Preventative Maint for Ignition

I will be driving my 2015 TRD Sport across Canada in Sept and through many remote areas. I would like to do everything possible to prevent mechanical issues on the road.

One thing that has me concerned is that I calculated the truck has been started approximately 17,000 times. I have replaced the battery but is there anything preventative-wise I can do? Replace the starter motor or any other part of the ignition system? I don't mind spending some money on this as it will give me peace of mind should there be a benefit.

The truck only has 80k km (lots of short trips used for work). Anything else I should look at doing before a long remote drive?

 

Leave starter alone. Change fluids a few weeks before you leave, just the standard maintenance per schedule. Make sure you have good tires. If towing the consider flushing the transmission fluid. Get an ultragauge or scangauge if you want more live info.

 

Keep the car running if you're just going into a store 2 mins to grab something

 

Nothing on the ignition system? How many starts are these things rated for?

 

Spark plugs are due every 48,000km and because of the age I'd suggest a throttle body clean and MAF clean.

Probably better videos but heres one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMbmMzhqm7U

Before any long test go to a parts store and have them perform a battery test for peace of mind.

Check your spare tire mechanism by dropping the tire and check its pressure as well.

 

You could carry a spare starter??

 

You don't calculate how much it's been started. You look at the mileage.

And replace anything that is obviously worn by being faulty or by inspecting for wear.
It's a Toyota.

Yes you can start throwing parts at it. But it's very possible you'll have a good part right now that will last much longer and waste money to replace it.
I don't know about you but I don't have the money for that.

Should I do the following? Yes.
-alternator
-CSF rad
-condenser
-A/C compressor
-LCA
-JeepCables
etc.

Again. Money.

I also have higher miles, know it's on their last legs, and performing not up to par. It is obvious.

These cars don't go through coils like Audi/VW on 57 revisions known for them going bad all the time, in which case the solution by a sensible person is to carry spare(s).
Ignition is plugs and coils. Plugs have a service interval.
Besides that, the fuel pump is a shitty design without a separately replaceable filter. I believe URD has a solution for that. Also on the list.

 

A starter is one of those things that you really can't predict how long they will last, it may die soon or it may go 200k+ before it dies.

Typically starters give some warning before they crap out completely though.

One thing you can do to get the best life out of a starter and alternator on a vehicle is keep a good battery in it, a weak battery puts alot more stress on them.

 

if your starter goes out
you push start it

 

2x for the battery. Preventative maintenance would include checking for acid growing on the terminals. If yes, cleaning the acid off. Checking the terminals and posts for oxidation. If yes brushing them clean with a battery brush. Doing some sort of corrosion prevention like corrosion prevention coating and or corrosion prevention felt pads.

You could take it a step further and do a starter voltage drop test. If it’s close to failing and the battery is close to being over 3 years old you could replace it or carry a GOOD jumper pack. Most batteries over 5 years old will fail the test, but I will see them pass, maybe 1 out of 40. When I bought mine it had a 7 year old trustart that was passing but it needed replacing soon after that.

 

there are battery testers.

I have a CTEK. It was about $50. They recommend running it on restore mode once a year for battery maintenance which I do. It makes a noticeable difference.

 

I had to rebuild my starter solenoid at 45K Miles. Contacts were burned.

 

Umm.. 80k km is like 50k miles

Check the battery, engine oil, coolant and tire pressure, fill the gas tank and go

I'm betting you did the plugs at 30k like stated in the manual?

Just drive it