1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

3 months away change oil or let it sit?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Backt, Jun 1, 2016.

  1. Jun 1, 2016 at 10:09 PM
    #1
    Backt

    Backt [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2013
    Member:
    #117792
    Messages:
    417
    Gender:
    Male
    Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2012 Tacoma DCSB Off Road Pryrite Mica
    The truck will not be driven and will be parked in the garage. My current oil is at about 4x miles with mobile 1 synthetic so it doesn't need to be changed but would it be better to change it? If I get time I'm going to flush the transmission, power steering,, and brake fluid just because it hasn't ever been done to my knowledge at 60k.

    Any other things that may need to be done?
     
  2. Jun 1, 2016 at 10:15 PM
    #2
    JPinFL

    JPinFL Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 16, 2015
    Member:
    #169817
    Messages:
    918
    Vehicle:
    '01 Tacoma Xtra Cab 4x4
    Will it be started every once in a while? If not, you might need some kind of gas treatment/stabilizer so that the gas doesn't go bad.
     
  3. Jun 1, 2016 at 10:17 PM
    #3
    Sub_Par

    Sub_Par Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2015
    Member:
    #169939
    Messages:
    4,074
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    Buffalo NY
    Vehicle:
    2011 TRD Off Road
    I've always read it's best to change the oil in a vehicle that's sitting for extended periods of time. If the oil has run through the engine at all its not a bad idea to change it as it for some fresh oil, then again when before you drive it. The oil can become contaminated when the engine runs as it will become acidic as a by product of combustion, if that sits in the engine for those 3 months it could cause some wear or damage. Your money, your truck and your call but that's my opinion, 40 bucks for oil or potential issues down the road.
     
  4. Jun 1, 2016 at 10:25 PM
    #4
    Juggernaut

    Juggernaut Captain

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2009
    Member:
    #23111
    Messages:
    1,908
    Gender:
    Male
    Sacramento
    Vehicle:
    25 TRD OffRoad DCSB
    Many new cars only need oil changes once a year, so the oil will be fine. Our trucks need oil changes every 5k, so if you are at 4k I would probably change it anyways in your situation. You may want to use fuel stabilizer but that's probably overkill. Also pump your tires to max psi.
     
  5. Jun 2, 2016 at 8:53 AM
    #5
    PackCon

    PackCon Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2015
    Member:
    #159449
    Messages:
    11,569
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Connor
    Vehicle:
    2017 Subaru Forester Limited
    Everything you are mentioning isn't really important when a car is sitting for 3 months unused. Your battery and gas are bigger issues. Have someone run it at least 20-30 miles every couple weeks.

    All the fluids you mention are just fine sitting idle for 3 months. They don't go bad from just sitting there. Plus at 60K trans and diffs don't really need to be flushed unless you do heavy towing/hauling/ or lots of off roading. Every 100K is pretty fine on those items.
    Power steering like never needs to be touched unless their is a problem. Brake I don't touch until I have issues. I don't think I've ever had those flushed before in my trucks, even on brake changes.
     
  6. Jun 2, 2016 at 9:16 AM
    #6
    shakerhood

    shakerhood Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2015
    Member:
    #161370
    Messages:
    37,124
    Gender:
    Male
    Southern Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2017 MGM DCSB Off Road, 6 Speed MT, P&T
    I would absolutely change the oil before letting it sit and also put fuel stabilizer in the tank.
     
    Lester Lugnut likes this.
  7. Jun 2, 2016 at 1:03 PM
    #7
    McTeague

    McTeague Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2016
    Member:
    #177419
    Messages:
    363
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Alan
    Vehicle:
    2012 MGM Tacoma DCSB TRD Off Road
    Stock
    Stabilize the fuel and use a battery tender, that is all that is required for 3 months. You MIGHT consider putting it up on jack stands to avoid getting flat spots on the tires...
     
  8. Jun 2, 2016 at 11:19 PM
    #8
    Jimmyh

    Jimmyh Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2012
    Member:
    #78991
    Messages:
    14,293
    Gender:
    Male
    SC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prerunner SR5
    For those suggesting an oil change while it is sitting do you have a valid reason or just overkill?

    Synthetic oil with 4000 miles on it isn't going to hurt anything. To say it is going to damage something or cause wear is just silly. I would leave it until I come back and change it soon after.

    Gas just dump some Stabil or equivalent in the tank and fill it up to prevent moisture condensation.

    Get it up off the tires to prevent flat spots.

    and Battery Tender will help prolong the battery life for the long run.
     
    Last edited: Jun 3, 2016
    kgarrett11 likes this.
  9. Jun 2, 2016 at 11:29 PM
    #9
    Backt

    Backt [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2013
    Member:
    #117792
    Messages:
    417
    Gender:
    Male
    Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2012 Tacoma DCSB Off Road Pryrite Mica
    Thanks I'll put some stabil in it and forget about it. The other items are just Preventative things and should be taken care of in my opinion.
     
  10. Jun 2, 2016 at 11:37 PM
    #10
    Taco Pete626

    Taco Pete626 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2012
    Member:
    #94116
    Messages:
    623
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Peter
    Southern California
    Vehicle:
    2013 Regular Cab 5-spd (Sold )
    - Undercover Flex tonneau cover - Pop N Lock tailgate lock - Weathertech DigitalFit floor liner - Sick Speed Ol' Skool white shift knob - Bench seat mod - Wiper mod - Cruise control mod
    I'd say leave the oil. Put fuel treatment in the tank and fill it up a day or two before storage. It takes a long time for the oil to become acidic enough to start becoming harmful to the engine. I see that you are using Mobil 1 synthetic. At only 4K-ish I wouldn't worry about it. Hell it could probably go double and be ok.

    Ya know what I am surprised that TW doesn't have a more used oil analysis threads. Considering all the mods and technical stuff that others have shared, I figure there should be more interest in it.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top