion.

 

I use 6.2 and its all good, I usually wait till the next morning to check oil to give everything time to settle.

 

Just follow what the manual says.

$52 0w20 oil Toyota/ exxon mobil Case of 6 Quarts Full Synthetic TGMO SN 0W-20 Oil

0w20 oil has certain reactions to the temperature of the oil. Once warmed up good it expands like transmission fluid. It’s also possible that the filter cup you replaced may hold a little more oil. Was it a Toyota part ?

 

Thanks for the quick response, yeah I’ll check it out tomorrow morning and see where it ends up, if anything I’ll be barely over.

 

Yeah it’s a Toyota OEM part, doesn’t appear any larger than the plastic one that was on there.

 

That’s good then- don’t worry about the level just put the 6.2 that the manual says. I manage a Express maintenance department that services at least 500 Toyota vehicles a week and have been to class with Toyota instructors that informed us about the

$52 0w20 oil Toyota/ exxon mobil Case of 6 Quarts Full Synthetic TGMO SN 0W-20 Oil

0w20 oil. Actually the Tundra with the 5.7 calls for 7.9 quarts but when we pull dipstick it usually shows it being slightly low but we leave it alone

 

You're being really picky, in reality if the oil is within the low and full hash marks it's fine. Half a quart won't make any difference.

 

I would put in the recommended amount, run it and then check when cold. You will probably find it closer to correct. But, the engine could care less with a tenth of a quart missing.

 

6 quarts and your good. No need for .2 quarts honesty. As long as it’s between the hash marks you’re fine.

 

Yep, this right here ^^^^^

6 qts and call it good.

 

This is probably going to sound overly paranoid but would there be any issue with there being 6.3 instead of 6.2 quarts in there?

 

No

 

OP, you are overthinking this.

 

I like living on the edge I only put 6 quarts of oil back in and not 6.2

 

For anyone doing there own... a trip to local toyota parts for 2 OEM filters, crush washers, 64mm filter housing cup wrench, and 7 quarts of oil was $59.

Pricing out the same on Amazon was $89.

Plus I don't have to wait 2 days for shipping.