Oil change by make - what your car needs

Vlad Kuzin••Updated June 7, 2026•27 min read
Quart bottles of motor oil and spin-on oil filters arranged on a workbench next to printed owner's manual pages

Most modern Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Nissan, and Subaru engines take 0W-20 full synthetic; most GM trucks take dexos1 0W-20; Hyundai and Kia run 5W-30; BMW, Mercedes, VW, and Audi require manufacturer-approved oils with names like LL-01, MB 229.71, and VW 508 00. This page is the reference table: oil type, capacity, filter part number, and interval for the 20 makes on U.S. roads, grouped by manufacturer with model-level detail for the bestsellers.

Bookmark it. The data below is pulled from current U.S.-spec owner's manuals for model years 2019-2026. Always confirm against the cap on your oil filler or the maintenance section of your specific manual, since engine option matters, and so does model year.

The Master Reference Table

Below is the oil-spec summary for the most-sold engine in each make's top-selling model. Capacities are listed with filter change. Intervals are the manufacturer's "normal service" mileage, and severe service typically halves these. To use the table: first, find your make and confirm the engine matches yours. Then, buy oil meeting the exact spec column (the certification matters more than the brand). Finally, if your vehicle has a different engine option (turbo vs. NA, V6 vs. four-cylinder), check the make-specific section further down.

MakeTop ModelEngineOil SpecCapacityFilterInterval
HondaCivic1.5L Turbo0W-20 SP3.7 qt15400-PLM-A027,500-10,000 mi
ToyotaCamry2.5L I40W-20 GF-6A4.8 qt04152-YZZA110,000 mi
FordF-1503.5L EcoBoost5W-30 SP6.0 qtFL-500S7,500-10,000 mi
ChevroletSilverado5.3L V8dexos1 Gen 3 0W-208.0 qtPF637,500-10,000 mi
HyundaiElantra2.0L I45W-30 SP4.2 qt26300-355047,500 mi
KiaSportage2.5L I45W-30 SP4.8 qt26300-355047,500 mi
NissanRogue1.5L VC-Turbo0W-20 SP4.6 qt15208-65F0E5,000-7,500 mi
SubaruOutback2.5L NA0W-20 SP5.1 qt15208AA15A6,000 mi
MazdaCX-52.5L NA0W-20 SP4.8 qtPE01-14-3027,500 mi
VolkswagenTiguan2.0L TSIVW 508 00 0W-205.8 qt06L 115 56210,000 mi
BMW330i2.0L Turbo (B46)LL-01 0W-30 / 5W-305.3 qt1142858389810,000-15,000 mi (CBS)
Mercedes-BenzC3002.0L (M254)MB 229.71 0W-206.3 qtA270180060910,000 mi (FSS)
AudiQ52.0L TFSIVW 508 00 0W-205.7 qt06L 115 56210,000 mi
LexusRX 3502.4L Turbo0W-20 GF-6A5.4 qt04152-YZZA610,000 mi
AcuraMDX3.5L V60W-20 SP4.5 qt15400-PLM-A027,500-10,000 mi
InfinitiQX603.5L V65W-30 SP5.4 qt15208-9E0005,000-7,500 mi
JeepGrand Cherokee3.6L Pentastar0W-20 SP5.5 qt68191349AC10,000 mi
Ram15005.7L Hemi5W-20 SP7.0 qt04884899AC8,000-10,000 mi
GMCSierra5.3L V8dexos1 Gen 3 0W-208.0 qtPF637,500-10,000 mi
VolvoXC60B5 2.0L MHEVVCC RBS0-2AE 0W-205.8 qt3137221210,000 mi

The fastest way to confirm what oil your specific car takes is to look at your oil filler cap, where the viscosity grade (0W-20, 5W-30, etc.) is stamped directly on it. The capacity and filter part number live in the maintenance section of the owner's manual. If you have neither in front of you, our app's VIN lookup pulls the manufacturer-published oil type, capacity, and filter for the exact year, make, model, and engine of your car.

