Oil Change Time

After hanging around TW for a few months and reading many great threads, I have decided to make the leap and start doing my own oil changes (always did my VW's back in the day, oil change and valve adjustments every 3k miles). Haven't serviced my own vehicles in years.

Anyway, I have ordered and received a 10 pack of Toyota oil filters and have 6 quarts of Mobile 1 and the 5/16" tubing. I will be turning wrenches this weekend!

My question is this, when doing an oil change are there any grease fittings to be lubed? Where are they? I have a 2012 4.0L Dbl Cab.

Thanks and I appreciate the inspiration that y'all have given me. I have even done a couple of mods. (installed sill protectors and a Tuffy security box.

Thanks again.

 

On your driveshaft ujoints there will be grease nipples. Both front and rear shafts. Not many other greasable parts. Possibly your front end(ball joints or outer tie rods).

Have fun, tacoma engines are so simple for oil! Love that.

 

^^^^
That's about it. 3 or 5 zerks on the driveshaft. Pretty easy to spot. As mentioned, these trucks are so freakin' easy to work on...it's awesome

 

This thread might help...

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...drive-shaft-propeller-2006-4x4-tacomas-7.html

 

Thanks for the info. Will let you know how it goes.

 

Planning to do the inaugural oil change on Sunday afternoon. Here is hoping there are no problems.

 

Do you have an automatic? Please please please make sure you open the OIL PAN drain plug and not the AUTOMATIC transmission drain plug!!

 

Drain oil, change filter (clean around it first), refill oil

 

Just don't drain the transmission fluid and dump it back into the coolant reservoir and you should be good....

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/33318-halp.html

 

I have looked around the undercarriage and have located the oil pan and drain plug.

The oil pan is formed sheet metal and the transmission looks to be cast aluminium. Is that correct?

 

The oil drain plug is a 14mm socket or wrench. The transmission plug is an Allen key. Both of mine are sheet metal.

Basically the transmission pan and plug is on the transmission....and engine oil pan is on the engine lol.

 

Chris has a detailed post about which one to drain.... Search away.

If in doubt, go for the one closest to the front of the vehicle...

 

It's also a smaller pan than the trans. That's what threw me off a bit the first time I did mine.

Also, it's recommended to replace the drain plug washer with each oil change to prevent a leak at the drain plug.

 

Or ...get a Fumoto drain valve. They're awesome!

 

Performed the my first oil change on my Taco this afternoon. It went well.

Thanks everyone for your input.

 

Just curious, if its a 2012? Doesn't it have a free factory 2 year maint plan?

 

yes

providing you are comfortable with a guy changing your oil who was washing dishes at Applebee's last week.

 

Ditto, what Larry said.

 

Hahaha I like that one