Advice for new taco that will be driven 5 miles a day?

Awesome. Thanks a lot!

 

Very nice! I'm about an hour from there in Hamilton County. Benson, NY. Right near Lapland Lake Ski Resort.

 

Walk to work.

Oil catch can for short drives.

 

Kind of, yes! They are more hotel/restaurant leaning while we are more cottages and snack bar.
The folks at Garnet are very nice. We chat a few times a year and send folks there who are looking for more of that kind of experience.

 

All short trips are not good... the oil will need to be changed more often. I don't drive much myself... after 1,000 miles/ 6 months the oil (mobile one synthetic) is really dark... almost black. Also, you might check the oil fill cap once in a while for condensation foam. Drive it once in a while to get the condensation out of the exhaust. Buy a few cans of fluid film and spray the frame.

copied from a article...
Condensation in the Oil System

This is more common than you might think. A weather change from warm, moist weather to cold weather or repeated frost (condensation) on the vehicle and frequent high dew points can create moisture to form in the crankcase. This can appear as condensation in the oil system and under the valve covers. Most of the time vehicles are driven long and far enough so that this condensation is burned off thanks to the heat of the engine. However a vehicle that is not driven very far and does not reach full running temperature for very long may not purge out the moisture. Vehicles that are not driven frequently and sit outside can also acquire moisture in the oil system. When these vehicles are driven, the engine generates some heat during the short drive, then cools. The trapped moisture condensates on the coolest part of the engine, the valve cover and oil cap. Repeated short trips will leave behind more and more moisture on these cooler parts. You then open the cap and discover this milky white buildup of creamy mocha colored slim.

 

I also have a short commute, 9 miles each way.
I had the frame sprayed and ceramic coating on body.
Good floor mats and seat covers are recommended.
I do warm the truck up in temps below 15 degrees.
I'd buy a beater for winter but I drive a gti in the summer so I'd never drive the Taco if I did.
Hope that helps

 

Twenty minutes to bike five miles. Ten minutes to drive. Just saying.
Also, you need to do nothing different for maintenance.
Lastly, pretty much everyone comes here saying they want to keep their new truck forever.... then the newness wears off and they trade. Very very few keep a vehicle 20 years.

 

Install a block heater and use it. Engine will get up to temp quicker and you’ll have less concerns with condensation.

 

If you are going 1.3mi, it's a 5 min ride at a barely sweating pace and 10min ride at a leisurely old person's pace on a bicycle. Unless that truck is directly involved in making you money I'd just keep to the bike.

This is coming from someone that fully understands the not enough time in their day, who also happens to be writing this post in the shower too.

 

I am one of the few, had my first Gen for 19 years and still have it actually. Just got tired of fixing it. Can see why he is over driving beaters, I sure am. Wondering if it is going to start or break down yet again gets old.

As for the OP walking, my wife is only 3/4s of mile from her work and she drives. She carries too much stuff to ride a bicycle or walk, plus it is like 0 degrees out there right now. All the BS clothes you have to put on when it is that cold just to ride a bike is a pain, when she can just jump in her SUV with a jacket. She’ll do it when the weather is nicer though, but rarely because she is always crazy busy…more of a time thing than anything.

 

Yeah I always chuckle when new Taco owners make the "I'm going to drive it until I die " claim. Many say it but very few actually end up keeping and driving a car for 20+ years.

Now in my case driving my Taco until I go TU just might be true given my poor life choices over the years. On the other hand, I sure had a great fucking time!

 

Another vote to cosmoline the frame, especially if in the rust/salt belt...best time when new on a hot day. Seat, center console covers, and a bed mat is another good idea.

 

I had my tundra for 19 and would have for 20, but saw this pandemic coming, along with other stuff i cannot mention, but its here now.

 

Go visit friends in Rutland once a month.

 

Get it offroad and engage the 4WD now and then.

 

Understood and agreed.

 

Save $40,000 and walk to work is my first thought.

But to answer your question just drive it like you stole it and do maintenance on the time schedule not miles schedule.

I would only fill the gas tank half way and run it down. A full tank will last you 6 months and get stale perhaps? Consider using a fuel treatment.

 

for sure take it out on the highway a couple of times a month and cruse at 60+ for a few miles. Then, at least once every 6 weeks or so, get on some soft surface (dirt road, gravel etc) and engage 4WD for a bit to keep those parts lubed. You should also engage the locker occasionally. All of these items need to see some rotation to keep them tip-top.

 

OP....I also walk frequently. Dog outing 3X each day, regardless of weather. We easily cover 5-6 miles total each day.

To be practical...... The average human will walk at about 4 mph, so the 1.3 mile walk will take you about 20 minutes. How long are you walking with the GF and your dog? I bet you're out longer than 20 minutes.

A bicycle can easily do 12+ mph, so the 1.3 mile ride to work is less than 10 minutes.

How much time is spent driving? I'll wager its at least 10 minutes. The short drives will allow moisture to build in the engine and the battery will not be recharged.

There are advantages to living that close to work, if you walk or bicycle. No fuel, very little maintenance for the truck. Plus some nice health benefits.

An alternate vehicle would be an electric scooter.

 

Forever is a long time!
Just make sure to do regular maintenance on it.
Also, since you have a short commute, make sure to stretch her legs once in a while.