Honda Oil Specs (Civic, Accord, CR-V, Pilot)

Every modern Honda except the Pilot and Ridgeline (3.5L V6) runs 0W-20 full synthetic. Honda's Maintenance Minder calculates your interval based on driving conditions rather than fixed mileage, so most owners see the wrench light around 7,500-10,000 miles. The same oil filter, Honda part 15400-PLM-A02, fits the Civic, Accord, CR-V, HR-V, Fit, and the Acura ILX, RDX, and TLX. Buy a six-pack of OEM filters for around $35 and you have filters for two years.

ModelEngineOilCapacityFilter
Civic1.5L Turbo0W-203.7 qt15400-PLM-A02
Civic2.0L NA0W-204.4 qt15400-PLM-A02
Civic Type R2.0L Turbo0W-205.8 qt15400-RBA-F01
Accord1.5L Turbo0W-203.7 qt15400-PLM-A02
Accord2.0L Hybrid0W-204.0 qt15400-PLM-A02
CR-V1.5L Turbo0W-203.7 qt15400-PLM-A02
CR-V Hybrid2.0L0W-204.0 qt15400-PLM-A02
Pilot3.5L V60W-204.5 qt15400-PLM-A02
Ridgeline3.5L V60W-204.5 qt15400-PLM-A02
Odyssey3.5L V60W-204.5 qt15400-PLM-A02

DIY cost on any of the four-cylinder Hondas runs $25-$32: one 5-quart jug of Mobil 1 Extended Performance ($28 at Walmart) leaves you a quart of extra oil for top-ups, plus a $5-$7 OEM filter and a crush washer (94109-14000). Shop cost runs $65-$85 for a full synthetic change at an independent shop, $85-$110 at a Honda dealer. For more on whether the dealer markup is worth it, see our oil change cost guide.

Toyota Oil Specs (Camry, Corolla, RAV4, Highlander, Tacoma)

Most 2019-2024 Toyota four-cylinders use 0W-20; the 2025+ Camry hybrid and certain RAV4 hybrids switched to 0W-16 for fuel economy. The Tacoma's 3.5L V6 (2016-2023) and pre-2020 Highlander 3.5L V6 still take 0W-20. Toyota's recommended interval is 10,000 miles or 12 months under normal driving, among the longest from any mainstream manufacturer, but the company also publishes a separate severe-service schedule at 5,000 miles that applies if you do short trips, idle a lot, or drive on dusty roads.

ModelEngineOilCapacityFilter
Camry2.5L I4 (2018-2024)0W-204.8 qt04152-YZZA1
Camry Hybrid2.5L (2025+)0W-164.8 qt04152-YZZA1
Corolla1.8L0W-204.4 qt04152-YZZA1
Corolla2.0L0W-164.6 qt04152-YZZA1
RAV42.5L (2019-2026)0W-16 (or 0W-20)4.8 qt04152-YZZA1
Highlander3.5L V6 (pre-2020)0W-206.4 qt04152-YZZA6
Highlander2.4L Turbo (2023+)0W-205.1 qt04152-YZZA1
Tacoma3.5L V6 (2016-2023)0W-206.2 qt04152-YZZA6
Tundra3.4L V6 TT (2022+)0W-206.7 qt04152-YZZA6
4Runner4.0L V6 (pre-2025)5W-306.6 qt90915-YZZD3

The 2018-2020 Camry, RAV4, and Highlander V6 are subject to NHTSA recall 21V-052 for a fuel pump issue unrelated to oil, so it's worth a one-time VIN check on the NHTSA recalls page while you're under the hood. For interval guidance against Toyota's official severe-service triggers, see how frequently to change your oil.

