Fluid specs are the one place where "close enough" from a forum post costs real money. Wrong oil in a transfer case, the wrong ATF in an automatic, or a diff that is a quart low will not fail today, but it will fail. This guide pulls every Tacoma fluid type and capacity directly from Toyota's owner's manuals for the 2005, 2015, 2020 and 2024 model years, and calls out where the spec changed during a generation.
Two things to know first. Toyota lists most of these as reference capacities. Engine oil is filled to the dipstick, automatic transmissions are filled to the overflow plug using Toyota's temperature-check procedure, and gear oil is filled to the bottom of the fill plug hole. And always confirm against your own truck's owner's manual or door jamb model code when a table below splits by option.
3rd Gen Tacoma (2016–2023)
From the 2020 Tacoma owner's manual. Other 3rd gen years use the same hardware; oil spec wording may differ (GF-5 vs GF-6A).
| FLUID | TYPE | CAPACITY |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil, 3.5L V6 (2GR-FKS) | SAE 0W-20 (5W-20 OK until next change) | 6.1 qt / 5.8 L with filter (6.2 qt with towing package) |
| Engine oil, 2.7L (2TR-FE) | SAE 0W-20 | 6.2 qt / 5.9 L with filter |
| Coolant | Toyota Super Long Life Coolant | V6 auto 10.5 qt (11.1 tow pkg); V6 manual 10.1 qt (10.8 tow pkg); 2.7 auto 9.1 qt, manual 9.2 qt |
| Automatic transmission (6-speed) | Toyota ATF WS | V6 10.6 qt / 10.0 L total (10.8 qt tow pkg); 2.7 9.2 qt total |
| Manual transmission (6-speed) | Toyota MT Gear Oil GL-3 (GL-4) 75W-90 | 2.6 qt / 2.5 L |
| Transfer case | Toyota Transfer Gear Oil LF, SAE 75W | 1.1 qt / 1.0 L |
| Front differential (4x4) | Toyota LT 75W-85 GL-5 | 1.6 qt / 1.5 L |
| Rear differential, automatic, no locker | Toyota LT 75W-85 GL-5 | 3.1 qt / 2.9 L (3.22 qt on some model codes) |
| Rear differential, automatic, with locker | Toyota LT 75W-85 GL-5 | 4.0 qt / 3.8 L (4.2 qt on some model codes) |
| Rear differential, manual transmission | Toyota LT 75W-85 GL-5 | 4.0 qt / 3.8 L |
| Power steering | DEXRON II or III ATF | n/a |
| Brake and clutch fluid | DOT 3 (SAE J1703) | n/a |
Why two rear capacities: locker trucks and V6 manuals get the larger 8.75″ rear axle, which holds about a quart more than the 8″ open rear. The manual lists two specific model codes (GRN310L/330L PRTSHA and PRTLHA) with slightly larger capacities; your model code is on the door jamb certification label.
The transfer case does not take diff oil. 3rd gen Tacomas use Toyota Transfer Gear Oil LF, a thin SAE 75W fluid. Putting 75W-90 or 75W-85 diff oil in the transfer case is a common mistake.
Factory ATF underfill. Many 3rd gen owners have found their transmissions low from the factory, in some cases by a quart or more. There is no recall. The fix is a level check using Toyota's procedure. We cover it step by step in our 3rd gen Tacoma transmission fluid check guide.
2nd Gen Tacoma (2005–2015)
From the 2005 and 2015 Tacoma owner's manuals. Several specs changed during the generation, so both years are shown.
| FLUID | 2005 MANUAL | 2015 MANUAL |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil, 4.0L V6 (1GR-FE) | 5W-30. 4x4 and PreRunner: 5.5 qt / 5.2 L with filter. 2WD (non-PreRunner): 4.8 qt / 4.5 L | 5W-30 (10W-30 OK until next change). Same capacities |
| Engine oil, 2.7L (2TR-FE) | 5W-30. 6.1 qt / 5.8 L with filter | 0W-20. 6.1 qt / 5.8 L with filter |
| Coolant | Toyota SLLC. V6: 10.1 qt auto / 10.3 qt manual. 2.7: 9.1 qt | Same |
| Automatic, 5-speed (V6) | Toyota ATF WS. Drain and refill up to 3.2 qt / 3.0 L | ATF WS. 11.3 qt / 10.7 L total (11.5 qt tow pkg) |
| Automatic, 4-speed (2.7) | Toyota ATF Type T-IV. Drain and refill up to 2.1 qt / 2.0 L | ATF T-IV. 10.8 qt / 10.2 L total |
| Manual transmission | GL-4 or GL-5, 75W-90. V6 1.9 qt; 2.7 4x4 2.3 qt; 2.7 2WD 2.7 qt | GL-3 (GL-4), 75W-90. Same capacities |
| Transfer case | GL-4 or GL-5, 75W-90. 1.1 qt / 1.0 L | GL-5, 75W-90. 1.1 qt / 1.0 L |
| Front differential | Hypoid GL-5, 75W-90. 1.6 qt / 1.5 L | Toyota LT 75W-85 GL-5. 1.59 qt / 1.5 L |
| Rear differential | GL-5, SAE 90 (80W-90 below 0°F; LSD oil if limited-slip). 4x4 and PreRunner 3.0 qt; 2WD 3.5 qt | Toyota LT 75W-85 GL-5. 4x4 and PreRunner 3.12 qt / 2.95 L; 2WD 3.66 qt / 3.46 L |
| Power steering | DEXRON II or III ATF | DEXRON II or III ATF |
| Brake and clutch fluid | DOT 3 (SAE J1703) | DOT 3 (SAE J1703) |
Don't mix ATF types. The 4-cylinder 4-speed automatic uses Type T-IV. The V6 5-speed automatic uses WS. They are not interchangeable.
