New Tacoma Owner! A few questions about vague manual descriptions...

Hello everybody, I'm super excited to be joining the Taco family with a new 2020 MGM TRD Sport. I'm coming from sport sedans (Q50 Red Sport/E39 M5) so a Tacoma is definitely slower than what I'm used to but I still love it. I think the 3.5 engine and transmission is fine for what it is and am genuinely shocked at all the hate the 3rd gen gets.

I was doing some research and reading through the manual and was confused about a few items (I did try to use the search function within the forum on the topics but could only find threads with conflicting opinions and no concrete answers)

1) The 4X4 maintenance. The manual suggests driving 10 miles a month to lubricate the front differential and that I shouldn't drive in 4X4 on dry pavement. My issue with this is that I simply don't have any off road areas anywhere near me where I can drive 4X4 in the recommended conditions. However, there a gravel road near me that's about 1/4 of a mile long so my questions are:

-Can I drive on the gravel road a few times a month in 4hi a few times a month be enough even its its not 10 miles?

-Is it really that bad to drive in 4X4 on dry pavement if I don't make any turns?

-If I drive in 4HI is there any need to engage 4LO? Is everything being adequately lubricated in 4LO?

2) Regular vs Premium fuel.

This seems to be a very hot button topic. I tried two tanks of 87 and two of 92 and the truck clearly drives smoother with 92. The manual states 87 or higher so my question is:

-Would running 92 octane have any long term negative effects on the engine? Does the "or higher" mean only use a higher octane only if 87 is not available?

I am simply asking if running a higher octane for the life of the vehicle has any negative effects, NOT whether it's a waste of money or whether it makes a difference in performance or gas mileage.

Thanks in advance, I understand these topics have been discussed ad nauseam and perhaps I'm not using the search function effectively but if anybody has any insight on my questions or any links to previous threads that have definitive answers it would much be appreciated.

 

Driving straight in 4wd hi is fine. Making turns causes drive line binding. Slight turns won't hurt, tight turns are no no

Running premium is fine.

 

The only thing I'd add to this is that yes, you do need to use 4wd regularly. I had 4low refuse to engage on my 4Runner. It's definitely a thing. Also, you don't need to do 10 miles. It's the engaging and disengaging that's important. I usually only do about 100 yards.

 

Welcome aboard, nice truck. I have run my 4x4s on both dry pavement for a bit, or short stints on gravel roads during the summer when that is all the choices I have, with no issues thus far.

 

Just out of curiosity , why wouldn't the manual mention anything about making sharp turns in 4wd? From my understanding this has the most potential to cause the most damage and for owners that aren't familiar with how a 4wd system works this seems crucial to know. I personally thought that 4wd functioned the same as AWD so I'm glad I looked further into how it actually functions.

 

1) I just use 4x4 on straight-ish roads for 3 miles once a month at ~50mph.
I tried to go in a drive thru in 4x4... and I had to go straight out of the line


2) Smoother on >87, but not necessary. No harm can be done.
Great video on it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxAQmj3P8xs

 

I reckon that they feel telling people not to do it in pavement at all will suffice.

It happens due to the fact that the wheels have to turn different speeds while turning.

Normally the open differential allows this to happen, the differential on the front does this with the front wheels and the rear diff handles the rear wheels, however the front and rear are now tied together though the transfer case and the front and rear can't turn different speeds. The driveshaft binds until a tire skips to release the pressure. Unless something else breaks first.

That is why it can't be used on pavement while turning

 

Awesome thanks for the info!! Y’all are already more helpful than all the guys on the infiniti and bmw forums haha

 

We have all forgot to turn our engaged 4 Hi off for one reason or another and it dosen't break anything but I guess it could . As soon as you make a corner you will feel it and say shit and turn it off . After you have had a 4x4 for years you can feel it on dry roads even going straight . Dont use it unless you need it and do the 100 yard thing once in awhile .

 

throw it in 4hi and go drive. be mindful of tight turns and youre right as rain. you can actually engage 4hi on the fly up to 60mph. that should be more that enough to...lubricate the differential.

i think matt at ovt said he left his 4hi on up to 100mph and regular driving while field testing their twin turbo setup. and he said all was well lol.

 

Awesome, that's good to know!! Thanks for the info