30,000 mile service??

So I'm a chick and don't know much about anything under the hood and want to see if you guys can help me out with some questions I have.

So I have a 2008 Tacoma TRD Off Road V6 and I am at 36,000 miles. So in my manual I recieved when I bought the truck it talks about a tune up/service to be done. Now it lists off a ton of stuff to replace and I want to get some advice on what really needs to be taken care of.

I have heard that the spark plugs are good up to 90,000 miles, so is it necessary to replace them at this service? Also, what about some of the fluids and such??

If anyone has any experience in this I would appreciate any help as what to exactly get done.

Thanks for your help.

 

From my understanding, the spark plugs have a change interval of 30k miles, also your front diff, transfer case and rear diff fluids need to be replaced. Those fluids are easy, and if you know how to use a search engine, the one on this site will take you to the how to's on every maintinence application here. You can also go to the parts store and buy a haynes dummy book to help you as well, I have one for me. Those are the major things at 30k, and whatever else your owneres manual says to do. If you have the manual trans, then change that fluid as well. Auto trans, I would do a drain n fill at 60k. Good luck to you, shouldn't be hard cuz these trucks are so simple.

 

Do you know what something like this should cost me?? I've been calling around and it looks like anywhere between 350.00-550.00. Does that seem about right?

 

For someone else to do it? Yes, but truthfully so easy to do yourself.

 

For my 30k miles I did the following:

• Replace spark plugs (Actually waited til 40k miles but the manual suggesting doing this at 30k miles. They are NOT good til 90k miles, not sure who told you that one)
• Change front and rear diff fluid
• Change transfer case fluid
• Grease the zerks on the driveline (should do this at every oil change)
• Change engine oil and filter (don't forget to reset the Maint. Req'd light)
• Change air filter (yours may not need it, if you're in a dusty area you may want to swap it out)
• Change cabin air filter if you have not done so yet
• Check your brakes, they should still be good unless you like to ride the brakes or tow/haul frequently but never hurts to check and be sure.
• Make sure all your fluid levels are where they should be, brake fluid, coolant, power steering fluid.
• Rotate your tires (unless you're on a different schedule, your call)

Your manual will give you a more detailed run down of everything that should be inspected but that's about all I can think of that I did to mine. It was a little over a year ago though so my memory may be a little slippery...

 

That was so helpful, thank you. I know you guys will be honest with me so I appreciate all the help.

This site rocks!!!

 

^^^^^THIS! It's pretty much what we do at my dealer, but we also throw in an injector service and an induction service. Also, Good time to do a brake flush if not already done (again, part of our package)
But yes, def replace those plugs, i have seen some trucks go 90k+ and the gap on those plugs is insane! It's the first thing i check on any 1gr motor @ 30k miles. Good luck to you!

 

What about warranty issues, will your warrranty be affected if you do not have the service performed at the dealer? Also does anyone know what they do for the injector service?

 

No, you are not required to do your maint. at the dealer, if you do it outside of a dealer just keep your records, even if you do it yourself, document date and milage. If there were to be an internal issue with the engine you would have to show proof of oil changes, i think 1 or 2 per year, something like that.
Also, for the injectors, at my dealer we hook up striaght to the fuel line and run the engine directly off a pressurized can the goes through the system and cleanes out the injectors. I do it on all of my vehicles.

 

How do I clean/service the injectors myself?

 

Injector cleaner that you pour into the gas tank is about all I ever do for mine. There is a technical way to do it as mentioned above but I have never had it done to any of my vehicles in the past.

 

http://sites.google.com/site/tacomamaintenance/
check out this site. i just did my service, it cost about 120- and i did it in just under an hour. It is very easy, even to someone with no experience. Plugs may be good but i would still change them, it's not a huge cost

 

Are there any how-to videos which show hot to re-torque the propeller shaft bolt? Also, I have a 4-wheel drive tacoma doublecab, when I change the differential oil, do I need to add LSD additive to the gear oil?

 

A local dealer quoted me $240 for the 30k mile service. To me, thats worth the price of not having to spend an afternoon chasing down parts, fluids, procedures and working on it in the parking lot of my apartment.

 

Here's another thread, it's referring to the 4 bolts that hold the drive shaft to the rear differential. Torque specs are 65 ft-lbs according to 98tacoma27. I have never done this on my truck and don't really see the need to be honest but not a bad idea seeing how the manual says so.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/109584-retorque-propeller-shaft-bolt.html
There should be a sticker on the rear differential that will say LSD Additive or something to that affect if you have a limited slip rear. The older TRD Sports used to have a mechanical LSD in the rear but I believe the newer ones use the brakes to mimic limited slip. TRD Off Roads and SR5's have open differentials front and back. No LSD additive is required in the front diff as none of the Tacoma's have limited slip in the front.

To each their own but you're wasting over $100 in labor. I'd also find out what's included in that $240, make sure they're at least going to change the plugs. The 30k mile service for the 2wd is even easier since you don't have a front differential or transfer case to mess with.

 

Thank you, Mike. Very helpful.

 

I just got back from American Toyota, the dealer I bought my Tacoma from, and I did not have them do the 30k service. Their price seemed ridiculous.

They wanted $245 to do their 30k service, which basically included changing the engine and cabin air filter (my truck does not even have a cabin air filter, I checked), lubing the drive shaft, balancing tires, rotating the tires and checking the fluids and brakes (which is already done each time I take it in for an oil change under my service contract), and parking brake adjustment. That did NOT include replacing the spark plugs, that was another $140. Replacing the transfer case and front & rear differential oil was another extra charge - I did not even ask how much they charged for that, I was already in shock over what they wanted so far that isn't already done every 5k on my service contract:

$245 for two air filters, rotating tires, lubing drive shaft, adjust parking brake...
$140 to replace spark plugs...
Who knows what extra $$ to change the diff & transfer case oil...

I told American I would find some other place to do the 30k service. I just had them do the scheduled oil change and regular checks they do on my service contract. I'll check one other place, but probably end up doing 30k service myself.

 

If a dude asked this question the answer would be "try using the search function noob".

 

Depends on who responded to it, there is a group on this forum that would have said shit like that, but i would like to believe that those of us who responded to the question would have responded the same way whether it was a chick or a dude. At least i know i would have.

 

Workman is very cheap, but he also doesn't trust anyone but himself to do oil/diff/TC/PS/sparkplugs/and other maintenance items.

Except the auto tranny fluid, Workman is old school and scared to touch that thing even though he's sure he could figure out how to do the flush himself.

Workman went to the dealer with his head hung low and had them do the flush for $200.

Workman still doesnt trust they did it right.