I'm lazy. What do people like for fluids?

I have a new to me 95. Just hit 100k miles. Timing belt and water pump were done at 95k miles, but I want to do a full fluid change out.

I wheel maybe once a year. Car is 95% stock. I use it for dump runs, Menards runs, and when I feel like driving a truck...It's a street truck. Mostly I baby it. It's garaged.

What gear oil/fluid do people like for:
Front diff
Rear diff
Transmission (it's a manual)
Transfer case
Coolant
Power steering
Brake fluid

I know fluid and oil are like religion and I must confess I didn't search to much...But if there is consensus like "this makes the 5 speed shift like butter" I'd love to know.

If the answer is go buy all OEM fluids I'm good with that too.

Thanks gents.

 

Man, at least try to use the search function...

Mobil1

$30 75w-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75w-90
Mobil1 75w-90
Redline MT-90
Mobil1 75w-90
OEM Toyota red coolant
ATF Synth Dex/Merc or synth PS fluid
Synth DOT 3

 

I did try search. I swear I did!!



Thanks for humoring me.

Where would I use ATF? (My trans is a 5mt)

 

Google

 

Powersteering, Toyota uses DIII for fluid.

 

look in your manual and get what it calls/ is rated to use.

Get OEM coolant.

You won't find a tranny fluid that makes it shift like butter. Nope.

Sure, if you're overly anal about wasting your money, go grab royal purple or whatever nonsense people like to buy that they don't need BECAUSE RACE CAR. But whatever is on sale is fine too

 

I use all Valvoline with some lubegard(transmission and motor). recently went with Lubegard powersteering, but just found out that tacomas take atf fluid. So I'm swapping it out and filling with ATF Valvoline.

Just use what ever fluid your comfortable with, remember it's a truck.

 

What part of the world your in also plays in.

Myself I use 85/140 gear oil (Wolfs Head) in all the gear boxes and rears

I have used this for the past 30 years maybe a 1/3 of the drum left

Coolant Toyota Red

Brake Fluid DOT 3 whatever Napa Has in gallons

Same with Power Steering fluid Napa ATF

 

If you're lazy why are you worried about fluids? Stock will be fine for the life of the truck!

 

Its amazing how many people miss all the info on the cap of the steering pump that says to use ATF and end up with regular old school power steering fluid in there. I once even had to tell a fairly large legitimate shop to put atf in there after a series of steering issues i was having under a warranty situation. Dude looked at me like i was crazy then told me oh yeah we got it under control. Well what do ya all think was in there when i went outside and checked before leaving?? Yip, fuckin clear ass cheap steering fluid! Had to go back in and set the dude straight....

 

Royal Purple sucks in our tranny gearbox.

At least for me

 

I use Valvoline everything exept for OEM Coolant. Oh and i did flush my powersteering then relized i was out of Valavoline ATF so i used ProLine ATF and so far so good. Try to stick to OEM or Valvoline as much as i can tho.

 

thanks for all the responses gents!

 

For fluids I enjoy Beer and Whisky. And Whiskey.
And milk, on my cereal. And coffee in the morning...
And water if I'm working or working out.

 

Close enough for me, except Mobil 1 synthetic ATF for the power steering.

 

At that point you should be getting a new pump and rack. Regular steering fluid kills them almost immediately!

 

I use Amsoil 75-110 in both diffs, Amsoil in the transfer case, and Amsoil 10-30 Signature in the engine at 7500 mile intervals. For power steering I have been siphoning fluid out every now and then with a turkey baster and filling it back up with Valvoline Dexron III or maybe it's the synthetic blend Dexron IV. It all works fine for me down to 25 below zero. The Amsoil GL-4 rated lube I use in the transfer case works quite well once it's warmed up. As for the tranny? I can't remember but it's whatever Amsoil recommends for my 2004. It's pretty notchy when it's cold but slicks right up once it's been driven a few miles even when it's below zero.

I just use Amsoil in everything and run slightly heavier weights in the diffs and engine. I don't take advantage of the real change intervals that I could but I extend them quite a bit. Amsoil Signature can go 15,000 miles in the engine. So they say. I had an oil sample taken the last change and they said it looked so good at 7300+ that I should go another 2000 for the next one which I won't. Amsoil says their gear oil will go 150,000 miles. I'll change mine out at 60,000 and get oil analysis done to see if I want to double that. Toyota says 30,000 for diffs and 5000 for engine.

Only use synthetic if you are going to extend the change intervals or if you just want better protection for really severe conditions such as real hot temps while towing or frigid temps well below zero.. Different brands have different synthetics. Amsoil's Signature is worthless for 5000 mile intervals but their Signature is 100% synthetic instead of a blend like Mobil 1 and others. Pennzoil Platinum is also advertised as 100% pure synthetic. Most "synthetics" aren't. Same with Mobil 1 Extended. Both companies make a synthetic one notch below their highest mileage oils if you are going to change more frequently.

I run synthetic oil for the same reason I run Iridium plugs. I don't like wrenching on my Taco all the time. When it comes to the oil though the extra protection of the synthetic in all conditions is another reason for using it other than extended drain intervals. It handles cold and hot extremes FAR better than dino.

The best reasons to use fully synthetic oil and Iridium plugs is because you are too busy or lazy. I fall into both categories. It cost's more but you have to do it far less often. If it's really freakin' hot or really freakin' cold where you live and you have to do it outside because you don't have a garage then the expense of both is justified once again.