Quick Lesson when buying a USED vehicle

CHANGE the fluids!

I bought my '08 roughly 3 months ago with 42,000 miles at Carmax. This past weekend I changed my oil & filter, and the air filter. Then I changed the front and rear differentials. Also, I am NOT mechanically inclined - still learning. So choose what brands you like.

OIL/AIR: Dealer had put in whatever bulk oil & filter they use. The filter was awful, though I didn't break it getting it off. I replaced it with a K&N filter and Pennzoil. Air filter was also replaced with a K&N. Expensive, but I thought worth it.

DIFFERENTIAL: The 24mm and 10mm plugs were so tight that I guess the previous owner never had changed the fluid. The smells weren't aweful, but both were completely black. I replaced the fluid with the Mobil 1 Synthetic

$30 75w-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75w-90. I did use the Pump for both the front and rear.

TRANSFER CASE: Had I read about this before hand, I would have replaced it at the same time. So now I know what I'm doing next weekend.

 

I use Toyota oil filters, Mobil 1 Synthetic 5W-30 for the engine and currently have an STP air filter but will go back to Toyota once I can pick one up.

I can't remember what I used for the differentials but I don't believe I used synthetic.

Truth be told, as long as it's the correct weight oil and a reputable brand, you'll be fine. Chris4x4 did a write up where he tested a bunch of oil filters side by side (cut them open to inspect the insides). Turns out, the OEM filters are among the best you can buy for the Tacoma.

 

Pugga wiz uppppppppppp

 

Livin' the dream

 

nice.

i would have used OEM filters for both Air and oil.

 

Uhhh...I bought my 2010 4x4 from CarMax with 51k on it. I've put 3k on it so far, and so far, she's running perfectly fine...do I need to change my diff oil?

 

If you don't know the service history then it would be a good idea to change the diff fluids, x-fer case fluid and spark plugs.

Oh yeah, OP, change your spark plugs also!

 

Is there a write-up on changing the diff and transfer case fluids? I'm pretty mechanically inclined, but I'm sure it'll be easier with a guide.

 

X-fer case DIY and in the first post there is a link to a rear diff DIY.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...ront-diff-transfer-case-oil-change-howto.html

Helpful hint - Make sure you get the fill plug loose before you drain the fluid out. If you drain the fluid and the fill plug ends up being stripped so you can't get fluid back in, you'll be calling for a tow.

 

Just saw that actually, haha thanks.

 

This is normal now. Dealers do nothing to used cars except wash and wax. Days when Certified Pre-Owned meant all fluids replaced, all filters replaced, alignment done, wheel rebalanced check done are over. If you buying used vehicle expect to drop extra money right a way to get things replaced unless vehicle is less then 3 years old.

 

Pugga - thanks for the reminder. I'll go check out the How To for the Spark Plugs.