Need the run around on maintenance

Hell everyone my name is travis, i just purchased a 2009 Tacoma, preRunner sr5. the truck has about 17k miles on it. I Drive my vehicles around 30-35k a year. Alot of driving upstate, go on the beach every now and again and i drive in alot of snow. i also tow my 21' boat 10 times a year. Most of my vehicles die on me for the reason i dont do routine maintenance. This is my first toyota and i want it to last.

My questions are

How often should i change my diff fluid? With what type of oil and what brand?

How often should i change my transfer case oil? With what type and what Brand?

Should i get my tranny flushed now and do all synthetic? And if so with what type of oil and what Brand?

Also what else should i do other then oil change every 3000k.

I really love this truck and want it to last even if i have to change certain oils more than normal.

Thanks so much for the help!

 

Hi. My name isn't Travis.

You might notice Toyota included an owner's manual with the vehicle. All of this information is in there. You should read it. You should also start doing regular maintenance because it is THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. Regular maintenance allows you to bond with your truck and inspect it for problems before they become major. Learn to love your vehicles. They will love you back.

Assuming you did not receive the manual along with your vehicle on account of buying used, Toyota handily puts maintenance schedules on their website. See here:

http://smg.toyotapartsandservice.com/guides.php?v=22&y=2007&int_id=1

And adjust as necessary.

 

i forgot to leave that part out. Truck did not come with manual. Any input on transmission flush? And whether or not all oils should be synthetic?

 

Transmission fluid should be done per the maintenance schedule, and it's a sealed transmission so it doesn't need it for QUITE some time.

Engine and diff oils should always be synthetic - they're simply better oils.

 

What you mean by a sealed transmission?

Will 75-90 amsoil work for my diffs?

And what kind of oil for transfer case?

 

I recommend seeing if the dealership will sell you a replacement manual.

75-90 gear oil for the diffs and t-case. If you have a TRD Sport from 2005 to 2008 with the mechanical Limited Slip Differential out back, you will need friction modifier for the rear diff oil.

Sealed transmission means there are no openings except the fill/drain plugs. No dipstick, no nothing. It's meant to keep contaminants out and allow the tranny to go LONG times between changes.

This is assuming an auto. Manuals require gear oil, I'm not sure what grade off the top of my head.

 

IMHO ~ fletch

 

Change it as often as you like with whatever you like. Water works just fine. Oh, and since you have a Prerunner, I'll save you the time in looking for the transfer case...you don't have one!

EDIT: Gary, you beat me to it! But I still like my answer better.

If you have a V6, then you need to change the spark plugs every 30K miles. If a 4-banger, they're good for 100K (or more? Can't remember if the Prerunner is offered in a 4-cylinder in that year?). Be sure to change your engine air filter at least every 15K miles...or more often if dirty so inspect it regularly. And be aware that you have a cabin air filter too (behind the glove box). Check it regularly and replace as necessary.

You're already on the right track asking questions. Looks like you'll get a lot of miles/years out of your truck. They definitely don't last as long if you don't stay on top of the maintenance.

And be sure to ask any question regardless of potential response (like my first one above). A lot of us enjoy adding the "extra" comments. But what goes around, comes around. Been there, done that.

 

I just ordered myself a new manual so that should be in on thurs.

Wait how come there is no transfer case. Pre Runner means no transfer case? My trucks has 4wd btw, not sure if that helps. Im a complete newbie, sorry everyone.

 

PreRunner and 4WD are mutually exclusive. You either have one or the other. PreRunners are always 4x2.

Go out and look under the truck. Is there a front driveshaft? If so, you have a 4x4 and it's not a PreRunner. Toyota offers TRD Offroad package PreRunners that are 2WD with a rear differential locker. While more capable than most 2WDs, they are still not 4x4.

 

Then it's not a "Prerunner".

Prerunner is the 4X4's little 2WD brother.
4X2 on a 4X4 frame and suspension.

 

Never mind I am special. I don't have a pre runner. It is indeed a 4x4 vehicle and has a transfer case. Im doing the Air filter, cabin filter, front and rear diff and transfer case this weekend. I can use 75-90 in transfer case as well? And does my high mileage lifestyle mean i should use some heavier duty oils?

 

75-90 for both diffs and t-case.

No, do not use heavier weight oils. You'll just kill your gas mileage and power. Use the recommended weights, just make sure you change on schedule. And yes, since you drive so much, you will be changing diff/t-case oil about twice a year. Engine oil close to monthly it seems.

Sorry, but them's the breaks. Lots of miles means lots of maintenance. But, if you take care of it, this truck should easily do 300k on the original motor and transmission, and some people have done over half a million. Toyotas run for fucking ever when taken care of.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OemiomXcclA

 

Don't be sorry, no such thing as a stupid question despite some of the answers you may get...............
Anyway, the designation of "Prerunner" is Toyota's version of a 4x2 or two wheel drive truck that looks like a 4x4, or 4 wheel drive.
You would have an electric locker on a Prerunner that allows both of your rear wheels to get traction but no drive to the front wheels.
A 4x4 4 wheel drive is just that, you get power to one of the wheels in the front when you have 4x4 engaged.
If you are still confused look under your truck, if it has a front "pumpkin" or transfer case like the one in the rear, you have a four wheel drive. If not, your truck is 2 wheel drive.
I hope this helps.

 

Locker comes via the TRD off-road package option. Lots of Prerunners out there without lockers. EDIT: Not that OP has a Prerunner...

 

Both front wheels are powered. Traction determines which one gets more power.

On 2009+ models, TRAC/A-TRAC solve traction issues of open differentials and allow for excellent traction in almost all situations, with all 4 wheels being powered regardless of traction conditions.

 

Now what do you recommend for the Transmission because i do so much driving. Considering its sealed when and what should i change it with. And where do i go to change it, do i have to go to Toyota to keep warranty?

 

Yes, I know I was just trying to keep it simple.
As I have an 08 I wasn't however hip to the TRAC/A-Trac.

Thanks for the info.

 

Now do all 2009 and up tacomas have the A-Trac?

 

TRAC/A-TRAC is the shit. Uses the ABS system to stop whichever wheel has low-traction and shunt the power to the wheel with traction. TRAC acts essentially like having LSD diffs front and rear in 4hi, and A-TRAC acts essentially like having locking diffs front and rear in 4lo. It's really something.

Here's an impressive demo of A-TRAC....3 wheels on roller boards with the 4th wheel chocked, and that one wheel pulls the whole truck off the roller boards and over the chock...and all without the steering problems and risk of breakage you get with lockers...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1MOEZYAv5Q