2.7L oil capacity

Correct, but unlike a dry sump system, overfilling can bring the oil level high enough so the crank counterweights dip into it.
This windage whips the oil up into a froth, and air whipped into the oil is not good for lubrication and can cause the pump to cavitate.

OTOH, going low reduces the thermal mass of the oil (our engines are oil cooled, the coolant and radiator draw the heat from the block, not the bearings). It also increases the ratio of contaminants in the oil per mile driven. If the oil is extremely low, the pickup may become uncovered during hard cornering or hill climbing, especially off road.

But 1/2 qt + or - is not going to hurt the engine.
Run 5, run 6... your Tacoma will do just fine with anything between the low and high marks on the dipstick.

 

these dipsticks do suck

 

Last oil change I did was with one of the jugs of oil from Walmart.
Just over 5qrts and the dipstick says oil level is full.

 

ya, that's where I got mine ga jug full synthetic for less than 25bucks

 

I have changed the oil on my 2.7 L twice (2012 model) : First I put in 5 quarts, it seemed full, after i drove for an hour then checked the dip stick again, I added a haft more, so 5.5 quarts seems full on the dip stick.

 

I just changed mine two days ago. It took just under 6 qts with the filter. I fill using the dipstick as the gauge. I change it then run it, let it sit for 5 or 10 minutes and then top it off.

 

no no no...........it takes 5.479457834586345709543986368903268754360987 qts with OEM filter at sea level and 5.6803547634089567234098564310956498762457465 qts at 10,000 ft

 

My son changes my oil for me. 6 QTs with filter every time. I don't bother to check the dipstick afterward, it's full.

 

It "seemed" full? 5.5 quarts "seems" full? LOL
Did you check the oil level or not?

For ease and simplicity, on the 2TR-FE we can dump in one 5-qt jug and call it done, no bothering with 1/2 quarts. This brings the level well into the area between the add and full marks, assuming a standard size filter is used. It's not necessary for the level to be exactly at the full mark. Sure it makes some people more comfortable to confirm FULL on the stick but it doesn't make a difference to the engine. As long as it's between the add and full marks, you're golden. That's why that area between the marks is called the safe zone (on some vehicles, this area says "OK" on the stick).

Even under heavy towing or abuse conditions, another 1/2 quart of oil won't make a difference. Unless you have a leak.

 

Better to have too much oil then not enough oil

 

Not always.

 

5 quarts fills mine to the line, thats with filling the filter

 

After checking with the dealer, I decided to go w/ the stated capacity, (6 Qts.) and not worry that the stick show it's too high.

 

The dipstick is off...not sure why Toyota did that though. I use Mobil 1 0W-30. I fill the new oil filter w/ nearly a full quart before re-installing it (2.7L) and then dump the rest of 6 full quarts in the engine. I've only ever used 6 quarts and at 171k miles, the engine is spotless inside and runs flawlessly. I replaced the valve cover gasket 2k miles ago and the mechanic said the engine was totally clean.

 

+1. Let it drain, put in 6 quarts and drive it. I never even look at the dipstick.

 

I did the first oil change my self, measured the amount that poured out including oil filter and it was no where near 6qts, unless Tacomas normally burn a quart of oil during break in...

 

Wouldn't surprise me if it did.

Maybe the oil fill guy was having a bad day and didn't fill it to the top originally? Who knows? They DID however say 6.1 quarts is what is needed for an oil and filter change so that's what mine gets.

 

I am going by the 6.1 and the 5.4
I cannot read the dipstick at all till the oil gets some miles on it. For me, the partial amounts are confusing me a bit, because ive never heard of impartial amounts like this before, no big deal though.
I just changed the oil today, no filter. So had the previous quart from the 6.1 w filter and eyed it to the 5.4

 

Update on amount. My Haynes manual says 5.7 qts for my 3RZ and I just changed the oil and filter. 5.7 qts put the dipstick right on the full mark whereas 6 qts was showing a little past the full mark when I changed it the last time or two.

 

I bet a single 5-quart jug would put it well above the add mark.
I mention this only because I hate dealing with partial quarts...
0.7qt is annoying and IMHO unnecessary so long as the oil level is in the safe zone.