Ford Oil Specs (F-150, Explorer, Escape, Bronco)

Ford uses Motorcraft synthetic blend or full synthetic depending on the engine, all in the 5W-30 viscosity grade except a few EcoBoost variants. The F-150's 5.0L V8 has the largest capacity in mainstream pickups at 8.8 quarts, so plan for two 5-quart jugs of oil at every change. Ford's Intelligent Oil Life Monitor (IOLM) typically signals a change around 7,500-10,000 miles depending on conditions. The FL-500S is the same filter on most EcoBoost engines from 2.3L to 3.5L.

ModelEngineOilCapacityFilter
F-1502.7L EcoBoost5W-306.0 qtFL-500S
F-1503.5L EcoBoost5W-306.0 qtFL-500S
F-1505.0L V85W-308.8 qtFL-500S
F-1503.0L PowerStroke5W-30 (FA-4)6.0 qtFL-2087
Escape1.5L EcoBoost5W-304.5 qtFL-910S
Escape2.0L EcoBoost5W-305.7 qtFL-500S
Explorer2.3L EcoBoost5W-305.7 qtFL-500S
Explorer3.0L EcoBoost ST5W-306.0 qtFL-500S
Bronco2.3L EcoBoost5W-306.0 qtFL-500S
Bronco2.7L EcoBoost5W-306.0 qtFL-500S
Mustang5.0L Coyote5W-30 (5W-20 pre-2018)10.0 qtFL-500S

The 5.0L Mustang's 10-quart capacity surprises people: that's two and a half 5-quart jugs, with one full quart left over. Save the leftover for the next change.

Chevrolet & GMC Oil Specs (Silverado, Sierra, Equinox, Tahoe)

Every modern GM gasoline engine takes dexos1 Gen 3 0W-20, a single GM specification covering trucks, SUVs, and crossovers from the 1.5L turbo Equinox to the 6.2L V8 Silverado. The dexos1 mark is mandatory for warranty: GM has voided coverage on engines run on non-dexos oil per its published warranty terms. Most quick-lube chains stock dexos1-licensed oil under their house brands. For the 3.0L Duramax diesel, GM uses a separate spec, dexos D 0W-20.

ModelEngineOilCapacityFilter
Silverado / Sierra2.7L Turbodexos1 0W-206.0 qtPF66
Silverado / Sierra5.3L V8dexos1 0W-208.0 qtPF63
Silverado / Sierra6.2L V8dexos1 0W-208.0 qtPF63
Silverado / Sierra3.0L Duramaxdexos D 0W-207.5 qtDURAMAX kit
Tahoe / Yukon5.3L V8dexos1 0W-208.0 qtPF63
Suburban / Yukon XL6.2L V8dexos1 0W-208.0 qtPF63
Equinox1.5L Turbodexos1 0W-204.0 qtPF48
Malibu1.5L Turbodexos1 0W-204.0 qtPF48
Camaro6.2L LT1 V8dexos1 0W-20 (5W-30 pre-2017)10.0 qtPF48
Corvette C86.2L LT2 V8dexos1 0W-407.5 qtPF66

The 5.3L and 6.2L V8 Silverado/Sierra/Tahoe family takes the same PF63 filter, so buy a 4-pack for around $25 and you're set for two years of changes on the truck.

Hyundai & Kia Oil Specs (Elantra, Tucson, Sportage, Telluride)

Hyundai and Kia share platforms and engines under the Hyundai Motor Group umbrella, and they share oil specs. Most current four-cylinders take 5W-30, heavier than the 0W-20 most Japanese makes use, and most V6s take the same. Hyundai's recommended interval is 7,500 miles for normal service, 3,750 miles for severe. This is the shortest "normal" interval of any major make sold in the U.S., and it matters for Hyundai's engine warranty.

The 2011-2019 Theta II 2.0L and 2.4L engines (used in Sonata, Santa Fe, Sorento, Optima, and Tucson) were the subject of NHTSA recalls 19V-159 and 20V-587 for connecting rod bearing failure, and Hyundai and Kia extended the powertrain warranty to 10 years / 120,000 miles on affected engines, conditional on documented oil change history. If you own one, keep every receipt and stay on schedule.

