4 Cylinder Oil Capacity Not Correct In Manual?

I changed my oil recently and used about 5.7 qts with filter. Dipstick is spot on after letting the oil circulate.

 

The capacity is 6.1 quarts. This is for a new engine with no oil in it. When you drain oil, there is still some in the system clinging to the components. It really depends on conditions as to how much will stay in there (temperature, etc ..)

 

When I first got my truck, I did 6 quarts as recommended by the manual, that has me about an inch above full on the dipstick... one 5 QT jug gets me right to full on the stick... so weird. I've changed my oil 7 times in the last year (one of those weirdos that changes ever 5k miles) and 5 quarts is the ticket for me.

 

I wonder what's wrong though, the manual or the dipstick?!

 

This subject has been talked about a lot on this forum. I go by the dipstick. I end up putting anywhere from 5-5.5 qts back in my 2.7. There is always oil left inside during an oil change depending on the "slant" you may be on. I change mine now on a driveway that is pretty steep. I change it, add 5 quarts and then drive it to a level spot somewhere and top it off. I've now figured out that if it's about 1/4" below full on the steep driveway then it's just about perfect. I doubt anyone will ever get a full 6.1 into a 2.7 unless it is a new engine with no oil in it at all. 5.5 qts with a filter change gets me about 1/8" above the full line on the dipstick but that can change depending on how level the spot is that I'm checking it on. As long as I'm within an 1/8 or 1/4 of an inch either way I'm happy.

 

You're correct. A little underfilled is better than overfilled. Overfilled can blow seals. Up to a qt underfilled hurts nothing.

 

From what I have read on this subject the golden rule is to obey dipstick readings. That's what I do and no problems. That is also what the dealers are told to do. I suspect that if you do an oil and filter change on a 2.7 and add 5 qts "after" filling the filter as well you'd be good to go without ever even bothering to check the dipstick.

 

I've owned my 2.7 for 8 years and nearly 100,000 miles, done 98% of the maintenance myself, and the oil change process has become VERY routine. I am so confident that 5 qt will put the level in the middle of the dipstick's normal range, a few times I have actually driven away without ever checking the dipstick. I check for leaks at the filter and the drain plug and of course check the oil light is not on. But otherwise, put on a new filter and dump in 5 quarts and bam - done. I think many of us worry too much about the oil level being exactly at the full mark.

 

Service department puts 6 quarts in and a new filter on mine and calls it good. Works for me.

 

I been putting 5.5 in mine since the 2nd change.198,000 and counting.every 5000 miles so I've changed its lot.

 

I did an oil change at 15k, per here I filled with 5.5qt let her run for a few minutes then checked the dip stick. Put it right on the F mark so I’ll stick with that.

 

I went home from work and let the oil drain for 2 hours, change the filter and fill up 6 qt. Turn the car on 10 minutes and pull the dip stick out let it park overnight and it right at full mark.

 

So I have been told by toyota.....the 4 bangers hav more oil because the gear ratios are lower and it requires higher revs to be driven in traffic than a v6 does at the same speeds. Take that how you will.

 

It's true that after putting in 6 my dipstick reads a tad high. I still put in six (with new filter every time) and call it good. That slight of an "overfill" isn't going to hurt anything.

that said OP 4.6 seems low. Typically people say 5.5-5.75 fills up the 2TR with filter after running it. Did you run the engine a bit after filling then let it sit?

 

I put in 6 quarts per the manual. It's always above the top line on the dipstick. I've had no problems.
You will find many threads on this.

 

I always go by the dipstick (which is completely useless in the Taco). I usually do 5.5 quarts with filter and it reads about a quarter inch above the full line.

 

6qt, send ehht

 

I like to think of it as over engineered, lol...

Oil=Lifeblood of the engine...

Another great thing about the 2.7 if you ask me. I do think the 2.7 has to be working a bit harder to achieve the same results comparatively to the V6.

In reality I believe the most important goal is engine temp which leads to oil temperature as well. Oil does indeed lubricate but it also has some temperature regulating ability. Case in point is my Land Cruiser with the 4.7L holds just over 6 qts IIRC, but has a beautifully designed remote oil filter housing with its own door in the front “skid” aka gravel guard lol... It also is the cooler for the oil and has coolant circulated through it to help cool the oil. It sits barely above the oil pan lever so if you can just change the filter you barely loose @1/2 of oil.

 

2.7 = 5.5 Qts. w/ filter change

 

I'd suspect you are talking about oil/engine temp. My 2.7 runs very cold once the temps get below 30 degrees. Oil temp usually runs about 20 degrees below water temp. I just installed a grill cover last summer because my 2.7 runs way below 180 degrees once the temp drops well below 30 degrees.. It never gets past 179 degrees. Even in the summer sometimes. With the grill cover completely closed I still never see 180 degrees when the ambient temp is below 30 degrees. Before the grill cover? If it got down to 0 degrees I never saw the temp get past 165 degrees.

That's just too cold for a modern day engine. Temps that cold can mess with the emissions systems even on a 2004 engine. With the cover I have installed I can maintain 179 degrees even when the temp drops to well below 30 degrees around town.. I'll have to wait and see how it does once it gets down to 0 and below. I like to see 180degrees when out on the interstate but that never happens even with the cover completely closed at less than 30degrees. Around town I get 180+ with the cover closed below 30 degrees but the temp drops out on the interstate.