2012 Toyota RAV4 Oil Type & Capacity

The 2012 Toyota RAV4 oil type depends on the engine: the 2.5L takes 5W-20 (4.7 quarts with filter); the 2.5L takes 5W-20 (4.7 quarts with filter); the 2.5L takes 5W-20 (4.7 quarts with filter); the 2.5L takes 5W-20 (4.7 quarts with filter); the 2.5L takes 5W-20 (4.7 quarts with filter); the 2.5L takes 5W-20 (4.7 quarts with filter); the 3.5L takes 5W-30 (6.4 quarts with filter); the 3.5L takes 5W-30 (6.4 quarts with filter); the 3.5L takes 5W-30 (6.4 quarts with filter); the 3.5L takes 5W-30 (6.4 quarts with filter); the 3.5L takes 5W-30 (6.4 quarts with filter); the 3.5L takes 5W-30 (6.4 quarts with filter), per the factory service manual.

Factory-spec answer

It depends on the engine:

2.5L: 5W-20, 4.7 quarts with filter
2.5L: 5W-20, 4.7 quarts with filter
2.5L: 5W-20, 4.7 quarts with filter
2.5L: 5W-20, 4.7 quarts with filter
2.5L: 5W-20, 4.7 quarts with filter
2.5L: 5W-20, 4.7 quarts with filter
3.5L: 5W-30, 6.4 quarts with filter
3.5L: 5W-30, 6.4 quarts with filter
3.5L: 5W-30, 6.4 quarts with filter
3.5L: 5W-30, 6.4 quarts with filter
3.5L: 5W-30, 6.4 quarts with filter
3.5L: 5W-30, 6.4 quarts with filter

Oil capacity by engine

Engine	Oil Type (viscosity)	Capacity w/ Filter	Capacity w/o Filter	Notes
2.5L — 2.5L Eng	TOYOTA Genuine Motor Oil SAE 5W-20 or 0W-20 or equivalent ILSAC multigrade oil	4.70 QTS.	4.20 QTS.	SAE 0W-20 is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather.
2.5L — 2.5L Eng	TOYOTA Genuine Motor Oil SAE 5W-20 or 0W-20 or equivalent ILSAC multigrade oil	4.70 QTS.	4.20 QTS.	SAE 0W-20 is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather.
2.5L — 2.5L Eng	TOYOTA Genuine Motor Oil SAE 5W-20 or 0W-20 or equivalent ILSAC multigrade oil	4.70 QTS.	4.20 QTS.	SAE 0W-20 is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather.
2.5L — 2.5L Eng	TOYOTA Genuine Motor Oil SAE 5W-20 or 0W-20 or equivalent ILSAC multigrade oil	4.70 QTS.	4.20 QTS.	SAE 0W-20 is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather.
2.5L — 2.5L Eng	TOYOTA Genuine Motor Oil SAE 5W-20 or 0W-20 or equivalent ILSAC multigrade oil	4.70 QTS.	4.20 QTS.	SAE 0W-20 is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather.
2.5L — 2.5L Eng	TOYOTA Genuine Motor Oil SAE 5W-20 or 0W-20 or equivalent ILSAC multigrade oil	4.70 QTS.	4.20 QTS.	SAE 0W-20 is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather.
3.5L — 3.5L Eng	TOYOTA Genuine Motor Oil SAE 5W-30 or equivalent ILSAC multigrade oil	6.40 QTS.	6.00 QTS.	SAE 5W-30 is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather. If SAE 5W-30 is not available, SAE 10W-30 oil may be used. However, it should be replaced with SAE 5W-30 at the next oil change.
3.5L — 3.5L Eng	TOYOTA Genuine Motor Oil SAE 5W-30 or equivalent ILSAC multigrade oil	6.40 QTS.	6.00 QTS.	SAE 5W-30 is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather. If SAE 5W-30 is not available, SAE 10W-30 oil may be used. However, it should be replaced with SAE 5W-30 at the next oil change.
3.5L — 3.5L Eng	TOYOTA Genuine Motor Oil SAE 5W-30 or equivalent ILSAC multigrade oil	6.40 QTS.	6.00 QTS.	SAE 5W-30 is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather. If SAE 5W-30 is not available, SAE 10W-30 oil may be used. However, it should be replaced with SAE 5W-30 at the next oil change.
3.5L — 3.5L Eng	TOYOTA Genuine Motor Oil SAE 5W-30 or equivalent ILSAC multigrade oil	6.40 QTS.	6.00 QTS.	SAE 5W-30 is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather. If SAE 5W-30 is not available, SAE 10W-30 oil may be used. However, it should be replaced with SAE 5W-30 at the next oil change.
3.5L — 3.5L Eng	TOYOTA Genuine Motor Oil SAE 5W-30 or equivalent ILSAC multigrade oil	6.40 QTS.	6.00 QTS.	SAE 5W-30 is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather. If SAE 5W-30 is not available, SAE 10W-30 oil may be used. However, it should be replaced with SAE 5W-30 at the next oil change.
3.5L — 3.5L Eng	TOYOTA Genuine Motor Oil SAE 5W-30 or equivalent ILSAC multigrade oil	6.40 QTS.	6.00 QTS.	SAE 5W-30 is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather. If SAE 5W-30 is not available, SAE 10W-30 oil may be used. However, it should be replaced with SAE 5W-30 at the next oil change.

Buy the right oil

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More specs & repair guides for your RAV4

2012 Toyota RAV4 factory service manual All fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)

Coolant capacity

7.2 quarts (6.81 L) — TOYOTA Super Long Life Coolant or similar high-quality ethylene glycol-based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrate and non-borate coolant with long-life hybrid organic acid technology. DO NOT use plain water alone.

Frequently asked questions

What type of oil does a 2012 Toyota RAV4 take?

It depends on the engine: 2.5L uses 5W-20; 2.5L uses 5W-20; 2.5L uses 5W-20; 2.5L uses 5W-20; 2.5L uses 5W-20; 2.5L uses 5W-20; 3.5L uses 5W-30; 3.5L uses 5W-30; 3.5L uses 5W-30; 3.5L uses 5W-30; 3.5L uses 5W-30; 3.5L uses 5W-30.

How much oil does a 2012 Toyota RAV4 take?

Capacity depends on the engine: 2.5L holds 4.7 quarts with filter; 2.5L holds 4.7 quarts with filter; 2.5L holds 4.7 quarts with filter; 2.5L holds 4.7 quarts with filter; 2.5L holds 4.7 quarts with filter; 2.5L holds 4.7 quarts with filter; 3.5L holds 6.4 quarts with filter; 3.5L holds 6.4 quarts with filter; 3.5L holds 6.4 quarts with filter; 3.5L holds 6.4 quarts with filter; 3.5L holds 6.4 quarts with filter; 3.5L holds 6.4 quarts with filter.

Can I use synthetic oil in my 2012 Toyota RAV4?

Yes. 5W-20 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 2012 Toyota RAV4. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.