2011 Toyota Prius Engine Oil Capacity
A 2011 Toyota Prius has an engine oil capacity of 4.4 quarts. The owner’s manual recommends changing the oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.
Written by Mary Cahill
Reviewed by Christelle Agustin
The Toyota Prius continues to be the cornerstone of hybrid vehicles with an engine that can hold 4.4 quarts of oil.
Most hybrid owners are concerned with how many miles per gallon their vehicle gets, but those numbers are only there to stay with regular car maintenance. That’s why you'll also need to know the importance of oil changes and exactly how much oil their engine takes.
To help you understand your 2011 Toyota Prius engine oil capacity, we’ll show you how to keep your engine happy and healthy for as long as possible. We’ll discuss what kind of oil you should be using, how much is required, and how you can save money by changing your Prius’ oil on your own. Let’s jump in!
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All trims of the 2011 Toyota Prius contain a 1.8-liter gas/electric hybrid four-cylinder engine. There’s no doubt that Prius owners are loving the 50 combined MPGs they’re getting with this sporty
hatchback
, which is kept running smoothly by an engine oil capacity of 4.4 quarts. Pro Tip Your engine should never have too much or too little motor oil—keeping the oil at 4.4 quarts will help prevent avoidable (and expensive) engine damage.
What kind of oil does a 2011 Toyota Prius need?
Understanding engine oil capacity is step one. Step two is knowing which kind of oil to buy for your Prius.
The 2011 Prius owner’s manual recommends using
Toyota Genuine SAE 0W-20 Full-Synthetic Motor Oil
. If you’re having trouble finding this Toyota-approved oil, you could also use Mobil 1 Extended Performance 0W-20 Full Synthetic Motor Oil
. And if you have high mileage, you can opt for Mobil 1 High Mileage 0W-20 Full Synthetic Motor Oil
, which is geared towards vehicles with at least 75,000 miles on the odometer.If you’re wondering what “0W-20” means—you won’t have to wonder any longer! This is a code assigned by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and indicates an oil’s viscosity—a.k.a. how thick it is.
0W-20 describes an engine oil that performs well in both very cold and very hot temperatures. The “0” indicates that this oil will maintain a thin viscosity at 0°F in the wintertime “W,” while the “20” means it can withstand temps up to 212°F. Drivers who reside in colder climates often use 0W-20 engine oil in their vehicles.
How often to change the oil on a 2011 Toyota Prius
Putting the correct amount of the recommended oil in your engine will keep your 2011 Prius running smoothly—but how do you know when the oil should be changed?
The owner’s manual recommends changing your Prius’ oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, but when you’re using full synthetic engine oil, you could probably go a little longer than that. Full synthetic oil is known to run better in your engine and last longer than conventional oil or a synthetic blend.
With all this in mind, you should be checking your oil at least once a month. Pop your hood and use the dipstick to measure the oil level. If it’s looking low, you can top it off—just make sure you’re using the same type of oil that’s already inside!
When you check your oil, you should also be looking at its color and consistency. Clean engine oil is a golden amber color with some translucency to it. If you notice the oil has become very dark brown or black or has taken on a gritty or sludgy texture it’s super dirty and needs to be changed out.
Other signs that you’re overdue for an oil change are:
- Troubling engine sounds—like clunking
- Compromised vehicle performance
- Smells coming from underneath the hood—like oil, smoke, or burning
MORE: Are Toyotas expensive to maintain?
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How to change your oil and oil filter
If you’ve never changed your Prius’ oil on your own, but are willing to try, we’re here to help. We cannot stress enough how important safety is when changing the oil on a car!
Before you change your oil, park your car on a level surface. You can then use a jack to raise it, followed by jack stands or ramps to secure your vehicle’s raised position. Note that you should never get underneath a raised vehicle that’s only supported by a jack. For extra protection, wear gloves and eye protection.
Once your Prius is safely raised and you’re suited up, make sure you have the following supplies ready to go:
- 4.4 quarts of motor oil and a funnel
- Nylonoil drain plug gasket
- Oil drain pan
- Shop rags
- Flathead screwdriver
- Ratchet with a 14mm socket
Have everything you need? Let’s get started.
- Grab your screwdriver and remove the three plastic screws securing the underbody plate covering the oil drain plug and oil filter housing cap. Move the plate off to the side.
- Use the socket to loosen the oil drain plug. Position the oil drain pan directly below the opening and allow the oil to drain for several minutes.
- Place the new oil drain plug gasket onto the plug. Manually screw it back in and gently tighten it with the socket. Ensure the old oil drain plug gasket isn’t stuck to the drain before replacing it.
- Loosen the oil filter housing cap with the socket. Place the drain pan below as oil will spill out when the oil filter is removed.
- Replace the old filter and gasket with the new ones. Wipe down the oil filter housing cap and gently retighten it in place.
- Replace the underbody plate and plastic screws, then fill the engine with 4.4 quarts of new oil.
Keep the car running for about a minute, then check the oil level with the dipstick. If the level looks good, go ahead and reset your oil maintenance required light.
To reset it, use the trip button on your steering wheel to select Trip A. Without pressing your foot on the brake, hold the km/MPH button located on the dash near the radio and simultaneously press the engine start button twice. After that, you should see your screen display read: Resetting Oil Maintenance Data and you’re done!
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