2012 Toyota Tacoma Oil Type & Capacity
The 2012 Toyota Tacoma oil type depends on the engine: the 2.7L takes 0W-20 (5.5 quarts qt with filter); the 4.0L takes 5W-30 (5.5 quarts qt with filter); the 4.0L takes 5W-30 (4.8 quarts qt with filter); the Base, 2D Pickup, 4WD, Automatic Trans takes 0W-20 (5.5 quarts qt with filter); the Base, 2D Pickup, 4WD, Standard Trans takes 0W-20 (5.5 quarts qt with filter); the Base, 2D Pickup, RWD, Automatic Trans takes 0W-20 (5.5 quarts qt with filter); the Base, 2D Pickup, RWD, Standard Trans takes 0W-20 (5.5 quarts qt with filter); the X-Runner takes 5W-30 (4.8 quarts qt with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- 2.7L: 0W-20, 5.5 quarts with filter
- 2.7L: 0W-20, 5.5 quarts with filter
- 2.7L: 0W-20, 5.5 quarts with filter
- 2.7L: 0W-20, 5.5 quarts with filter
- 2.7L: 0W-20, 5.5 quarts with filter
- 2.7L: 0W-20, 5.5 quarts with filter
- 2.7L: 0W-20, 5.5 quarts with filter
- 4.0L: 5W-30, 5.5 quarts with filter
- 4.0L: 5W-30, 5.5 quarts with filter
- 4.0L: 5W-30, 5.5 quarts with filter
- 4.0L: 5W-30, 5.5 quarts with filter
- 4.0L: 5W-30, 4.8 quarts with filter
- 4.0L: 5W-30, 4.8 quarts with filter
- Base, 2D Pickup, 4WD, Automatic Trans: 0W-20, 5.5 quarts with filter
- Base, 2D Pickup, 4WD, Standard Trans: 0W-20, 5.5 quarts with filter
- Base, 2D Pickup, RWD, Automatic Trans: 0W-20, 5.5 quarts with filter
- Base, 2D Pickup, RWD, Standard Trans: 0W-20, 5.5 quarts with filter
- X-Runner: 5W-30, 4.8 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7L — Base, 4D Pickup Extra Cab, 2.7L Eng VIN X, 4WD, Automatic Trans, 2.7L Eng | TOYOTA Genuine Motor Oil. SAE 0W-20 Synthetic Oil | 5.50 QTS. | 5.40 QTS. | SAE 0W-20 is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather. If SAE 0W-20 is not available, SAE 5W-20 may be used, but must be replaced w/ SAE 0W-20 at next change. The fluid capacity is the quantity of reference. |
| 2.7L — Base, 4D Pickup Extra Cab, 2.7L Eng VIN X, 4WD, Standard Trans, 2.7L Eng | TOYOTA Genuine Motor Oil. SAE 0W-20 Synthetic Oil | 5.50 QTS. | 5.40 QTS. | SAE 0W-20 is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather. If SAE 0W-20 is not available, SAE 5W-20 may be used, but must be replaced w/ SAE 0W-20 at next change. The fluid capacity is the quantity of reference. |
| 2.7L — Base, 4D Pickup Extra Cab, 2.7L Eng VIN X, RWD, Standard Trans, 2.7L Eng | TOYOTA Genuine Motor Oil. SAE 0W-20 Synthetic Oil | 5.50 QTS. | 5.40 QTS. | SAE 0W-20 is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather. If SAE 0W-20 is not available, SAE 5W-20 may be used, but must be replaced w/ SAE 0W-20 at next change. The fluid capacity is the quantity of reference. |
| 2.7L — Base, 4D Pickup Extra Cab, 2.7L Eng VIN X, RWD, Automatic Trans, 2.7L Eng | TOYOTA Genuine Motor Oil. SAE 0W-20 Synthetic Oil | 5.50 QTS. | 5.40 QTS. | SAE 0W-20 is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather. If SAE 0W-20 is not available, SAE 5W-20 may be used, but must be replaced w/ SAE 0W-20 at next change. The fluid capacity is the quantity of reference. |
