Should i Stop stressing about Longevity?

Although I agree with the majority of your post, I find nothing wrong with detailing a truck. I understand that it's a truck and some don't waste their time making sure it is smooth as glass. I get it, but some of us (I'm included) like having a pretty truck. I grew up in a family where my father would wash the truck every weekend, sometimes during the week too! Unless it was raining, he made sure it was clean. OP shouldn't feel bad about having a clean truck, he just likes taking care of his possessions. That's being smart

 

yes i had thought about that, a lot of those OOOOLD vehicles with computers, are still working perfectly fine like first generation quartz watches lol

 

i change my oil roughly every 3k miles or once a year, I DO aggree that i go overboard every 2 weeks re-applying Vinylex to the rubber
but in closing i will say im not a car person, This truck, is my "Lamborgini" =)

all of your comforting words do help, perhaps ill have a little more free time and less stress after having talked to all of you about it.

Its just a piece of metal, its not a human life.

 

Check out the 350,000 mile thread. He has almost 400,000 miles on his truck now and it still looks new. That is someone who really uses their truck.

 

I actually have an appointment to get my truck detailed at a local specialty shop next weekend. This is something I do every few years to return it to like-new cleanliness every so often, instead of just "letting it go" LOL

So there's nothing wrong with having a pretty truck. Maybe the difference is, I see my truck as a tool. It does exactly what it's supposed to, and I take good care of it. It supports some of my activities and hobbies, and provides reliable transportation. It is not the center of my lifestyle and its appearance does not affect my self-image or self-worth. I really like my truck and plan to drive it until the wheels fall off, but I am not quite as "passionate" about it as others are here. But I am passionate about mechanical things in general.

 

I don't want to make it sound worst, but even if you only drive 3800 miles a year, you should still change your oil twice a year. From the Tacoma 2011 Warranty and Maintenance: guide:

 

Very true.
And when the truck is out of warranty, if it isn't already, he can change it once a year (synthetic) and it will be great. This annual synthetic oil change thing is common practice nowadays, and especially safe for vehicles like this one that see low annual mileage. (I won't get into extended service oil filters here.) The engine and oil need to reach normal operating temperature at least once per month.

The guy on the 300k mile thread says he uses M1 EP 5w30 and drives up to 12k miles between oil changes. It has lasted 350k and still runs great. This doesn't address time intervals but it certainly is a long way to go, and a testament to modern synthetic oils.

We all worry too much about our trucks.

 

this is why i knew it would be a good idea to post. thank you for this information.

 

Maybe just to be safe ill change the oil every sunday. he he =)

i agree, i have only heard good things about Synthetic oils.

 

This is very true, especially when they are on the new side of life. You just hate the idea of ruining a $30,000+ truck. Reality is that as long as you change the fluids when you should they will last longer than most people here want to drive them. I participate in obsessing too, I already did my rear diff and will be doing my transfer case, front diff, and transmission fluid in the spring at about 6 months old, which is probably a little over the top.

Look at how many people only get their oil changed and do a bad job at doing that on time, and even their vehicles last a long time.

 

That last post brought me into another potential topic:

Where i Live there is a company "Rapid Rover" They have a fleet of Ford Econoline Vans.
I had a friend who's mom worked for them, ALL of their vehicles hit the 380k-400k mark before being sold for dirt cheap.
He actually bought one with 390k on it for 1000 dollars and it continued to serve him well all until the last i ever heard from him.

I bring this up because it makes me wonder...

Those shuttle vehicles are practically running 24 hours a day, idling at the airport and back and forth picking up people.
they are always hot, and running...rarely cooling down and resting overnight.

Is it possible that due to the hardly getting cold overnight and constant servicing/inspection these vehicles live longer than your Average F150 truck does?
I generally see the average F150 DIE at around 230k (at best) in our shop...And i cant help but wonder the difference it had during its life owned by a regular joe VS a shuttle companies "constant ON" approach

perhaps I should have taken this to a NEW thread but this is still on a "longevity" theme.

 

You bring up VERY good points, a few people around me justify Leasing because "just like a cellphone" once its 2 years old, its OBSOLETE...or no longer trustworthy.

even my friends 200k Honda civic serves her well while im positive MOST people i know wouldn't TOUCH a used car with that many miles.
I feel that if a car costs even 1000 dollars a year in repairs to maintain..its STILL cheaper than making a monthly 300+ payment LOL.

 

In a sense, yes. A fleet vehicle will tend to out last a personal commuter due to one simple reason: travel duration. Starting a car multiple times while the engine being cold increases wear "dramatically". There isn't anything anyone can do about it, but more wear is presented while cold. Another MAJOR factor is area. In a city, red lights create a lot of stopping and going. This puts a lot of stress on the transmission and engine as well. Considering a fleet vehicle is running way more than a personal car, miles "don't" mean much. As long as maintainence is performed, a vehicle will last quite awhile.

 

Thats my problem. I have nowhere to go. I have to put miles on so will use the Tacoma for all trips. I took delivery Oct 12 and still on my first full tank of fuel.......287 miles thus far. Dealer filled up on delivery. I did a partial fill up to start Fuelly tracking.

 

holy moly. Use the truck

 

I treat it like Nigel from spinal Tap treats that guitar with the ole "tagger" on it, ...he's never even played it.

 

To me leasing only makes sense in one case and that is if you get a new car every couple years for whatever reason, and even then you are probably better off buying and selling them. Playing the residual value game with a lease is betting against the house. By the time you get through two 3 year leases you could have owned the first for about the same price.

 

My previous truck to my current 2015 TRD had 300k on it, and looked destined to be driven forever. It was the age and condition that folks used to ask me if I wanted to sell it during fill ups and stops. Then, one morning a drunk and stoner on the way home from an all night party T boned it at 130 km/hour in the middle of an intersection of a quiet village and killed it. Almost killed me and my wife too. I learned that trucks don't matter much. The insurance gave me $4500 for it.

 

That is quite a testament to the safety of these trucks which is in reality the most important factor considering driving is the riskiest thing most people do. I am glad that you guys made it out. What style cab was it?