Maintain your Toyota sedan with quality engine oil. This routine maintenance task seems straightforward, but the oil weight and brand you choose matters. Find out how to compare oil types, how often you should change your oil and where you can shop for the engine oil your favorite Toyota sedan deserves.
While putting the wrong oil into your car isn’t quite as bad as putting the wrong fuel in the car, it’s still important to get it right. Just the same as you wouldn’t fill your petrol car with diesel, you need to fill it with the correct oil!
What Type of Oil Does Toyota Sedan Use?
The different Toyota sedans use different oil types. The optimal oil type can also change from year to year, so there isn’t one perfect type for all Toyota cars. Use an online VIN lookup tool or ask a local auto parts store professional for the right type for your specific vehicle.
For example, the best 2009 Toyota Camry oil type is 5W-30. The 2010 Toyota Corolla oil type, however, is 5W-20.
The oil weight affects its viscosity in hot and cold operating temperatures. Using the wrong oil type could cause excessive wear and damage your engine.
Once you find the right oil weight, you should compare oil types. New vehicles typically use full synthetic oil, but your Toyota may use conventional or synthetic blend oil. Only use the oil type recommended in your owner’s manual or by a trusted auto parts store representative.
How Often Should You Change Your Oil?
Most Toyota sedans should receive an oil change between 5,000 and 7,500, depending on your driving habits. If you don’t drive frequently, consider an oil change every six months.
These are only estimates, so be sure to watch for signs that your car needs an oil change. Here are some typically signs that you may need to change your oil more frequently:
- Your oil is excessively thick or dark
- Your oil level is low
- Your check engine light is on
- Your engine isn’t operating as smoothly or efficiently as normal
You shouldn’t always wait until you notice one of these signs to change the oil in your car. Some, like engine performance issues, are signs that your old oil is already causing excessive engine wear.
Keep track of the time and mileage of your oil. Be sure you also change the oil filter after every change and safely dispose of your used engine oil.
Benefits of Routine Oil Changes
You can enjoy a smoother ride and improved engine lifetime with frequent oil changes. Changing your own engine oil can also help you save money on this routine maintenance task. If you drive more than 7,500 every six months, then you have even more opportunities to reduce your maintenance costs.
As you change your oil, spend some time inspecting your sedan. An oil change requires you to jack up the front end of your Toyota and safely put it on jack stands. This is a great time to inspect your tires, suspension system and other components.
How To Shop for Toyota Sedan Engine Oil
Stay ahead of oil changes and other routine automotive maintenance tasks with the help of a leading online store. Enjoy great prices and a convenient ordering process to maintain your vehicle at the right price.