ModelEngineOilCapacityFilter
Elantra2.0L Nu5W-304.2 qt26300-35504
Elantra N2.0L Turbo5W-305.8 qt26320-2J000
Sonata2.5L5W-305.0 qt26300-35504
Sonata1.6L Turbo5W-304.6 qt26300-35504
Tucson2.5L5W-304.8 qt26300-35504
Santa Fe2.5L Turbo5W-305.5 qt26300-35504
Palisade3.8L V65W-306.3 qt26300-3CAA0
Kia Forte2.0L5W-204.0 qt26300-35504
Kia Sportage2.5L5W-304.8 qt26300-35504
Kia Sorento2.5L Turbo5W-305.5 qt26300-35504
Kia Telluride3.8L V65W-306.3 qt26300-3CAA0

BMW Oil Specs (3 Series, 5 Series, X3, X5, M cars)

BMW has its own oil approval system, the Long Life specifications, and the wrong oil will trigger long-term issues even when the viscosity number looks right. LL-01 covers most pre-2019 gas engines and is still required for current models including the B46 (330i) and B58 (M340i, X3 M40i). LL-04 covers diesels and most M-cars. LL-17 FE+ is the newer low-SAPS spec for current models with gasoline particulate filters. The approved oils are short lists: Castrol Edge Professional, Mobil 1 ESP, Shell Helix Ultra, and the BMW-branded Twin Power Turbo (which is just rebadged Castrol or Shell).

ModelEngineOil SpecCapacityFilter
330i / 430i2.0L (B46)LL-01 0W-30 or 5W-305.3 qt11428583898
M340i / 540i / X3 M40i / X5 40i3.0L I6 (B58)LL-01 0W-30 or 5W-306.9 qt11428583898
M3 / M4 / M5S58 / S63LL-01 FE (current) or LL-046.9-9.5 qt11428583898
230i2.0L (B46)LL-01 0W-30 or 5W-305.3 qt11428583898
X1 / X22.0L (B46/B48)LL-01 0W-30 or 5W-305.3 qt11428583898
X5 xDrive45e3.0L I6 + electricLL-01 0W-306.9 qt11428583898
X7 40i3.0L I6 (B58)LL-01 0W-30 or 5W-306.9 qt11428583898

BMW's Condition Based Service (CBS) algorithm typically calls for an oil change at 10,000-15,000 miles based on driving style. BMW techs and forum communities (Bimmerfest, BimmerForums) widely argue this is too long for the B58 inline-six and recommend 7,500-mile intervals on used-oil analysis grounds. The official interval is what BMW warranties, and it's your call on whether to change earlier.

Plan $90-$140 for DIY: 7 quarts of Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30 runs $55-$70, the OEM Mahle cartridge filter is $12-$18, and the aluminum crush washer is $1.50. Dealer service costs $180-$280. The 330i takes about 35 minutes start to finish because the filter housing is on top of the engine, with no jack required for that part of the job.

Mercedes-Benz Oil Specs (C-Class, E-Class, GLC, GLE)

Mercedes uses its own BeVo (Betriebsstoff-Vorschriften) specifications. The current M254 four-cylinder used in the 2022+ C300, E350, GLC 300, and EQ-Boost models requires MB 229.71 0W-20, a low-ash, low-viscosity oil with a short list of approvals (Mobil 1 ESP X3 0W-20, Castrol Edge Professional V 0W-20). Pre-2022 four-cylinders using the M264 engine take MB 229.5 5W-30, a more widely available spec. The Flexible Service System (FSS) typically calls for service at 10,000 miles or 12 months.