| 2.7L — Base, 4D Pickup, 2.7L Eng VIN X, 2.7L Eng | TOYOTA Genuine Motor Oil. SAE 0W-20 Synthetic Oil | 5.50 QTS. | 5.40 QTS. | SAE 0W-20 is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather. If SAE 0W-20 is not available, SAE 5W-20 may be used, but must be replaced w/ SAE 0W-20 at next change. The fluid capacity is the quantity of reference. |
| 2.7L — PreRunner, 4D Pickup Extra Cab, 2.7L Eng VIN X, 2.7L Eng | TOYOTA Genuine Motor Oil. SAE 0W-20 Synthetic Oil | 5.50 QTS. | 5.40 QTS. | SAE 0W-20 is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather. If SAE 0W-20 is not available, SAE 5W-20 may be used, but must be replaced w/ SAE 0W-20 at next change. The fluid capacity is the quantity of reference. |
| 2.7L — PreRunner, 4D Pickup, 2.7L Eng VIN X, 2.7L Eng | TOYOTA Genuine Motor Oil. SAE 0W-20 Synthetic Oil | 5.50 QTS. | 5.40 QTS. | SAE 0W-20 is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather. If SAE 0W-20 is not available, SAE 5W-20 may be used, but must be replaced w/ SAE 0W-20 at next change. The fluid capacity is the quantity of reference. |
| 4.0L — Base, 4D Pickup Extra Cab, 4.0L Eng VIN U, Automatic Trans, 4.0L Eng,4WD | TOYOTA Genuine Motor Oil. SAE 5W-30 or equivalent ILSAC multigrade oil | 5.50 QTS. | 5.20 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. |
| 4.0L — Base, 4D Pickup Extra Cab, 4.0L Eng VIN U, Standard Trans, 4.0L Eng,4WD | TOYOTA Genuine Motor Oil. SAE 5W-30 or equivalent ILSAC multigrade oil | 5.50 QTS. | 5.20 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. |
| 4.0L — Base, 4D Pickup, 4.0L Eng VIN U, Automatic Trans, 4.0L Eng,4WD | TOYOTA Genuine Motor Oil. SAE 5W-30 or equivalent ILSAC multigrade oil | 5.50 QTS. | 5.20 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. |
| 4.0L — Base, 4D Pickup, 4.0L Eng VIN U, Standard Trans, 4.0L Eng,4WD | TOYOTA Genuine Motor Oil. SAE 5W-30 or equivalent ILSAC multigrade oil | 5.50 QTS. | 5.20 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. |
| 4.0L — PreRunner, 4D Pickup Extra Cab, 4.0L Eng VIN U, 4.0L Eng,RWD | TOYOTA Genuine Motor Oil. SAE 5W-30 or equivalent ILSAC multigrade oil | 4.80 QTS. | 4.40 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. |
| 4.0L — PreRunner, 4D Pickup Extra Cab, 4.0L Eng VIN U, PreRunner,4.0L Eng | TOYOTA Genuine Motor Oil. SAE 5W-30 or equivalent ILSAC multigrade oil | 5.50 QTS. | 5.20 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. |
| 4.0L — PreRunner, 4D Pickup, 4.0L Eng VIN U, 4.0L Eng,RWD | TOYOTA Genuine Motor Oil. SAE 5W-30 or equivalent ILSAC multigrade oil | 4.80 QTS. | 4.40 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. |
| 4.0L — PreRunner, 4D Pickup, 4.0L Eng VIN U, PreRunner,4.0L Eng | TOYOTA Genuine Motor Oil. SAE 5W-30 or equivalent ILSAC multigrade oil | 5.50 QTS. | 5.20 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. |
| Base, 2D Pickup, 4WD, Automatic Trans — 2.7L Eng | TOYOTA Genuine Motor Oil. SAE 0W-20 Synthetic Oil | 5.50 QTS. | 5.40 QTS. | SAE 0W-20 is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather. If SAE 0W-20 is not available, SAE 5W-20 may be used, but must be replaced w/ SAE 0W-20 at next change. The fluid capacity is the quantity of reference. |
