A series of questions

Good morning everyone

In an effort to keep this forum clean I’m posting a series of questions under one thread. I’m sure these questions have been asked a million times but I’m looking for clean concise answers.

I’d like to spray a protectant on my frame. What could I use that is safe for electrical, everything going on down there lol. Multiple sources say fluid film works, but does it?

265/75/16 tire size - this is probably a silly question but I’m looking at bumping my tire size up. I know this size will work physically but with the added height would it mess up any sensors? Would it make my transmission work way over time? I like the look of the larger tires but not at the expense of my vehicle.

I’m coming up on my first oil change. Which brand and how much oil should I provide my mechanic with? I used mobile 1 on my 2nd gen. Also - which brand oil filter is best? I’ve heard Napa gold is good.

Thank you!!

 

You arent going to get clean concise answers on any of those, as they are all opinions, and people will express theirs with volume.

Fluid film shouldn't mess up your electrical. Others will recommend other brands.

Almost nobody has reported problems with that tire size. It will have a mild impact on your gas mileage.

The 3.5L takes 6.1 quarts of

$59 0W-20 oil Toyota/ exxon mobil Case of 6 Quarts Full Synthetic TGMO SN 0W-20 Oil

0W-20 oil and a cartridge filter. Your mechanic should have this in stock. Your truck will not blow up if you cannot decide whether your oil is packaged in a yellow, gray, or black container.

 

thank you and agreed! those answers are great. Appreciate it

 

Question 1: I live in the sunny south. Someone who lives above the Mason Dixon line will provide info on that stuff.

Question 2: going "+1" on your tire size won't impact anything but your gas mileage. Expect at least a 1 to 2 mpg hit.

Question 3: any quality synthetic 0W20 will do. OEM filters are sold at Wally World for around $7 bucks.

 

1. No clue about undercarriage protectant since I live in the desert.
2. Fuel economy decreased about 10% when in installed 265 75 16 SL load range tires. No other issues.
3. Tacoma filter is $5 from dealership. Whatever 0w20 name brand oil is cheap at is what I recommend. You own a low performance Toyota so it doesn't matter.

 

I would expect larger tires to mess with the accuracy of your speedometer and odometer.

 

With 265/75/16 tires, your speedometer will actually be 100% accurate. Mine was not accurate with the 245 tires that came from the factory. It became accurate once I bumped up to 265/75/16 tires. All sensors and everything else works just fine!

 

Cosmoline all day long for undercarriage. Cosmoline is more thick and kind of waxy so it sticks better to the frame and doesn't wash off as easily as fluid film, which is more oily and kind of thinner. And if you're really concerned about rust you can just fluid film over the cosmoline too. Haven't had any problems with using either.

 

the 2GR-FKS is compatible with 0w-20 up to 15w-40. 0w-20 being the most thin oil allowed. I personally suggest using a heavier weight for more engine protection, but the choice is yours.

 

This**^^^^
Please don’t ask about oil on TW. You get hundreds of reply’s from people who know nothing about oil but know you need to use the same oil as they do cause their oil is the best. There are zillions of oil threads on this site.

 

^^^ These guys.

1) Fluid Film. I spray that s#!+ on everything. Cosmoline is good stuff, too. I’ve used FF for years and have not come across any adverse reactions. I expect Cosmo to be equally as safe.

2) No and no. Sensors, will be fine, transmission will be fine, you’ll be fine. Tire diameter will be 1.1” bigger or 3.6%. So, very small impact on speedo / mileage.

3) 2 gallon jugs of oil and a filter element. Can’t go wrong with Mobil 1. Wally World carries the genuine Toyota filter element. And you’re done!

 

2 gallon jugs of oil are 6 quarts. Did you mean to say "grab a 5 quart and a one quart jugs of oil'?

 

1. use Fluid Film and have not issue with it other than it smells funny for a few days. Woolwax and surface shield are good also.
2. I have 265/75/16's on my SR5 4x4 with no lift. You will loose a MPG or two but won't have any issues with it.
3. There is so much debate here on oil. don't go crazy. Any 0w20 will be synthetic and be fine whatever they have at walmart even supertech is fine. I prefer the Toyota filter, wal-mart sells for like $7 but you can sometimes get cheaper at some dealers. Nappa Gold is fine too

 

I can give you good info on your first question only.

Fluid film is what you want, but dont get the spray cans of it. The spray cans wash off really really easy and you lose all protection. Buy it in the 1 gallon cans and use a undercoating spray gun and a air compressor. The coating will go on thicker and last way longer. Plus in the 1 gallon cans you can get black so it doesnt look like you smothered your frame in vaseline.

You can get a few spray cans for touch ups, I spray my hitch receiver with those cans as its constantly getting rubbed by the hitch, I also spray inside the rocker panels with the spray cans as they are not exposed to the elements (remove rubber plugs under rocker panels to spray in there)

 

Nope. And 2 gallons is 8 quarts.

How much? Enough to do the job. How much is that? Well, 2 gallons is enough. (I save the extra for my next oil change.) Now… “How much oil should the mechanic put in my engine?” …that is a different question.

I hope both the OP and the mechanic know to read a dip stick.

 

you are right, 8 quarts. I was thinking only 6 are needed.

 

Here is my lunacy. I started with two 5-quart jugs and an 8 quart dispenser. For my first change I measured out 6 quarts in the dispenser and then stuck 4 quarts on the shelf.

Every change after that, I emptied the shelf jug, and then used a new 5 quart jug to top off my dispenser.

I think at the moment I have 2 quarts inside of the 5 quart jug on my shelf. However, I'm about to change oil on my newest car, which takes 4.3 quarts of the same oil. That's gonna mess my system up.

 

That's why I splurge on 1 qrt bottles, when I see them on clearance sales, can use 5+1 in my van.
Wife's RAV uses 4 qrts, so I am hoping I can use 2 of 5 quart jugs for RAV and Taco, and have no leftovers. My "no leftovers" OCD will be happy. Just need to get over "mixing different brands of oil" OCD. Doing oil changes on them this weekend.

I use any leftover syn oil as gun oil too, so that helps to keep the clutter down too.

 

For oil...I use what Chloe Kuo uses every 5K mile oil change:



I get it from Walmart.com for regular price: $28.27 with free shipping.

Right now, it's on sale for $24.97.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Chevron-...MIg936sPLqhgMVbQKtBh1Y1QJYEAQYASABEgI-1fD_BwE

 

Send it!