What's your new truck's fluid change philosophy?

It seems some people feel that new car engines are desiged so well in this era that it is only necessary to change out fluids in the engine, transmission and rear end, when the manufacturer recommends it.

While others feel that it is wise the change out the new car engine oil, trans fluid, and rear end fluid ASAP because new engines, transmissions and rear ends have assembly lubes and possibly fine materials/metals from the initial assembly that must be flushed out before causing wear in the future.

What's your personal take on this?

 

Engine and dff. should be changed.

As I was told by my "New Owners Meeting" that my dealership holds for new owners, according to the dealership the tranny (manual) is sealed and the fluid is designed to last the life of the vehicle. Just went to the meeting and haven't had time to check yet, but the mechanic told me the tranny has a drain plug, but it's a big deal to add fluid as there isn't (supposedly) a normal fill plug for the tranny. That they have to use a computer assisted pump to fill to proper level. They've only done one Taco, as an owner insisted on changing his fluid at the 60k mark.

I don't think I will "never" change my tranny fluiid either. I normally change mine in other vehicles between 60 - 75k

 

Its actually pretty easy to do the transmission, nothing special with the drain or fill. It does have a magnetic drain plug. capacity is 1.9qt

 

I've done mine twice now. from 30-41k miles it got pretty filthy & it was Amsoil. NOW I have Redline MT-90 in there, shifts a little better, and it's better on the copper parts.

 

I hope that's bad info for the I4 5 speed because I am planning to switch to synthetic.

 

I have a manual trans. so that'll be around 100,000 miles, my diffs will be at 50,000, engine oil always at 5000.

 

I thought that the mechanic story sounded strange. He did mention that it was Amsoil so at least he got that right! When I get back home (otta state right now) I plan to take a close look at it. I'll have to take a look at Redline as I was planning on staying with Amsoil.

At the meeting they recommended 30k for diff. oil change. I might change mine then (breakin) and 50k then on.

 

Er, I fit in the "others" category and believe in changing the fluids because of the break-in as you describe. If you decide not to do so thats probably fine too. I just did it because I did the work myself and fluids aren`t that expensive. Not ASAP though, for me it was something like engine oil @ 1000, 3000, then every 5k
Transmission @ every 25k (drain &fill auto), transfer case I think around 10k (pretty much once a year) The diffs I went longer I think about 40k then 120k.

 

im a toyota service advisor,trans is ws fluid. never change it. oil every 5,000 miles and my rear diff every 30,000 miles

 

what is ws fluid?

 

Exactly what I was told. My question as well - what is ws fluid? And why not change it? Especially after a breakin period.

 

lets guess Winter/Summer?

 

Waiting on a Quick Valve to install in the pan with the 1st oil change of probably 1500 miles. I know old school thoughts here. After that every 4000 to 5000 with GTX 5w-30 and a Toyota filter depending on use. Transmission with a full flush, Diff's, and the transfer about every 35,000. I may go to synthetic but never really saw the need. If your going to change it regularly with the same mileage limits anyway why use the high dollar stuff. I did switch to synthetic on the Harley mainly because it is an air cooled motor.

 

In my jeep I change the motor oil every 3000 miles, but when I had my owners meeting at the dealer they told me every 5000 on the 4.0 Taco. Plus the first 3 are free, I think 5000 miles on the break in oil is too much. But what do I know! I have the 5 speed auto so I will check the owners manual and see what is recommends, same with the diffs.

 

Interesting. I planned on changing all the fluids including the manual tranny just so I could add the Microlon treatment to it.

They even have Microlon for the wheel bearing re-pack.

 

I just did mine this weekend, front and rear diff, manual tranny and transfer case. All Amsoil, gl-4 in the tranny and case, severe gear in the diffs.

Shifting into 2nd prior to the change was less than smooth, almost impossible on really cold days. Now it's much smoother.

Front and rear diffs needed it. Very dark fluid in both, lots of "stuff" on the magnets. Tranny and case were pretty clean.

Glad I did it as I only got a quart out of the tranny, so it was almost a quart low.

 

Yeah I put amsoil thorughout in mine too. The rear diff had soem nasties in it with only 15k on it. I noticed a big difference in shifting with the manual five speed too it shifts MUCH smoother.

 

My maintenance guide says:
Change oil, filter, and rotate tires. every 5,000.

If you tow, replace front and rear differentials, torque & lube propeller shaft at 15,000.

Replace rear differential (vehicles with limited slip only), plugs (V6), and if you tow the transfer, both differentials and manual transmission at 30,000.

If you tow it showes auto transmission at 60,000 with front & rear differential and transfer again.

I don't really see a mileage or time limit on the coolant.

I guess I'll stick to past practice. Oil, filter, tires at 4 to 5,000. Both differentials, transfer, and auto transmission flush at 30 to 35,000. Coolant every three years. A good lube underneath every other oil change.

 

Coolant for the gen 2 tacomas is 100,000miles or 10 years and 50,000 miles or 5 years after that.