ModelEngineOil SpecCapacityFilter
C300 (2022+)2.0L M254MB 229.71 0W-206.3 qtA2701800609
C300 (2019-2021)2.0L M264MB 229.5 5W-306.3 qtA2701800609
E350 (2024+)2.0L M254MB 229.71 0W-206.3 qtA2701800609
E4503.0L I6 (M256)MB 229.71 0W-207.9 qtA2761800009
GLC 3002.0L M254MB 229.71 0W-206.3 qtA2701800609
GLE 3502.0L M254MB 229.71 0W-206.3 qtA2701800609
GLE 4503.0L I6 (M256)MB 229.71 0W-207.9 qtA2761800009
G550 / G634.0L V8 BiTurbo (M177)MB 229.5 0W-408.5 qtA2781840325

The MB 229.71 oils are not stocked at every auto parts store. Walmart and Amazon carry Mobil 1 ESP X3 0W-20 (the most common 229.71 approval) at around $55 for a 5-quart jug. Dealer oil change at a Mercedes dealer runs $200-$320, and the gap to DIY is largest on European brands.

Volkswagen & Audi Oil Specs

VW and Audi share engines and share oil specs. The current 2.0L TSI/TFSI four-cylinder (EA888 Gen 4) used in the Jetta, Tiguan, Atlas, Audi A4, A5, Q5, and Q3 requires VW 508 00 — a specific 0W-20 low-SAPS approval. Older 2.0L engines (EA888 Gen 3) take VW 502 00 5W-40 or 5W-30. The 3.0L V6 in the Atlas and Q7 (plus the Touareg) takes VW 502 00 5W-40. None of these specs are met by generic store-brand oils — check the back label for the explicit VW number.

ModelEngineOil SpecCapacityFilter
Jetta1.5L TSIVW 508 00 0W-204.6 qt06L 115 562
Tiguan2.0L TSIVW 508 00 0W-205.8 qt06L 115 562
Atlas2.0L TSIVW 508 00 0W-205.8 qt06L 115 562
Atlas3.6L VR6VW 502 00 5W-406.3 qt06E 115 562
GTI / Golf R2.0L TSIVW 508 00 0W-205.8 qt06L 115 562
Audi A4 / A52.0L TFSIVW 508 00 0W-205.7 qt06L 115 562
Audi Q52.0L TFSIVW 508 00 0W-205.7 qt06L 115 562
Audi Q73.0L TFSI V6VW 502 00 5W-407.4 qt06E 115 562
Audi RS3 / RS Q32.5L TFSI I5VW 511 00 0W-406.3 qt06E 115 562

Nissan, Subaru, Mazda, Lexus, Acura, Infiniti

The remaining Japanese makes mostly track Toyota and Honda on 0W-20, with a few exceptions. Subaru sticks to a 6,000-mile interval — shorter than most — historically because of head gasket and ring-land concerns on the FB and EJ engines. Nissan's normal interval is 5,000 miles for most models, again shorter than Toyota's 10,000. Mazda's Skyactiv 2.5L takes 0W-20 with a 7,500-mile interval. Lexus shares Toyota engines and largely shares specs; Acura shares Honda's. Infiniti uses 5W-30 on the VQ35/VQ37 V6 family.

ModelEngineOilCapacityFilter
Nissan Altima2.5L0W-205.4 qt15208-65F0E
Nissan Sentra2.0L0W-205.1 qt15208-65F0E
Nissan Rogue1.5L VC-Turbo0W-204.6 qt15208-65F0E
Nissan Murano3.5L V65W-305.4 qt15208-65F0E
Subaru Outback2.5L NA0W-205.1 qt15208AA15A
Subaru Outback XT2.4L Turbo5W-305.4 qt15208AA15A
Subaru Forester2.5L0W-205.1 qt15208AA15A
Subaru WRX2.4L Turbo5W-305.4 qt15208AA15A
Mazda32.5L0W-204.8 qtPE01-14-302
Mazda CX-52.5L NA0W-204.8 qtPE01-14-302
Mazda CX-5 Turbo2.5L Turbo5W-305.1 qtPE01-14-302
Mazda CX-502.5L NA0W-204.8 qtPE01-14-302
Lexus RX 3502.4L Turbo0W-205.4 qt04152-YZZA6
Lexus ES 3503.5L V60W-206.4 qt04152-YZZA6
Lexus IS 3503.5L V60W-206.4 qt04152-YZZA6
Lexus GX 4604.6L V80W-206.4 qt04152-YZZA6
Acura MDX3.5L V60W-204.5 qt15400-PLM-A02
Acura RDX2.0L Turbo0W-204.4 qt15400-PLM-A02
Acura TLX2.0L Turbo0W-205.0 qt15400-PLM-A02
Acura Integra1.5L Turbo0W-203.7 qt15400-PLM-A02
Infiniti Q503.0L V6 TT5W-306.0 qt15208-31U00
Infiniti QX603.5L V65W-305.4 qt15208-9E000

