2024 Tacoma Owner's Manual & Maintenance Booklet

We know exactly what you're starting Johnny! I tried to get a oil change at 5k and the advisor basically called me a big dumbass dummy for wanting to do so. I won't be going back there, it's my money if I wanna drop $50 for an OC I should be able to.

 

Yes the engine oil change interval is getting close to the differential oil change interval (15k) if you tow!

 

When I purchased my 2021 I had to negotiate with the service manager to cover the oil changes at 5K mile intervals, outside the normal recommendations. (They did accommodate my requests, but only up to the point of when the normal oil changes would expire with the new purchase contract. I had to pay out of pocket for the last one, despite being in the 2 year period.) I would definitely think that the first oil change is the single most important.... at 5K. 10K recommendations have been out on most vehicles for a while, including turbos, maybe recognizing actual wear conditions? I would want to see the evidence suggesting this is the case, since most of the service contracts get you back in the service area every 5K miles anyway. Not to ignite another oil comment, but since I have specified synthetic oil for all my vehicles, I wonder if Toyota is actually accommodating that request. How would I know unless I was in the shop actually watching them do the change? Or perhaps having an analysis done following an oil change?

 

I pull the dipstick and look at the color before hand (which you should be checking levels anyway, I do every 1000 miles) If you’re real persnickety you could do an oil analysis.

Also mark my tires to see if they actually rotate them.

Any repair work for a replacement part. I take a paint marker and mark it in a not so obvious location. Have absolute zero trust in any mechanic whether private or the dealer.

Same on the 5000 mile oil change under Toyota care, I paid for the oil/filter they covered the labor. I hit the 25K mark shortly after the first year of ownership.

Used to do every 2500 miles in my 1st Gen, but that truck was in the dirt a lot. Engine did make it to 435K though.

 

Additive "detergent" packages in gasoline at the retail pump do not vary that much in chemical composition (the wider variation comes from the marketing surrounding the naming of such packages). Those same additive packages can vary a little based on seasonal changes in gasoline composition, but all of them are designed to keep fuel injectors clean during startups, driving, and shutdowns. In actual use, I would think that the benefit of occasional fuel additive use would be measured on older engines. As you indicate, consumer peace of mind does play a role. 99% of all retail gasoline used in modern engines has extraordinary quality control in refining and the subsequent addition of fuel treatment packages at the pump.

 

Donut spare on the SR is super lame

 

Considering that the minute will be up by the time you slow down, turn into a parking area, and come to a stop makes a real nonissue.

 

Good point. And in typical Toyota fashion, they are probably being extremely conservative in their recommendations.

 

If I have been going 80-85 MPH and quickly pull off the interstate into a rest area, I have always idled the car for a minute or two. Usually the cooling fan will come on and run for a minute or so - I turn the car off when the fan shuts off.

My Tacoma has a mechanical fan so obviously I can't do that with it but I still let it cool down for a minute or so, especially if the fan clutch is fully engaged and sounds like a trash truck, haha.

 

So after I drive up a steep hill in the mountains I have to let the engine idle immediately for a minute or risk engine damage.

Wow.

 

I have a habit of every one of my vehicles gets a bottle of Chevron Techron every 3 months. I buy in bulk and have it set on auto deliver from Amazon.

 

As I've read here, ToyotaCare basically covers two oil changes and four tire rotations. You can use them all up before two years if you want.

Most Toyota models nowadays specify 0W20, some 0W16 and even 0W8. I would expect most dealers to have synthetic exclusively in the bulk tanks and extra cost factored into the pricing. According to the Toyota Mexico owner's manual (where Toyota isn't bound by CAFE requirements), the 3rd gen can use 5W30 indefinitely. Toyota officially endorses 15W40 in ambient temps above 10F (which is still below freezing): https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/mixing-oil-grades.809421/page-3#post-29030739

 

That is a good habit to have, did that in my 1st Gen, but every 6 months. I run Chevron 91 in all my vehicles. Only time I don’t is on road trips and have no other option. Try to find Top Tier though.

 

My 2.7L originally spec'd 5W-30 back when it came out in the distant past, but it was revised to 0W-20 at some point. it is a little clattery on 0W-20 so I have been using 5W-30 in it.

FWIW Toyota Australia says that 0W-20 is preferred in the 2.4T in the Kluger (Highlander) but that up to 10W-30 can be used.
https://toyotamanuals.com.au

 

That is just turbo 101, but think on the down slope you’ll get enough cooling and won’t have to stop.

Believe that statement is more for off-road when you’re hammering and stopping a lot.

The stuff nowadays is so good, not much of a worry. Only worry is those out in the middle of nowhere has stations while traveling. More about storage tank contamination than anything.

iirc the Toyota fuel system service is every 30K, have to check my book though.

 

Or like pulling a grade at 80 MPH in Colorado at 8000' (making a lot of boost) and pulling off to get fuel. Does it have an electric fan now? It will probably crank it as you pull off the highway to help cool things down.

 

The Colorado has an electric water pump and electric fans. It will run whatever it needs to cool things off after you shut off the engine.

On paper at least, I think this is a superior design. Nothing to think about, the computer handles everything.

As others pointed out, in a real-life scenario, you are slowing down for a bit when you are pulling in to park anyways. So practically speaking it's probably a non-issue and my initial reaction was a bit overblown.

 

Yep good point. I would imagine it will still run until it gets to the desired temp.

We run electric fans on the dirt bikes, while no turbos, the fan will run even after you shut the engine off until it gets to right temp.

 

Yes the 4th gen has an electric fan. It'll be interesting to see how it holds up in deep water crossings. "Tribal knowledge" says electric fan blades shatter when they hit water, whereas the fluid-filled fan clutch and drive belt have some give.

 

I doubt I'm upgrading, but I would miss the roaring trash truck sound from the fan in 4-low