Owner guide · Elgin Toyota · Streamwood, IL
Toyota 4Runner Oil Type and Capacity
The right oil and the right amount, straight from Toyota's 2026 4Runner Owner's Manuals and Warranty & Maintenance Guide, all read October 29, 2026. If you service your 4Runner with us in Streamwood, here is what the manual says to expect.
SAE 0W-20recommended viscosity (ILSAC GF-6A)
5.9 qt.drain and refill with filter (reference)
1.5 qt.from the low mark to the refill upper limit mark
10,000 mior 12 months: oil and filter replacement
What oil does a Toyota 4Runner take, and how much?
For the 2026 4Runner with the 2.4-liter turbocharged gas engine (T24A-FTS), Toyota's owner's manual calls for ILSAC GF-6A multigrade engine oil, SAE 0W-20. A drain and refill takes about 5.9 qt. (5.6 L) with the oil filter, or 5.6 qt. (5.3 L) without it. Toyota calls these reference quantities, so finish by checking the dipstick.
2026 4Runner engine oil specifications
| Item | Owner's manual says |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.4 L 4-cylinder gas engine with turbocharger (T24A-FTS) |
| Oil grade | ILSAC GF-6A multigrade engine oil |
| Recommended viscosity | SAE 0W-20 |
| If 0W-20 is not available | SAE 5W-20 may be used; replace it with 0W-20 at the next oil change |
| Capacity with filter | 5.9 qt. (5.6 L, 4.9 Imp. qt.), reference |
| Capacity without filter | 5.6 qt. (5.3 L, 4.7 Imp. qt.), reference |
| Low level mark to refill upper limit mark | 1.5 qt. (1.4 L, 1.2 Imp. qt.) |
From Toyota's 2026 4Runner Owner's Manual for production through May 2026 (OM35C07U), pages 530 and 616, read October 29, 2026; the manual for production from June 2026 (OM35C28U) lists the same engine, grade, viscosity and quantities. The specifications note says that after adding oil, warm up and turn off the engine, wait about 8 minutes, and check the level on the dipstick. For a 4Runner with the i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain, check the manual for your vehicle.
Why 0W-20, and what the numbers mean
The manual says SAE 0W-20 is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather. The "0W" describes the oil's cold startability: a lower number before the W allows easier starting in cold weather. The "20" describes its viscosity when the oil is at high temperature.
Toyota says Toyota Genuine Motor Oil is used in the vehicle, and to use Toyota Genuine Motor Oil or an equivalent that satisfies the grade and viscosity above. The manual points to the ILSAC Certification Mark on some oil containers to help you pick an oil that qualifies.
How often to change the oil
From the 2026 4Runner Warranty & Maintenance Guide:
10,000 miles or 12 months
Replace both the engine oil and oil filter after 12 months, or when driven over 10,000 miles since the last oil change, even when the maintenance reminder does not appear.
Miles or months
Toyota recommends scheduled maintenance every 5,000 miles or six months, whichever comes first.
Tougher use
If the vehicle is mainly driven on dirt or dusty roads, or on repeated trips of less than five miles in temperatures below freezing (32°F), the guide says to replace the oil and filter every 5,000 miles or 6 months.
Schedules are from Toyota's 2026 4Runner Warranty & Maintenance Guide, read October 29, 2026. The guide says the special operating condition services apply only if most of your driving is done under those conditions. The owner's manual adds that some oil is consumed while driving, and that towing is one of the situations where consumption may increase, so you may need to top up between oil changes.
How to check the oil level on a 4Runner
The owner's manual says to check the oil on the dipstick with the engine at operating temperature and turned off:
- Park on level ground. After warming up the engine and turning it off, wait about 5 minutes for the oil to drain back into the bottom of the engine.
- Holding a rag under the end, pull the dipstick out and wipe it clean.
- Reinsert the dipstick fully, pull it out again and check that the oil level is above the low level mark.
- If the level is below or near the low level mark, remove the oil filler cap and add oil of the same type already in the engine, slowly, checking the dipstick as you go. Keep the level between the low level mark and the refill upper limit mark, then refit the cap.
The manual lists times when oil consumption may increase: when the engine is new, with low-quality oil or the wrong viscosity, at high engine speeds or with a heavy load, when towing, with frequent acceleration and deceleration, and with long idling or heavy traffic. It also says repeated driving without the engine warmed up, such as short trips, low speeds or cold weather, can raise the oil level on the dipstick. That is not a malfunction, but if the level is above the refill upper limit mark, contact your Toyota dealer. Avoid overfilling: the manual warns the engine could be damaged.
