2015 Toyota Tacoma: Specs, Fluid Capacities & Common Problems
Capacities below are compiled from the 2015 Toyota Tacoma owner's manual. Both engines take 5.5 quarts of oil with a filter change, but they use different viscosities — 0W-20 for the 2.7L four-cylinder and 5W-30 for the 4.0L V6 — and different filters. Always confirm against your own manual before servicing.
2.7L 4-cyl (2TR-FE)
| Specification | Capacity / type |
|---|---|
| Engine oil — with filter | 5.5 qt (5.2 L) |
| Engine oil — without filter | 5.3 qt (5.0 L) |
| Oil viscosity | 0W-20 (synthetic) |
| Oil filter | Toyota 90915-YZZN1 |
| Automatic, 4-speed (A340E) — drain & refill | ≈2.1 qt (2.0 L) — Toyota ATF Type T-IV |
| Manual, 5-speed — total | ≈2.7 qt (2.6 L) — 75W-90 GL-4/GL-5 |
| Coolant (engine) | ≈6.9 qt (6.5 L) — Toyota Super Long Life (pink) |
4.0L V6 (1GR-FE)
| Specification | Capacity / type |
|---|---|
| Engine oil — with filter | 5.5 qt (5.2 L) |
| Engine oil — without filter | 5.2 qt (4.9 L) |
| Oil viscosity | 5W-30 (synthetic) |
| Oil filter | Toyota 90915-YZZD3 |
| Automatic, 5-speed (A750E) — drain & refill | ≈3.7 qt (3.5 L) — Toyota ATF WS |
| Manual, 6-speed (RA60) — total | ≈2.2 qt (2.1 L) — 75W-90 GL-4/GL-5 |
| Coolant (engine) | ≈9.8 qt (9.3 L) — Toyota Super Long Life (pink) |
| Rear differential | ≈3.0 qt (2.8 L) — 75W-85 GL-5 |
| Front differential (4x4) | ≈1.6 qt (1.5 L) — 75W-85 GL-5 |
| Transfer case (4x4) | ≈1.1 qt (1.0 L) — 75W-90 GL-4/GL-5 |
Oil drain plug torque: 30 lb-ft (41 N·m)
Capacities compiled from the owner’s manual. Always confirm with your own manual before servicing.
Quick reference
| Battery group size | Group 24F |
| Wiper blade sizes | 21" / 18" |
| Headlight bulb | 9003 (HB2/H4) |
| Factory tire sizes | 245/75R16 · 265/70R16 · 265/65R17 |
| Lug nut torque | 83 lb-ft (113 N·m) |
Maintenance schedule highlights
| Item | Interval |
|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000 mi / 6 months (4.0L); 10,000 mi with 0W-20 (2.7L), normal driving |
| Tire rotation | Every 5,000 mi |
| Engine air filter | Every 30,000 mi |
| Cabin air filter | Every 30,000 mi |
| Spark plugs | 30,000 mi (2.7L conventional) / 120,000 mi (4.0L iridium) |
| Engine coolant | First at 100,000 mi, then every 50,000 mi |
Exact products for this vehicle
- 0W-20 full synthetic oil, 5-qt jug (2.7L)
- 5W-30 full synthetic oil, 5-qt jug (4.0L)
- OEM oil filter (90915-YZZN1 / 90915-YZZD3)
- Drain plug gasket, 12mm (Toyota 90430-12031)
- Oil drain pan + funnel
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DIY oil change — quick steps
-
1 Warm up and position
Run the engine 2–3 minutes so the oil drains freely, then park level. The Tacoma has enough ground clearance that most owners won't need ramps.
-
2 Drain the old oil
Place the pan under the drain plug, remove the plug with a 14mm socket, and let it drain at least 5 minutes. Replace the crush washer — it's a one-use part and the reason these plugs leak when reused.
-
3 Replace the filter
The spin-on filter is accessible from below. Coat the new filter's gasket with fresh oil, thread it on by hand, and tighten 3/4 turn past contact — no filter wrench needed for install.
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4 Refill and torque the plug
Reinstall the drain plug to 30 lb-ft, then refill with the amount and viscosity for your engine from the table above. Pour in about half a quart less than spec, then top up to the dipstick's full mark.
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5 Check for leaks
Start the engine, let it idle a minute, and check around the plug and filter for seepage. Shut off, wait a few minutes, and recheck the dipstick — then reset the maintenance light using the procedure below.
How to reset the oil maintenance light
-
1 Display the plain odometer
Turn the key to ON (don't start the engine) and press the trip meter button until the display shows ODO — the total odometer, not Trip A or Trip B. Then turn the key OFF. This is the step everyone misses: the reset only works from the ODO display.
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2 Hold the trip button and turn the key back on
Press and hold the trip meter button, and while holding it, turn the key back to ON. Keep holding — don't let go when the dash lights up.
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3 Wait for the display to zero out
After several seconds the odometer shows dashes, then zeros, and the MAINT REQD light goes out. Release the button and turn the key off. If the light is still on, repeat from step 1 and double-check the display was on ODO.
Common problems on this vehicle
Frame rust and corrosion
The 2nd-gen Tacoma's best-known weakness. In states that salt their roads, the frame can corrode badly enough to fail inspection — Toyota ran inspection and frame-replacement campaigns on several model years. If you're buying or own one in the rust belt, get under the truck and check, and ask a Toyota dealer whether your VIN has open campaign coverage.
EVAP system codes (P0440 family)
These trucks regularly set P0441, P0455, or P0446 — usually a loose or worn gas cap first, then the charcoal canister assembly. Before paying for parts, tighten the cap until it clicks and clear the code; if it returns, the canister is the usual suspect.
Related code: P0455
Rear leaf spring problems
Clunking from the rear, a sagging stance under load, or a broken leaf — some years had a recall for leaf springs that could fracture and contact the fuel tank. The VIN recall check above will show if yours is affected; otherwise aftermarket or TSB-updated springs are the fix.
Driveline clunk on takeoff
A 'thunk' when accelerating from a stop or shifting between drive and reverse is usually the slip yoke binding, not a failing transmission. Greasing the slip yoke (there's a zerk fitting on the driveshaft) quiets it — a 10-minute fix the dealer addressed under a TSB.
Codes this vehicle is known for
Open recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Service bulletins (TSBs)
Manufacturer communications and technical service bulletins for this vehicle are available on NHTSA’s site:
View TSBs on NHTSA.gov ↗Frequently asked questions
- What oil does a 2015 Toyota Tacoma take?
- The 2.7L four-cylinder takes 0W-20 full synthetic; the 4.0L V6 takes 5W-30. Both take 5.5 quarts with a filter change, per the owner's manual.
- Can I use 5W-30 in the 2.7L?
- Toyota's manual lists 0W-20 as the specified viscosity for the 2TR-FE and allows a higher viscosity in a pinch — but recommends returning to 0W-20 at the next change. Stick with 0W-20 for warranty and fuel-economy reasons.
- How often should the ATF be changed?
- Toyota calls the WS fluid "lifetime" under normal use, but a drain-and-refill every 60k miles is cheap insurance, especially if you tow. The 4-speed's Type T-IV fluid has a 30–60k interval under severe use.
- What's the drain plug torque?
- 30 lb-ft (41 N·m) for the engine oil drain plug, with a new crush washer every time.