The Toyota Sienna is a rarity in the U.S. auto market. For one, it's one of the few remaining minivans being sold today. And for two, with its dual electric motor hybrid powertrain, it's more fuel-efficient than the rest.

Pair that with Toyota's legendary safety and reliability, and you've got a winning combination.

To keep your van working at its best, you’ll have to top it up with engine oil, which lubricates and draws heat from the parts under the hood. To help you out,

Jerry

, the

licensed super app

and

car insurance

expert, has written a guide to the Toyota Sienna Hybrid’s engine oil capacity. Learn how to measure it, when to change it, and how to save on

Toyota insurance costs

below.

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Toyota Sienna engine oil capacity

A Toyota Sienna Hybrid’s engine oil tank holds 4.8 quarts.

Wait a minute, isn't that supposed to be in liters? Nope—you're thinking about engine displacement, or how much space the car's cylinders take up under the hood. The Sienna's 2.5L inline-four engine holds 4.8 quarts of oil in its oil tank.

Putting in 2.5L of oil would only fill it halfway, so don't think of these numbers as interchangeable.

What kind of oil does a Toyota Sienna need?

The

Toyota Sienna Hybrid owner's manual

gives you three options when it comes to topping off your oil:

Toyota Genuine SAE 0W-16 Synthetic Motor Oil, as recommended by the owner’s manual

Any generic SAE 0W-16 synthetic motor oil with an API Certification Seal

If SAE 0W-16 motor oil is not available, use SAE 0W-20 motor oil and replace it with SAE 0W-16 at the next opportunity

Like many automakers, Toyota recommends using its proprietary synthetic motor oil because it stays cleaner longer and performs better with Toyota engines. Toyota dealerships are supposed to use this blend, but it can be hard to find, not to mention more expensive.

For a generic option, look for SAE 0W-16 premium synthetic motor oil. "0W" indicates how well the oil performs in cold weather (hence “W” for “winter”). The lower the number before "W", the higher the oil’s tolerance for cold temperatures, with "0" representing the best cold tolerance.

"SAE" and “16" refer to an oil viscosity rating developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). In contrast to the highly viscous 0W-20 oil that you might have seen before, an oil rated 16 has a low viscosity at higher temperatures. Low-viscosity oils are more common in Asia and have just begun to make their way stateside, which explains their scarcity.

Last but not least, API certification—indicated by a starburst black sticker on the container—means the oil has met industry minimum quality requirements. And yes, as you’ve probably guessed, the organization in charge of inspection is the API or American Petroleum Institute. Follow all these guidelines and your engine will perform better, start faster, and experience less wear and tear over time.

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

How often to change the oil on a Toyota Sienna

How often you should change your oil depends on what kind of oil you use and how often you drive. Here are a few tips:

If you’re using Toyota Genuine Motor Oil or generic oil: Change your oil every 7,500 to 10,000 miles.

If you don’t drive very much: Change your oil every six months.

If you’re using synthetic oil: Change your oil every 7,500 to 10,000 miles.

Checking the oil yourself, however, is the best way to see if it needs a change. You should

check your engine oil

regularly, perhaps once a month or after every refuel. It's likely time for an oil change if you notice any of these signs:

Dirty, dark brown, or black motor oil

Coarse or gritty oil

Unfamiliar engine noises

An oily, smoky, or burning smell

Changes in your car’s performance

MORE:

Are Toyotas expensive to maintain?

How to change your oil and oil filter

Uh-oh. The

oil pressure light

in your Toyota Sienna is on. What should you do?

A socket wrench, drain pan, and filter wrench are all you need to change your oil or oil filter. Purchase at least five quarts of SAE 0W-16 premium synthetic motor oil along with a replacement oil filter, and make sure you’re wearing an old set of clothes before you begin.

The first step is to let your Toyota Sienna's engine run until it reaches a normal operating temperature. It shouldn't take more than five minutes unless it's really cold. Now turn off the engine and prop open the hood. What you need to do is:

Remove the fill cap on top of the oil tank.

Remove the oil drain bolt and washer from the underside of the engine.

Drain the old oil into the drain pan.

Remove the old oil filter and continue to let the oil drain.

Install the new filter.

Replace the oil drain bolt with a new washer and tighten it using 29 lb-ft of torque.

Refill the oil tank and replace the fill cap from the top of the engine.

Let the engine warm up for about 30 seconds before checking the oil level.

Check your Sienna’s oil level with a dipstick, then run it for a few minutes to see if there are any leaks. Your dashboard's oil pressure light should turn off, but if it’s still on, make sure your car is on a level slope so the sensor can properly read the amount of oil in the tank.

Next, you should reset your engine oil maintenance data. Find “Vehicle Settings” on your multi-information display, select “Oil Maintenance”, and then press “OK”. After that, the only thing left to do is clean up. Used oil is a major toxic pollutant, so don’t dump it on the ground or in the garbage. Pour it into a container, seal it, and take it to your local recycling center instead.

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Keeping your car insurance up-to-date is just as important as checking your engine oil. Make

Jerry

your first pit stop if you're looking to add a new car or driver to your policy—you won’t regret it!

As the App Store's favorite insurance app, Jerry's helped thousands of customers save an average of over $800 per year. With over 55 insurance partners (and thousands of products to comparison shopping) finding the best deals is easy. Enter a few coverage deals and he'll provide five to seven competitive quotes in less than a minute. Simply tap and save!