There’s no doubt that the Toyota Corolla has staying power. It was first produced in Japan back in 1966, and there’s a brand-new set rolling off the line in 2023. That said, it’s hardly surprising some drivers are still hitting the streets in their 2008 models. However, those with older cars should know that keeping up a

routine maintenance schedule

is especially important—especially when it comes to an

oil change

Nobody wants to take their car into the shop every three or four months—but the good news is that you don’t have to. Oil changes are a simple service that can be done at home. In this article, we’ll detail how much oil you need, what materials are required, and the steps involved in the process from start to finish.

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2008 Toyota Corolla engine oil capacity

The first thing you’ll need to know before you start is how much

engine oil

you’ll need, and your 2008 Toyota Corolla comes equipped with a 1.8L four-cylinder that takes 4.4 quarts (4.2 liters) of oil. It’s critical to get the right amount, as overfilling or underfilling the engine can cause unnecessary

wear and tear

or even damage your engine outright.

Make sure not to confuse your

engine’s displacement

—the 1.8 liters of volume the cylinders take up—with the oil capacity. If you’re ever unsure about which number you should be using, refer to your owner’s manual.

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What kind of oil does a 2008 Toyota Corolla need?

Apart from the amount of oil, you also want to be sure you’re getting the right type of oil. There are a lot of choices out there, but the best one for your 2008 Toyota Corolla is the one recommended by the manufacturer: ILSAC multigrade

Toyota Genuine Motor Oil SAE 5W-30

. Let’s break down what these terms mean.

ILSAC stands for International Lubricant Specification Advisory Committee, and multigrade simply means that it meets the requirements of multiple grades—in this case, 5W and 30.

You should note that the “W” is short for “winter,” and the two grades refer to temperatures. The first number, five, is how cold it can become before the oil loses its desired viscosity—or thinness. The second number, 30, is how hot it can become before the same outcome. Once the oil is too thick and sludgy to flow properly, your car won’t work as it should.

Don’t worry about the seemingly small range, either—the temperature is not one-to-one. A hot-weather grade of 30 means the oil can withstand temperatures of up to 212°F!

The last bit left to decipher is SAE: Society of Automotive Engineers. This is the entity that codes the oil viscosity.

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How often to change the oil on a 2008 Toyota Corolla

Before you head out to your garage, roll up your sleeves, and get to work changing your oil, you want to be sure it’s even due for a change.

The exact timing will vary depending on certain factors—like whether you use

synthetic or conventional oil

and what your driving habits are. However, you can generally expect to need an oil change every 5,000 miles or every six months, whichever comes first. (If you don’t drive often, we suggest using the six-month mark.)

If you use fully synthetic oil, you may be able to make it longer without needing a change, up to 7,500 or 10,000 miles.

Regardless of which type you use, it’s good practice to continually

check your engine oil

. You can do this in a few easy steps:

Remove your dipstick

Wipe it clean

Reinsert it

Pull it back out and check where the oil line is

If it’s between the minimum and maximum marker, you’re all set!

Making this a part of your routine will not only allow you to check that the level is acceptable, but it will also make you aware of any potential problems. When you check your oil, be sure to look for signs that something has gone wrong, such as:

Coarse or gritty oil

A black or dark brown color (ideally, it should be tan or amber-colored)

A burning smell

Strange noises

A reduction in vehicle performance

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How to change your oil and oil filter

Step one in changing your 2008 Toyota Corolla’s oil is gathering your materials. You will need a drain pan, socket wrench, funnel, and filter wrench. You can also use a jack stand and wheel chocks to lift the car and make it easier to work on. Of course, you’ll also want to grab your new oil and replacement filter as well!

Once you have all these things, the steps are simple:

Run the car for a few minutes to warm up the engine to allow the oil to drain faster

Take off the oil fill cover

Use the socket wrench to remove the drain plug

Let the oil drain into the drain pan

Put the drain plug back on and tighten it to 27 lb-ft

Take out the old filter

Install the new oil filter

Add your fresh oil using the funnel to ensure minimal spillage

Replace the oil fill cap

You’ll want to let the car run for another 30 seconds or so before you check the oil level to give the new oil time to settle. This will give you the most accurate reading possible. Add more oil as necessary.

You’re all set! The only thing left to do is dispose of your old oil. Be sure to put it in a sealed container and take it to a local recycling center. It’s a hazardous material that should not be included with the rest of your household waste!

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