Oil messages, reset and the low oil pressure light
"Oil Maintenance Required Soon" means the engine oil should be scheduled to be changed. "Oil Maintenance Required" means the engine oil should be changed: the manual says to have the engine oil and oil filter checked and changed by your Toyota dealer. After an oil change, reset the message.
To reset the engine oil maintenance data, the manual's steps for vehicles with the 7-inch or the 12.3-inch display use the meter control switches to go through the multi-information display settings to "Vehicle Settings", then "Oil Maintenance", then "Yes".
"Engine Oil Level Low Add or Replace" means the oil level may be low: check it and add oil if necessary. The manual notes it can appear when the vehicle is stopped on a slope, so move to level ground and see if it clears.
The low engine oil pressure warning light, with a buzzer, means the engine oil pressure is excessively low. The manual says to immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your Toyota dealer.
Elgin Toyota service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7 a.m.-7 p.m. |
| Sat | 7 a.m.-4 p.m. |
| Sun | closed |
From Elgin Toyota's website, October 29, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
Toyota 4Runner oil FAQ
What oil does a 2026 Toyota 4Runner take?
Toyota's 2026 4Runner Owner's Manual calls for ILSAC GF-6A multigrade engine oil with a recommended viscosity of SAE 0W-20, using Toyota Genuine Motor Oil or an equivalent that meets that grade and viscosity. The manual lists this for the 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder gas engine (T24A-FTS).
How much oil does a 2026 4Runner hold?
The manual lists 5.9 qt. (5.6 L) with the filter and 5.6 qt. (5.3 L) without it, for a drain and refill. Toyota calls these reference quantities: when you add oil, keep the level between the low level mark and the refill upper limit mark on the dipstick.
Can I use 5W-20 or 5W-30 in my 4Runner?
The manual says SAE 0W-20 is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather. If 0W-20 is not available, SAE 5W-20 may be used, but it must be replaced with 0W-20 at the next oil change. The manual does not list 5W-30 for this engine.
What does ILSAC GF-6A mean?
It is the oil grade the 2026 4Runner manual specifies. The manual says the International Lubricant Specification Advisory Committee (ILSAC) Certification Mark is added to some oil containers to help you select the oil you should use.
How often should 4Runner oil be changed?
The 2026 4Runner Warranty & Maintenance Guide says to replace the engine oil and filter after 12 months, or when driven over 10,000 miles since the last oil change, even when the maintenance reminder does not appear. If the vehicle is mainly driven on dirt or dusty roads, or on repeated trips of less than five miles in temperatures below freezing, the guide says every 5,000 miles or 6 months.
Does this apply to the 4Runner i-FORCE MAX?
This page follows the two 2026 4Runner owner's manuals Toyota lists (through May 2026 and from June 2026 production), whose specifications list the 2.4-liter T24A-FTS gas engine. For a 4Runner with the i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain, check the owner's manual for your vehicle, or ask our service team.
Can Elgin Toyota change the oil in my 4Runner?
Yes. Our service team in Streamwood can change the oil and filter with oil that meets the grade and viscosity in your owner's manual, and reset the oil maintenance data. See the service hours above or schedule online.
4Runner due for an oil change?
Bring it to Elgin Toyota, 1600 W. Lake St. in Streamwood. Our service team can use oil that meets the grade and viscosity in your owner's manual and reset the oil maintenance data.
Sources
Oil grade, viscosity, capacities, the dipstick check, messages and warning lights are from Toyota's 2026 4Runner Owner's Manuals; oil change intervals are from the 2026 4Runner Warranty & Maintenance Guide, all read October 29, 2026. Your own owner's manual is the final word for your vehicle. Address and hours are from Elgin Toyota's own website. Photo is illustrative.
- 2026 4Runner Owner's Manual for production through May 2026 (OM35C07U): engine and lubrication specifications, checking and adding engine oil, oil maintenance reset, messages, low oil pressure warning light, Toyota, read October 29, 2026
- 2026 4Runner Owner's Manual for production from June 2026 (OM35C28U): same oil specifications, Toyota, read October 29, 2026
- 2026 4Runner Warranty & Maintenance Guide: maintenance schedule and engine oil and filter notes, Toyota, read October 29, 2026
- Address and service hours, Elgin Toyota, October 29, 2026