| Base, 2D Pickup, 4WD, Standard Trans — 2.7L Eng | TOYOTA Genuine Motor Oil. SAE 0W-20 Synthetic Oil | 5.50 QTS. | 5.40 QTS. | SAE 0W-20 is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather. If SAE 0W-20 is not available, SAE 5W-20 may be used, but must be replaced w/ SAE 0W-20 at next change. The fluid capacity is the quantity of reference. |
| Base, 2D Pickup, RWD, Automatic Trans — 2.7L Eng | TOYOTA Genuine Motor Oil. SAE 0W-20 Synthetic Oil | 5.50 QTS. | 5.40 QTS. | SAE 0W-20 is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather. If SAE 0W-20 is not available, SAE 5W-20 may be used, but must be replaced w/ SAE 0W-20 at next change. The fluid capacity is the quantity of reference. |
| Base, 2D Pickup, RWD, Standard Trans — 2.7L Eng | TOYOTA Genuine Motor Oil. SAE 0W-20 Synthetic Oil | 5.50 QTS. | 5.40 QTS. | SAE 0W-20 is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather. If SAE 0W-20 is not available, SAE 5W-20 may be used, but must be replaced w/ SAE 0W-20 at next change. The fluid capacity is the quantity of reference. |
| X-Runner — 4.0L Eng,RWD | TOYOTA Genuine Motor Oil. SAE 5W-30 or equivalent ILSAC multigrade oil | 4.80 QTS. | 4.40 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. |
More factory specs & repair guides for your Tacoma
🛞 2012 Toyota Tacoma Tire Size & Pressure →🌧️ 2012 Toyota Tacoma Wiper Blade Sizes →💡 2012 Toyota Tacoma Light Bulb Sizes →📖 2012 Toyota Tacoma Factory Service Manual →All fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner network AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
9.1 quarts (8.61 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. The fluid capacity is the quantity of reference.
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 2012 Toyota Tacoma take?
It depends on the engine: 2.7L uses 0W-20; 4.0L uses 5W-30; 4.0L uses 5W-30; Base, 2D Pickup, 4WD, Automatic Trans uses 0W-20; Base, 2D Pickup, 4WD, Standard Trans uses 0W-20; Base, 2D Pickup, RWD, Automatic Trans uses 0W-20; Base, 2D Pickup, RWD, Standard Trans uses 0W-20; X-Runner uses 5W-30.
What is the oil capacity of a 2012 Toyota Tacoma?
Oil capacity depends on the engine: 2.7L holds 5.5 quarts with filter; 4.0L holds 5.5 quarts with filter; 4.0L holds 4.8 quarts with filter; Base, 2D Pickup, 4WD, Automatic Trans holds 5.5 quarts with filter; Base, 2D Pickup, 4WD, Standard Trans holds 5.5 quarts with filter; Base, 2D Pickup, RWD, Automatic Trans holds 5.5 quarts with filter; Base, 2D Pickup, RWD, Standard Trans holds 5.5 quarts with filter; X-Runner holds 4.8 quarts with filter.
How often should I change the oil in my 2012 Toyota Tacoma?
Most 2012 Toyota Tacoma owners follow a 5,000–7,500 mile interval with conventional oil, or up to 10,000 miles with full synthetic. Always check the oil life monitor if equipped, and consult your owner's manual — Toyota recommends intervals based on driving conditions, not just mileage.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 2012 Toyota Tacoma?
Yes. 0W-20 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 2012 Toyota Tacoma. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.
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