The same oil filter works across most models within a brand. Honda's 15400-PLM-A02 fits Civic, Accord, CR-V, Pilot, Ridgeline, Odyssey, and most Acuras. Toyota's 04152-YZZA1 fits Camry, Corolla, RAV4, and Prius. GM's PF63 fits the 5.3L and 6.2L V8 trucks. Buying OEM filters in 4 or 6-packs cuts the per-change cost to $3-$5 versus $10-$15 retail.

Jeep, Ram, and Stellantis V8s

Stellantis (the parent of Jeep, Ram, Dodge, and Chrysler) uses MOPAR-branded oil specs but is generally less restrictive than European makes — any API SP / ILSAC GF-6A oil in the correct viscosity meets the requirement. The 5.7L Hemi takes 5W-20, which is unusual for a pushrod V8 of its size, and the 7-quart capacity makes it slightly cheaper to service than Ford and GM V8 trucks. The 3.6L Pentastar V6 is everywhere in the Stellantis lineup — Grand Cherokee, Wrangler, Charger, 300, Pacifica, Ram 1500 — and takes 0W-20 across all of them in current model years.

ModelEngineOilCapacityFilter
Jeep Grand Cherokee3.6L Pentastar0W-205.5 qt68191349AC
Jeep Grand Cherokee5.7L Hemi5W-207.0 qt04884899AC
Jeep Wrangler3.6L Pentastar0W-205.0 qt68191349AC
Jeep Wrangler2.0L Turbo5W-305.2 qt68498720AA
Ram 15003.6L Pentastar0W-205.5 qt68191349AC
Ram 15005.7L Hemi5W-207.0 qt04884899AC
Ram 15003.0L EcoDiesel5W-30 (FA-4)8.0 qt68507598AA
Dodge Charger / Challenger5.7L Hemi5W-207.0 qt04884899AC
Dodge Challenger Hellcat6.2L Supercharged0W-407.0 qt04884899AC
Chrysler Pacifica3.6L Pentastar0W-205.5 qt68191349AC

How to Find Your Exact Oil Spec

Your owner's manual is the authoritative source. The maintenance section lists oil viscosity, capacity, filter part number, and the manufacturer's interval. If the manual isn't in the glovebox, every U.S. automaker hosts the PDF on their owner's site — Honda at owners.honda.com, Toyota at toyota.com/owners, BMW at bmwusa.com under Vehicle Information.

The next-fastest method is the oil filler cap on the engine. The cap is stamped or printed with the viscosity grade and usually the specification (e.g., "0W-20 ILSAC GF-6A" or "VW 508 00"). Capacity is harder to find this way — for that, the manual or a VIN lookup is the only reliable source.

Pinion pulls the oil type, capacity, and filter part number from the manufacturer's official maintenance database for your VIN, so you don't have to dig. Enter the VIN once, and the app stores it alongside the recommended interval and sends a push reminder when the next change is due based on your actual mileage.

