Question For DIYers On Oil Change: Oil Capacity Incorrect on 2.7?

I have a 2015 Pre-Runner with the 2.7.

The first few times the oil was changed by Toyota.

The last few oil changes were done by me. The oil capacity appears to be far lower than the stated 6.1 quarts in the manual. I am only getting 4.8 quarts in there before I am at the upper marker on the dipstick. This has been consistent for a few oil changes now.

This seems way off to me. I have changed oil on lots of different cars over the years and I've seen stated capacity off slightly due to various factors but never have I seen it off this far before.

Am I the only one or does everyone else just dump 6.1 quarts in there and then not even bother looking at the dipstick? I am anal about my oil changes and I want this to be right. It just seems like a difference of 1.3 quarts is pretty extreme. This also might explain why every time Toyota changed the oil, it was WAAAAY overfilled. They were lazy and just used 6.1 quarts without even checking.

NOTE: All oil changes include the oil filter. All changes/checks are done on a flat surface. All oil is drained from the truck prior to refill.

Any input here is appreciated.

Thanks

 

There are a billion posts about this and lots of debate about what the right thing to do is.

First things first though, when you say 4.8, are you running the engine then letting it cool then checking it? I think if you do this you'll find it's actually full after about 5.5 quarts. Still a discrepancy from the manual's stated 6.1, but not as bad.

That all said, I put in 6 quarts every time and call it good. I'm about 1/4" high on the dipstick when I do this which I'm frankly not worried about. Some people agree with me, some people act like I'm drowning puppies.

 

There is no "right" in oil capacity. There is 1. Not enough 2. Enough and 3. Way too much. The areas between 1 2 and 2 3 are pretty gray, there is no hard line. You don't hit 3 unless you're adding a whole lot more than specified. A half quart isn't going to cause issues beyond some foaming.

Techs etc will put in the amount specified and that's it. They have no way of knowing if your dipstick is correct, they just know that toyota spent millions on you enfine and have a pretty good idea what the volume is. And they also know that my 1st line is true.

 

I ran 6 quarts in my 2008 2.7 for nearly 60k before trading it in. I never had an engine problem. They say it’s better to be slightly low than to overfill. Too much oil can cause aeration around the bearings. Obviously, too little oil can cause damage as well.

 

I've changed my oil 9 times now in 1.5 years (I drive a lot) and 5qts gets me to the top of the dip stick every time.

 

I use the bigger filter and 6 quarts and the oil line on the dip stick is right in the middle.

 

To follow up questions here:

I'm using the Toyota brand oil filter.

I always drive it for a day after refill. Then I check the stick after it has sat for at least 10 minutes.

I've decided to add a little. I'm going to just make it an even 5 quarts from now on since it's easier to just add one jug rather than measure. It's probably 1/4 inch high on the stick with 5 quarts but I'm going to venture a guess that the Toyota engineers were more accurate with their assessment of 6.1 quarts and that my dipstick is just off a little.

Thanks for the input from all. Nice to see that I'm not the only one with this issue.

 

Can you share what the extended filter parts number is?

 

The standard oil filter is :

$58 90915-yzzd1 Oil Filter 1 Case (QTY 10)

90915-yzzd1
The alternate larger filter is :

$54 90915-YZZD3 Oil Filter 1 Case (QTY 10)

90915-YZZD3 this filter is a little bit longer so it has more filtering media.

 

I have another trick. I use the Mobil 1 0-20 and the 1qt bottle screws into the oil fil, I cut the bottom off the container and have a disposable funnel.

 

How to you empty the first container that you cut without a funnel to start?

 

I have been using 5.5 quarts. I change my oil every 5k. No issues.

 

LOL

That empty qt container is grabbed from the recycling or from a friend's oil change disposables.
Or cut a 2L soda bottle (wide body, narrow neck).
Or just use a FUNNEL HAhahaa