I Just Changed My Oil For The 1st Time on My 2018 Toyota Tacoma, And Now It Won't Start - Making a Hissing Noise

Changing your oil should be a straightforward rite of passage for any DIY-inclined truck owner. It’s a small act of independence that says, "I’ve got this." But what if that first oil change leads to an unexpected twist that feels more like a cautionary tale than a victory lap? That’s exactly what happened to a Tacoma owner in a Facebook group I was scrolling through recently, and his story might make you double-check your next oil job.

An Unexpected Problem After a Simple Oil Change

Nicholas Partington, a member of the public Facebook group "2016 Thru 2023 Toyota Tacoma Owners," posted a call for help that caught my attention right away:

“Help! I just changed my oil for the first time myself on my 2018 Toyota Tacoma. Now it won’t start. The first two times I hit the start button it made an awful noise, and I could hear the starter clicking. Now it just makes a hissing noise. All I did was drain the oil, replace the filter, and add 5 quarts.”

At first glance, it might sound like Nicholas missed something critical. Did he forget to tighten the drain plug? Cross-thread the filter? Add the wrong oil? The hissing noise especially raised eyebrows—a noise no Tacoma owner wants to hear from under the hood after a routine oil change.

How Much Oil Does a 2018 Toyota Tacoma Need?

Let’s start with something basic, but often overlooked: how much oil does a 2018 Tacoma actually need? Whether it's the 2.7L 4-cylinder or the 3.5L V6, the correct fill with filter change is 6.2 quarts. Nicholas said he only put in 5 quarts initially and planned to top it off after starting the engine. Not ideal, but not usually a showstopper either—especially not enough to prevent the truck from starting.

What followed next made the story even more relatable to Tacoma DIYers.

Could the Battery Be the Real Culprit?

As comments rolled in from fellow group members, a few sharp-eyed folks suggested the issue might not be with the oil change itself, but rather with the battery.

One user, Jun Meister, chimed in with practical advice:

“My truck takes 6 quarts exact. That could just be a low battery and starter clicking. Use volt meter to test battery, ideally should be around 12.5-12.7 V. Likely won’t start if it’s under 12.0 V.”

It seemed Nicholas was thinking along the same lines. He commented:

“I put 5q in initially, was gonna start it, then add the last after it cycled through. Yeah it might be the battery.”

And that’s when things started making more sense. Nicholas updated everyone later:

“Yeah, just jumped it and the truck started right up. Guess time for a new bat. Weird how it happened after the oil change. But what do you make of this ‘Please Refuel’ message?”

Weird Dash Messages After Jump-Starts? Here's Why

If you've ever dealt with a low or failing battery in a modern Toyota, you already know: the electronics can act a little… odd. Nicholas saw a "Please Refuel" message even though he had plenty of gas. One helpful member, Rick, recommended disconnecting the battery for a few minutes to reset the system.

And sure enough, after replacing the battery entirely, Nicholas confirmed:

“Just bought a new battery. And the refuel message is gone. I guess it just glitched that message when jumped.”

Jon Hanaoka offered a helpful explanation in the thread:

“It’s because the battery died and electronics needed to reset.”

This type of strange dash behavior can often be resolved with a new battery or a proper recharge. In some cases, as in Nicholas’, the battery might have had some life left and simply needed testing and charging, but replacing it does provide peace of mind.

How Battery Voltage Impacts Starting Reliability in Modern Toyotas

In trucks like the Tacoma, a battery hovering under 12.0 volts can trigger all sorts of problems. Weak battery? You might hear starter clicks, relay ticks, or in this case, even a mysterious hissing sound that doesn’t always mean what you think. It could be an electric actuator, a fuel system prime, or even a cabin fan trying to start as voltage fluctuates.

The bottom line: low voltage equals unreliable communication between your truck’s systems. This makes proper battery care a non-negotiable part of Tacoma ownership.

Oil Change Tips for Tacoma Owners: More Than Just Drain and Fill

If you’re planning your own DIY oil change, Nicholas’ story is a good reminder that even simple jobs can come with unexpected lessons.

• Always check your battery health before any maintenance.
• Double-check your oil quantity and weight.
• Make sure to reset your oil change light properly to avoid confusion.

And if you want to get deep into the nuance of Toyota oil selection, I recommend this insightful piece: Toyota Engine Oil Switching Advice You Must Follow (Warning). It digs into what happens when you deviate from Toyota’s oil recommendations, even just a little.

What Happens When You Don’t Follow Toyota’s Oil Advice?

Nicholas used the right oil weight, but many owners experiment - some for better results. One Tacoma driver said switching from 0W-20 to 5W-30 made his truck feel more stable on the road. You can read that first-hand account in I Used This Oil Instead of the Recommended and My Tacoma Now Feels Solid to Drive.

Others follow an aggressive schedule like this 2024 Tacoma owner who changes oil every 3,500 miles regardless of what Toyota says. If that sounds like you, check out I Change the Oil On My Tacoma Every 3,500 Miles, I Don’t Care What Toyota Says.

What Tacoma Owners Should Know About DIY Maintenance and Glitches

Nicholas' experience also touches on a broader lesson: DIY work on your Tacoma often invites a domino effect. You start with one thing—like an oil change, but it leads you down an unexpected road of troubleshooting.

We’ve seen other owners experience similar moments after oil changes, including finding metal in their filter or being pressured to replace filters during routine maintenance at the dealership - as seen in Every Time I Take My 4Runner to the Dealer for an Oil Change, They Tell Me I Need a New Cabin Air Filter.

To prevent these issues, follow this excellent DIY guide: How to Maintain Your Toyota: DIY Instructions from Toyota Mechanics.

Final Thoughts: It Wasn’t the Oil After All

In the end, Nicholas’ Tacoma didn’t suffer from oil starvation, overfill, or filter issues. It was a simple case of unchecked battery health catching him off guard at the worst possible time. It just felt like something bigger because of the timing.

The takeaway? DIY jobs are always more than what they seem. It’s not just about changing oil or swapping filters. It’s about listening to your vehicle and being ready to troubleshoot calmly when something unexpected happens.

Two Questions for You:

1. Have you ever had a routine maintenance task like an oil change lead to unexpected issues with your Toyota?
2. How do you test or maintain your battery health to avoid situations like this?

Drop your thoughts and personal experiences in the comments below. We’d love to hear how your Tacoma handles DIY maintenance and what lessons you’ve learned along the way.

Armen Hareyan is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.

Image source: Nicholas Partington's post on the public Facebook group "2016 Thru 2023 Toyota Tacoma Owners," and used under the Fair Use copyright rule.