Oil Change Question

Hey guys,

I know these are two dumb questions but I gotta ask any way..

I have a 2013 Base Model 4 cylinder, the manual calls for 6.1 qts but then says 5.1 imp qts....which one is right? How much oil does mine take?

Also, how do I know which is the OIL drain plug and which is the TRANSMISSION drain plug... how can I be sure which is which?

Thanks Guys!

 

Both are correct, you buy quarts, not imperial quarts. I find 6.1 overfills and only put in 5.5 to hit full dipstick.

Access the oil drain plug from the front of the truck and you can go wrong.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WDxBE1r7uk

 

Rounded off, 6.1 quarts equals 5.1 imperial quarts. These are two different measuring systems. Most oil containers in the US use the quart system; read the label to make sure. Use an online converter to convert from one to the other. 6.1 quarts actually equals 5.078 imperial quarts.

As for the oil plug vs the trany plug. It's very simple: the oil plug is on the oil pan which is at the bottom of the engine block; whereas, the trany plug is on the trany pan which is at the bottom of the transmission. If you are still uncertain, pick a plug and slowly loosen it until you get a small leak. Use a clean paper towel to soak up the fluid; trany fluid will show as red and engine oil will show as anything but red.

 

Oil plug is behind or above front skid plate. Tranny plug is under center console in cab.

 

Its great to do your own maint. If your a newbee get a friend to show you the proper way to change oil, We have heard of guys removing the transmission plug by mistake several times. To put oil back in the transmission is a TRICKY JOB.........GOOD LUCK

 

I was actually worried about this after reading this forum and all the fuck ups on draining transmission fluid when trying to change oil. I laid down under the truck and thought to myself, how do people fuck this up? One is clearly on the engine and the other is clearly on the transmission.

Takes all types I assume.

 

And I thought the "Engine overheats, coolant level drops" thread was strange.

Thanks for posting this. Still recovering from all of the belly-slapping laughter.

 

Thanks for the help guys! Do you guys usually use the full 6.1 qts? I feel like just using 6 qts would be enough, am I right?

 

I may be the only 2.7L owner to comment on this thread. I use 5.5 as stated before, you'll find that pretty common, 6 or 6.1 puts you way over the line. I've also never heard of anyone with the 2.7L accidentally drain there transmission by mistake, only V6. Again access the drain plug from the front instead of from behind the front wheels and you can't go wrong.

 

I just use 6 and let it roll. The 0.1 quart of oil isn't even a thought.

 

I use 5.5 qts, you're fine using just 6, dont worry about the extra 0.1.

 

Thanks everyone for the replies. I don't have a lot of money so I have to keep my truck running good as long as I can, and am always checking to make sure I'm not screwing things up. Thanks!

 

There are some threads out there about the accuracy of the dipstick and whether or not an oil change with filter requires 6.1 qts of oil. According to my findings, an oil change with filter will put me a few tick marks over full on the dipstick with 5.5 qts.

See here for my results.

 

I put 6 in but I'm going to do 5.5 on my next oil change. The 4 cylinder section of this forum has a great first time oil change thread with pictures. Could also pick up a Haynes manual as well.

 

I feel I've grown as a human being since then.

 

An oil change is as simple as it get's there are only two drain plugs down there so you have a 50/50 chance of getting it right. LOL
The quarts amount required is merely a guide the proper way to refill is keep checking the dipstick as you get closer to your required level. Do not overfill or you'll get crank seal leakage, well on the 2nd gen 6 cylinder Tacomas you do.

 

Yeah but the potential fuckup for a new shade tree mechanic is pretty major since it's a sealed Transmission.

 

Did the oil change with 5.5 qts of oil, and learned that Toyota put the oil filter in the 4 cylinder Tacoma in a dumbf*** location....thanks all for the help.

 

Filter location is

Oil filter location isn't bad at all to me. Even with the 5-lug I roll under with my creeper and use an oil filter socket wrench with a 8 inch extension.

No big deal.