DIY Oil Change Costs by Make

DIY savings vary widely by make because oil capacity and oil price both vary. A four-cylinder Honda Civic takes 3.7 quarts of standard 0W-20; a BMW 540i takes 7 quarts of a specialty LL-01 0W-30 that costs twice as much per quart. The table below assumes Mobil 1 Extended Performance or Mobil 1 ESP at 2026 Walmart and Amazon prices, plus an OEM filter and crush washer.

Make / ModelOil CostFilterTotal DIYIndependent ShopDealer
Honda Civic 1.5T$24 (5 qt Mobil 1)$6$30$65-$85$90-$110
Toyota Camry 2.5L$24 (5 qt Mobil 1)$7$31$70-$90$95-$120
Ford F-150 5.0L$42 (9 qt Mobil 1)$9$51$85-$110$110-$140
Chevy Silverado 5.3L$38 (8 qt dexos1)$8$46$80-$105$105-$135
Hyundai Elantra 2.0L$24 (5 qt Mobil 1)$6$30$65-$85$85-$105
BMW 330i (B46)$58 (6 qt Mobil 1 ESP)$15$73$130-$180$180-$260
BMW M340i (B58)$68 (7 qt Mobil 1 ESP)$15$83$150-$210$210-$290
Mercedes C300 (M254)$62 (6 qt Mobil 1 ESP X3 0W-20)$18$80$150-$220$220-$320
VW Tiguan 2.0T$48 (6 qt 508 00 oil)$14$62$110-$160$160-$220
Audi Q5 2.0T$48 (6 qt 508 00 oil)$14$62$120-$170$180-$240
Subaru Outback 2.5L$26 (6 qt Mobil 1)$8$34$70-$95$90-$120
Ram 1500 5.7L Hemi$36 (7 qt Mobil 1)$9$45$80-$105$105-$140

European luxury makes have the biggest DIY-vs-dealer gap — typically $140-$240 per change — because dealer labor rates run $180-$240/hour and the specialty oil is marked up 40-60%. A DIY 330i owner who does three changes a year on 25,000 miles saves $450-$650 annually versus the dealer.

What "API SP" and "Dexos" and "LL-01" Actually Mean

Three different certification systems control what oil meets your spec, and they don't overlap perfectly. API SP is the current American Petroleum Institute standard, replacing SN Plus in 2020. It controls wear protection, deposit control, and LSPI (low-speed pre-ignition) resistance — the last one specifically for turbocharged direct-injection engines. ILSAC GF-6A and GF-6B are the related fuel-economy specs; GF-6A covers 0W-20, 5W-20, 5W-30; GF-6B covers 0W-16 only. Any oil with both API SP and ILSAC GF-6A on the label meets the spec for current Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Subaru, Hyundai, Kia, Ford, and Stellantis gasoline engines in the correct viscosity.

GM dexos is GM's proprietary spec, licensed and audited by GM. dexos1 Gen 3 (gasoline) is required for warranty coverage on all current Chevy, GMC, Buick, and Cadillac gasoline engines. dexos D covers diesel. Oils carrying the dexos mark are listed in GM's licensed-oils database — most national brands (Mobil 1, Pennzoil, Valvoline, Castrol) have dexos1 Gen 3 versions.

European specs are manufacturer-specific. BMW LL-01 / LL-04 / LL-12 FE / LL-17 FE+, Mercedes MB 229.5 / 229.51 / 229.71, VW 502 00 / 504 00 / 508 00, and Porsche A40 / C30 are all approval lists maintained by the automaker. The approved oils are short — usually 5-10 brands per spec — and substituting a non-approved oil can void warranty and damage emissions equipment. The back label of the oil bottle lists every approval; if your spec isn't on it, it doesn't meet the requirement. For background on synthetic vs conventional and why these specs exist, see synthetic vs conventional oil.

