165 Engine Fluids


Why do I need to know what fluids to put in my car?

If you put the wrong fluids in then you may well shorten the life of your car and/or cause some engine damage.

Some people recommend something else!

That's up to them. Listed here are the recommended Toyota specifications for your engine. Personally, I think Toyota have more than enough experience and skill with engine design, development and maintenance to say what should be used in their engine. Opinions vary...

What are the recommended fluids?


What fluid? Specification My 2p... When to change? Capacity
(Litres)
Petrol
  • 95 RON or higher
  • Use this as a minimum specification
  • The higher the RON the less chance of detonation...
  60
Engine oil
  • Graded - SE, SF, SG or better
  • Viscosity dependant upon ambient temperatures
  • Get a decent oil...
  • I use 10W/40
  • Always change the filter along with the oil
  • Do not use Magnatec
  • Semi or fully synthetic only
5000

3000

3.6

~4.5

Engine coolant
  • Ethylene-glycol or alcohol type
  • Use the expensive Red Toyota Long Life coolant
  • I have seen extensive "furring" up of pipes and sensors when something other than the Toyota coolant has been used in these engines...beware!
Ethylene - 40,000

Alcohol - 20,000

6.4
Intercooler coolant
  • Ethylene-glycol
Ethylene - 40,000

Alcohol - 20,000

1.6
Gearbox oil
  • Grade API GL-5
  • Viscosity dependant upon ambient temperature
  • I use 75W-90
Checked - 15,000

Changed - 30,000

5.2
Rear differential oil
  • Grade API GL-5
  • Viscosity dependant upon ambient temperature
  • I use 75W-90
Not specified!
30,000
1.1
Clutch fluid
  • DOT 3
  • I would use DOT 4 as this is a higher grade
  • Don't use DOT 5 it's a lot different to DOT 3!
Not specified! 1.5?
Brake fluid
  • DOT 3
  • I use DOT 4 as this is a higher grade
  • DOT 5 isn't recommended as it's a lot different to DOT 3!
  • DOT 5.1 might be an alternative
40,000 4?

Notes