Question about brand new Tacoma break in etc.

Okay all you TW Pros out there. I am taking delivery of my brand new Tacoma monday and want to see if there is any advice as far as Break in advice etc. I am sure my owners manual will say somethings.. but wanted to know what you guys thought. I drive about 32 miles to work each way and is pretty much one speed the whole way.. not like variable in city driving. Also I have heard is a good idea to get a oil change after the first 500 miles or so?

 

Just drive it like you normally drive. No need to fuss with anything.

 

Okay cool.. I kinda figured that was the case. but I wanna do everything right to best of my ability with my new truck.. Thanks!

 

"Also I have heard is a good idea to get a oil change after the first 500 miles or so?" I think you answered your own question - somewhere between 500 and 1500 when you get a chance.

 

Changing the oil after 500 miles is just a waste of oil. Modern engines aren't anything like the old small blocks that had a lot of metal floating around in the oil new. Your modern oil filter will catch anything that happens to be in the oil. Some manufacturers, like Honda, even have an additive in the factory oil fill to aid in break in and specifically warn against changing the oil too soon.

As far as driving goes, just drive like normal or even a little harder for the first few hundred miles. Being intentionally "easy" has no benefit and can negatively impact it. I drove my truck pretty hard when I first got it, but we also did a 1500 mile road trip two weeks after I picked it up.

 

Okay thanks for that info. Is good to know.

 

When I got back, I noticed the mpg bumped up 4-5 after 1,000 miles or so. Started at 14 then increased to 19

 

I just bought a 2015 Tacoma back in late February, 2015 (less than three months ago). At 1,000 miles, I changed engine oil, Front and Rear differentials, and transfer case oil. Just for grins, I had the used oil analyzed even though it had only 1,000 miles on it. The link below is to the report for the engine. Highly elevated wear metals were present.

'][/URL]

 

Thanks for posting your oil analysis. Very good information. I'm picking up my new 2015 Tacoma next week, and will change oil between 500 and 1000 miles.
Did you fill with full synthetic? I have used Mobil1 for many years and have never had any engine issues.

 

That seems to verify that you had oil analyzed which had come from a brand new engine. Reading the comments section appears to me that they in effect said "Denis your oil came from a new engine and has exactly what is expected for oil coming from such an engine you should change your oil at the standard 5000 mile interval after two to three changes your oil will show normal (broken in levels).

Having been a ground support equipment technician in the Air Force I fully understand the importance of oil and changing it routinely. At the same time one can grossly over complicate things. Where aren't maintaining NASCAR or Formula One engines here these are trucks. I will say with confidence that 99% of Tacoma owners will be fine and have a long lasting engine following the 5k routine for oil. In extremely dusty conditions perhaps more often.

 

Thats how I feel from reading that also. Thanks Dennis for sharing that. Guys I can't tell you how excited I am about taking delivery monday on my first ever new vehicle and it is a TACOMA! It is so cool there is a forum like this. I feel better about being able to learn what I need and want to know now. I saw the thing about the tailgate theft and how to prevent it. But a though crossed my mind. Mine has a back up camera.. doesn't that mean there is some kind of wiring to the camera and thus not so easy to steal?

 

You have received good advice. Drive it sensibly and change the oil at 5K. Regular oil changes thereafter. Don't forget about the diffs and transfer case at the suggested intervals. I work with a number of commercial fleets and the number 1 factor for longevity is regular oil changes. Sounds so simple, but I amazed at those that don't do it.

 

I totally agree. My father owned a 2 stall garage under the city water tower in a small town and it amazed me the number of people who didn't do basic maintenance! You better believe this man is gonna make his first new vehicle his last vehicle! There is a feeling it is hard for me to put a word to about ... knowing the quality and longevity of my new truck and knowing that all proper maintenance and service WILL BE DONE because I KNOW IT WAS... Just feels good to know I am doing everything right for once. is that silly? best truck,
best longevity, brand new so nobody had made mistakes with it etc etc

 

Personally, I'm following the owners manual instructions:
#
Breaking in your new Toyota
To extend the life of the vehicle, the following precautions are recommended to observe:
●For the first 200 miles (300 km):
Avoid sudden stops.
●For the first 500 miles (800 km):
Do not tow a trailer.
●For the first 1000 miles (1600 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in the low gears.
• Do not drive slowly with the manual transmission in a high gear. • Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
#

I also intend to change the oil after the first 1k, then 5k, the switch to fully synthetic at 10k. Necessary? No. I don't think a little caution and care hurt though.

 

Thanks alot. I was gonna read my owners manual front to back and see what they said too. I get mine monday. Thanks though for that.

 

Np. Just picked mine up 3 weeks ago and I love it!

 

Congrats!