The single most important question to answer before buying oil is: what viscosity grade does my engine require? It is printed on the oil filler cap. After that, check whether your car requires a manufacturer-specific approval (BMW LL-01, MB 229.71, VW 508 00, GM dexos1, Porsche A40). If yes, only buy oil whose back label lists that exact approval. If no, any API SP / ILSAC GF-6A oil in the correct viscosity meets the spec. Brand within those constraints rarely matters — Mobil 1, Castrol Edge, Valvoline Extended Protection, Pennzoil Platinum, and most house brands all meet the same standards.

How to Actually Change the Oil

Once you know your spec, the change itself is the same procedure on most vehicles: warm the engine, lift the car, drain the pan, replace the filter, install a new crush washer, refill, and check the level. ChrisFix's full walk-through covers every step on a typical front-engine sedan or SUV.

The two make-specific gotchas worth knowing: BMW and Mercedes use top-mounted cartridge filters that require a specific filter cap socket (32mm or 36mm depending on engine), and Honda and Toyota engines like the Civic 1.5T and RAV4 2.5L hide the oil filter behind a splash shield that requires removing four to six 10mm bolts to access. Neither is hard — just budget an extra 10 minutes the first time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What oil does a Honda Civic take?

The 2016-2026 Honda Civic uses 0W-20 full synthetic oil with a capacity of 3.7 quarts (1.5L turbo) or 4.4 quarts (2.0L NA). Honda recommends their own Genuine Motor Oil but any API SP certified 0W-20 synthetic works. The oil change interval is 7,500-10,000 miles per Honda's Maintenance Minder system.

What oil does a Toyota Camry take?

The 2018-2026 Toyota Camry (2.5L 4-cylinder) uses 0W-20 full synthetic oil with a capacity of 4.8 quarts. Toyota recommends Toyota Genuine Motor Oil or any ILSAC GF-6A certified 0W-20. The oil change interval is 10,000 miles or 12 months under normal conditions, or 5,000 miles under severe conditions. The 2025+ Camry hybrid switched to 0W-16.

What oil does a BMW 3 Series take?

The 2019-2026 BMW 330i uses BMW LL-01 approved 0W-30 or 5W-30 synthetic oil (Castrol Edge Professional or Mobil 1 ESP) with a capacity of 5.3 quarts. BMW recommends 10,000-15,000 mile intervals per the Condition Based Service (CBS) system. Expect $100-$150 for a DIY change due to the larger oil capacity and specialty filter housing, or $180-$280 at a BMW dealer.

Is dealer-brand oil (Honda, Toyota, Mopar) actually better than Mobil 1 or Castrol?

No. Dealer-branded oils are private-label products blended by major refiners (ExxonMobil blends Honda Genuine, Idemitsu blends Toyota Genuine) to meet the same API SP and ILSAC GF-6A specs as Mobil 1, Castrol Edge, and Valvoline Extended Protection. Use any oil that meets the viscosity grade and certification in your owner's manual. The brand on the bottle does not affect warranty coverage under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

What happens if I use 5W-30 in a car that calls for 0W-20?

Short-term you will not destroy the engine, but you will see 1-2 MPG worse fuel economy, harder cold starts below 20F, and potentially a check engine light on vehicles with variable valve timing systems calibrated to thinner oil. Long-term, modern engines with VVT solenoids and tight bearing clearances can develop wear or timing chain stretch when run on heavier oil than spec. Use the viscosity grade printed on the oil filler cap.

Do European cars really need special oil?

Yes. BMW LL-01, Mercedes MB 229.5 or 229.71, VW 508 00, and Porsche A40 are real engineering specifications — not marketing. These specs control additive levels (zinc, phosphorus, calcium), high-temperature shear stability, and ash content for vehicles with extended drain intervals and emissions equipment. Using a non-approved 5W-30 in a BMW or VW that calls for LL-01 or 508 00 can cause timing chain wear and DPF clogging. Approved oils are printed on the back label of the bottle.

Frequently Asked Questions

V

Vlad Kuzin

Developer of Pinion. Writes about car maintenance to help people save money and stay safe on the road.

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