Newly bought Tacoma; now seeking advice on specific mods

Hey gang,
I just bought this 2012 (addressed the air injection issues with the dealership and had an affidavit added to the warranty so that those repairs would be covered) and am now looking for advice or tips on the following topics. Would love to hear advice on any or all of these and if you have a specific product in mind, would greatly appreciate the link of the specific product you feel works best. I attached pics of the new Taco and hopefully they open correctly.

1. Best way to keep my tires black and new looking
2. Air filter - I either hear great things or terrible things about K&N.. Is there an Air Filter that the Taco community agrees to be consistently the highest rated?
3. Same thing for spark plugs, whats a good one to go with?
4. Car wax - are they all pretty much the same and its not worth spending top dollar on a designer brand wax? or is there a difference?
5. Which headlights do you guys use? I know it will come down to "what am I looking for performance wise" but would love recommendations on a solid brand.
6. What do you guys use to protect the interior? or do you guys use seat covers?

 

Great looking truck! I can help you with the plugs, as I did lots of research, and found that the Denso OEM plugs are as good as any. There is lots of good info on here about plugs. I just changed my original plugs at 75k and they were just worn but looked good. I am waiting to check the mileage out but the truck has more pep and seems to run smoother. Bought at dealer for $3.50 and they were $2.88 on Toyota Parts Express but had $8. shipping. I just get air filters from local parts store or Walmart, Fram or STP, they are all about same, and I do normal driving and check it every year, and change about every 2 years. I use a vacuum and my California mini car duster to clean the interior, and its 5 years old and looks like new. Other than get oil & filter changed, that is all I have had to do since it was new. I like Auto Anything for accessories and price. If you go on line and look at something a couple of times, you get an email with a good discount in a couple of days! Good luck and enjoy your new truck!

 

You guys are lucky. My dealer quoted me 10.00 a piece on sparkplugs. So to Oreilys I go.

 

Meguiars clay bar kit and wax. That's the way to go.

 

Congrats on your Off-Road!

 

Check out the detailing thread for some good info.

 

Welcome aboard

 

1. Any tire shine should work

2. OEM air filter

3. OEM spark plugs

4. I use meguiars wax with good results

5. Not sure on headlights since mine are still stock

6. Clazzio seat covers

 

Also, is there an oil/oil filter that you guys typically use? I am looking to start changing the oil myself and have never done that before, so if you see a youtube video of someone that knows what they are doing (not just some mouth breather with a camera) I would happily check that out too.

 

Make sure you know the difference between the engine and transmission. Seems to be a lot of people on here that don't know the difference.

 

I’ve got a black 2015. Just gave it a good detail. I used turtle wax wash, meguiars clay bar kit, Nu Finish wax and can’t remember the tire shine. I know it’s a weird combo but works well for me! Check out profile pic for results.

 

Nu Finish is good stuff. Plus, you can apply it in direct sun light so you can work on your thong tan while you wax!
I don't like the greasy tire black stuff so I clean them with Simple Green and use Turtle Wax Ice on them. I don't care for the shiny look on a tire.

 

I have a 2012 myself abd i just put a KandN air filter in at 90k. Honestly i put it in because a buddie had it brand new. Still sealed and everything and sold it to me for super cheap. I like that they are washable. The oil i go with is Valvoline full synthetic high mileage (over 75k). Im a sucker for made in the good ol us of a....Murica! And filter I usually just use STP or fram, whichever i see first.

I have a printout of a factory maintenance schedule that goes over what should be done at what mileage i can get to ya if you want.

As far as the oil change goes, its incredibly easy. There are TONS of youtube videos and posts on here on how to do it, just like what @Bebop said... make sure you are taking the plug off the oil drain pan and not the tranny. If the oil us coming out red, you done goofed.

To shine the tires i use armor all extreme shine whenever i wash the truck. Just spray and forget

What air injection issues are you referring to?

 

303 protectant for interior. That shit is MONEY! A little more expensive but a little goes a long ways and you don't have to constantly reapply. Got my truck in March, only used it twice so far.

 

Nice truck

1: no idea
2: Toyota!! Factory filters aren’t very expensive, and in my experience as a dealer tech, factory is almost always best.
3: again always factory, denso or at least ngk.
4: no idea
5: no idea
6: no idea

Same with the oil filter, the Toyota filters are not very much money.
Also if you haven’t already, check the cabin filter, most people don’t and they are usually nasty.

 

Congrats.

Check out all of chrisfix videos on YouTube RE washing and waxing.

 

Pledge does wonders on tires. Everyone suggests the meguiars clay kit does wonders to black, they are not lying.
Spark plugs, don't by the hype on plugs. Get OEM replacements and call it good.
Headlights= GTR Lighting, they're well worth the premium.
AFE makes arguably the best filters/intakes.
Good luck and sweet truck by the way!

 

I was told that the 2012's can have problems related to their air injection system that can cost about $2,000 to fix and Toyota tends to not reimburse for.

 

First ive heard of this, I haven't had any problems

 

$55 Toyota Genuine Parts 90915-YZZD3 Oil Filter 1 Case (QTY 10)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A1X9IU4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

$33 Fumoto F-103 Engine Oil Drain Valve

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003UT6LCO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

$39 K&N LIFETIME Cabin Air Filter: Premium, Washable, Clean Air for your Cabin: Compatible with 1999-2023 Dodge/Pontiac/Subaru/Toyota: Dart, Vibe, Liberty, Tacoma, Voltz, VF2005

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NEL6ONO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

A/C Air Conditioning Control Switch Knob Button For Toyota VIOS(2002-2006) Vela Vitz YARIS (Black)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XD843MS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014WCH2YS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


I have a 2012, out of curiosity, what did you pay??? how many miles?