2.7 Oil change

Hello,

Just got a new to me Tacoma and took it to the dealership for an oil change the other day. yesterday while driving i notice blue smoke coming out of the exhaust. I check the oil and its way overfilled. A Solid 2-3 inches over the fill line on the dipstick.

I look back at the receipt and notice they charged me for 7 quarts, so I call the dealership to confirm how much oil they put in. They tell me they cant remember but if it says 7 quarts on the receipt, thats what they put in.

So I drain the oil out and sure enough about 7 quarts drain out of the pan (didn't touch the filter).

So my question is, how much oil does the standard OEM Tacoma filter usually hold and how much do I add? The dipstick is absolutely worthless and I cannot get a clear reading.

 

In total, my 2.7 (inc filter) takes around 5.5 quarts.

I dump in a 5-quart just after putting on the new filter, spin the motor a few seconds to circulate the fluid, let it sit 2 minutes, and then top off with a quart container. About half of it or so and we're in good shape. Then I put that aside to use with the next change and its usually get about perfect.

 

the manual says 6.1 quart with filter, I use 5.5 quarts with filter

 

Thanks for the replies.

Ended up taking a 5 quart jug to bring the level to the top of the fill line. Probably the worst dipstick Ive ever used.

Also, never had a car that uses

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

0w-20 oil. When I first drained it I thought I accidentally drained the wrong fluid. Thats some thin stuff.

 

Not sure what year yours is, but in my 2006, I use the 5w-30 and it works well. You must live at the ass end of the world to need 0 weight. And this is coming for a native Wisconsinite!

 

My 2004 2.7 takes around 5 quarts but it depends on how level the concrete is where I change it. If it's level it can take 5.5 qts with the oil filter filled. The best thing to do is follow the dip stick. That's what the dealers do from what I have read. I fill the filter until it's full and then add 5 qts. On level ground if I can find it. Then I run it and check it on level ground by the dipstick. Add or subtract as needed. Very rarely can I get it just right. At this point in time the dipstick reads about 1/2 qt. high and there is no problem at all since it usually reads high except when I get it just right. From what I have observed a half a qt high or low doesn't hurt anything.

Trust the dip stick on level ground.

 

this is what I do, from what I read if you use the recommended 6.1 quarts it will be well over the dipstick FULL line, where 5.5 qts. works with the proper dipstick reading

 

That is on the '13 not the 2016 right? I believe I read in the manual the '16 requires 6.2 quarts.

 

most 2.7l 4 bangers are overfilled with 6.1 qts. says the dipstick not quite sure if Toyota remedy this for the 2016

 

I'll find out in November when I go in for one of my 2 free oil changes. I know the oil level is hard to see on the stick. A guy told me he pulls his out for 10 minutes or so till the oil runs out of the tube, then checks it. I have been going by "Faith" myself, (That it has oil in it)

 

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I got the hang of reading the dipstick its a little more harder when the oil is clean, but after a few miles when it gets darker you can see it better when I use 5.5qts. its pretty much dead money full on the dipstick, I am running a 10k OCI on my truck with MOBIL1 EP formula and an OEM YZZD3 filter its too much a pain doing it every 5k miles, I probably have the oil analyzed but maybe not, Im searching online to see if anyone does this extended OCI with their 2.7l.

 

I go by the manual and fill the recommended 6qts. No issues at all.

 

Did the dealership say where they got "7 quarts" as the correct capacity? That's what I would be wondering.

Agreed, the dipstick is not the best ever designed. Here's what I do. Pull out the stick and keep it out for about 10 minutes while all the oil drains from the dipstick tube down into the pan. This is the real problem: when you pull out the stick, it smears oil on the inside of the dipstick tube. So if you insert a clean stick right away, the stick gets oil all along the bottom length and a good reading is difficult. So if you keep the stick out, and wait for the oil to drain out of the tube, your next reading will be clearer.

The manual for my 2006 says to add engine oil "if the oil level is below or only slightly above the low level." In my experience, an oil level anywhere between the two marks is fine *for normal driving.* Some people insist that the oil level be at the top mark but it is not necessary. Maybe if I did a lot of towing, hauling, off-roading, etc. I would fill it to the top mark. But I don't. With a new filter, one 5-quart jug fills it to the middle between the marks. Done.

 

The 2016 manual says the same thing about the safe level between the dots on the dipstick. And I'm going to try the way you described checking the oil by leaving the dipstick out for 10 minutes.