Gear oil spec changed mid-generation. Early trucks called for conventional 75W-90 or SAE 90 GL-5. By 2015, Toyota specified its LT 75W-85 GL-5 for both diffs. Using the newer LT 75W-85 in an earlier truck is common practice. If your early truck has a mechanical limited-slip rear (some 2005–2008 TRD Sport trucks are reported to), it needs limited-slip-rated oil. Trucks with the factory electric locker do not.
Engine oil reality check: owners of 2.7L trucks often find the dipstick reads full at about 5.5 qt rather than the 6.1 qt reference capacity. Fill to the dipstick, not the number.
4th Gen Tacoma (2024+)
From the 2024 Tacoma gas and hybrid owner's manuals.
| FLUID | TYPE | CAPACITY |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil, 2.4T i-FORCE and i-FORCE MAX | SAE 0W-20, ILSAC GF-6A (5W-20 OK until next change) | 5.9 qt / 5.6 L with filter |
| Coolant (engine + intercooler) | Toyota Super Long Life Coolant | 12.6 or 12.8 qt depending on model code |
| Automatic transmission (8-speed) | Toyota ATF WS | 12.4 qt / 11.7 L total (gas) |
| Manual transmission (6-speed) | Toyota MT Gear Oil GL-3 (GL-4) | 2.6 qt |
| Transfer case | Toyota Transfer Gear Oil LF, SAE 75W | 1.2 qt / 1.1 L |
| Front differential | Toyota LT 75W-85 GL-5 | 1.4 qt / 1.3 L |
| Rear differential | Toyota LT 75W-85 GL-5 | 4.8 qt / 4.5 L; 5.0 qt / 4.8 L for manual trans, TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road |
| Brake fluid | DOT 3 (SAE J1703) | n/a |
For the i-FORCE MAX hybrid, the owner's manual matches the engine oil figure above. We have not yet confirmed its transmission, coolant and diff capacities, which can differ because of the hybrid system, so use your hybrid owner's manual for those. More on the powertrain in our i-FORCE MAX explainer and 2.4L turbo guide.
Service Tips That Prevent Expensive Mistakes
- Pull the fill plug before the drain plug. On any diff or transfer case, make sure you can get the fill plug out before you drain the oil. A seized fill plug with an empty diff means the truck sits.
- Fill gear oil to the bottom of the fill hole. Not a measured amount. Stop when it starts to dribble out with the truck level.
- ATF WS has no dipstick. The level is checked at the overflow plug, with the engine running and the fluid inside a narrow temperature window. A drain and refill only changes roughly a quarter to a third of the fluid (about 3 qt of an 11 qt total on the V6 5-speed), so a full change takes several cycles.
- Use LF 75W in the transfer case on 2016+ trucks. It is a different fluid from the diff oil, and the bottles look alike.
- Locker diffs: the factory electric locker does not need special friction-modified oil. A mechanical limited-slip does.
- After water crossings, check the diffs and transfer case. Milky gear oil means water got in through the breathers, and it needs changing now.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much oil does a 3rd gen Tacoma V6 take?
6.1 quarts (5.8 L) of SAE 0W-20 with a filter change, or 6.2 quarts with the towing package, per the Toyota owner's manual. The 2.7L four-cylinder takes 6.2 quarts. Always finish by checking the dipstick.
How much oil does a 2nd gen Tacoma 4.0 V6 take?
5.5 quarts (5.2 L) of 5W-30 with a filter change on 4x4 and PreRunner models, and 4.8 quarts (4.5 L) on other 2WD models, per the 2005 and 2015 owner's manuals.
What fluid goes in a Tacoma transfer case?
2016 and newer Tacomas use Toyota Transfer Gear Oil LF, SAE 75W, about 1.1 qt (1.2 qt on 2024+). 2005–2015 Tacomas called for 75W-90 GL-4/GL-5 gear oil (GL-5 in the 2015 manual), also 1.1 qt.
What gear oil goes in Tacoma differentials?
Toyota specifies its LT 75W-85 GL-5 gear oil for the front and rear differentials on later 2nd gen trucks (the 2015 manual) and all 3rd and 4th gen trucks. Early 2nd gen manuals (2005) called for 75W-90 GL-5 in the front and SAE 90 GL-5 in the rear.
How much fluid does a Tacoma rear differential hold?
3rd gen automatics without the locker hold about 3.1 qt; locker trucks and V6 manuals have the larger 8.75″ rear and hold about 4.0 qt. 2nd gen 4x4 and PreRunner rears hold about 3.0–3.1 qt. 4th gen rears hold 4.8–5.0 qt. Fill until oil reaches the bottom of the fill hole.
What transmission fluid does a Tacoma use?
V6 automatics (2005–2015 5-speed, 2016–2023 6-speed) and the 2024+ 8-speed use Toyota ATF WS. The 2005–2015 four-cylinder 4-speed automatic uses Toyota ATF Type T-IV. Do not mix them.
Does a 3rd gen Tacoma have electric power steering?
No. The 2016–2023 Tacoma uses hydraulic power steering, and the owner's manual calls for DEXRON II or III ATF.
Related Tacoma Guides
- 3rd Gen Tacoma Transmission Fluid Check: Why Your Factory Fill Might Be Low
- 4th Gen Tacoma Transmission TSB: What New Owners Need to Know
- Toyota 1GR-FE 4.0 V6 Engine Guide
- 2GR-FKS Possible Engine Problems
- Toyota Regear Chart: Tire Size vs Gear Ratio vs RPM
- Tacoma Skid Plate Guide: What to Armor First
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