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The recommended oil for a 2002 Toyota Tacoma is 5W-30 with a capacity of 6 quarts. It's crucial to use high-quality oil to keep the engine running smoothly. Neglecting the oil can lead to engine issues, such as knocking noises, decreased gas mileage, and a burning smell. It's important to monitor the oil closely to prevent any major problems, including potential engine failure. Changing the oil every 5,000 to 10,000 miles is a good practice to ensure optimal engine performance and avoid costly repairs.
The 2002 Toyota Tacoma requires specific amounts of oil for its various engines: the 2.4L inline-4 (6 quarts), the 2.7L inline-4 with engine code [M] 3RZ-FE (6 quarts), the 2.7L inline-4 with engine code 3RZ-FE (6 quarts), the 3.4L V6 with engine code [N] 5VZ-FE (5.5 quarts), and the 3.4L V6 with engine code 5VZ-FE (5.5 quarts). All engines are recommended to use 5W30 synthetic oil.
I would like to use 5W20 synthetic oil in my vehicle.
I own a 2002 Tacoma PreRunner V6 with a 5VZ-FE engine. The original Toyota manual that came with my truck recommends using 5W-30 conventional oil, or 10W-30 for warmer climates, as indicated on the oil filler cap. Given that conventional oil is becoming less common and my truck has accumulated 155,000 miles, I consulted with various Toyota and independent mechanics who are all ASE Certified. They all advised me that it is safe to switch to a synthetic blend or full synthetic 10W-30 oil without any issues. However, they recommended performing an engine flush beforehand to fully utilize the benefits of synthetic oil immediately. Otherwise, it might take a couple of oil changes to see those benefits.