Tacoma Maintenance

I know some of these maintenance items that i’m doing might be overkill, and probably not needed for a while, but I just want your thoughts. So currently at 89k miles on a 2016 tacoma limited, so around 9 years when i first bought it. I was wondering if you guys think, if i should do a coolant drain and fill, where I drain the radiator, block, and reservoir. Then probably do a power steering flush basically, where I pull the return line, I don't know if thatll work, if not just suck out whats in the reservoir. Then still debating if I want to even do a drain and fill on the transmission, or dropping the pan and changing the filters.

 

If they haven’t been done, sure, all of the above is certainly a good idea. 89k should be safe for the transmission.

A drain and fill, maybe an extra to get more out should do fine but if you want to go through dropping the pan and cleaning the magnets and the pan there should be no harm in it. May as well change the filter too if you’re going to do that, just don’t forget the O ring, that’s a separate part to order.

Wouldn’t hurt to add a brake fluid change too most likely.

 

Check out Team Oil Drop’s How To videos in post #1. I always do maintenance sooner than later.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-maintenance-maps-get-300k-miles.789809/

 

Your coolant is nine years old?

 

Power steering and transmission - definitely. I did a drain/fill at 60 then I repeated the procedure at 75k. I'll repeat it again at 120k. The second drain fill is completely unnecessary, but it makes me feel better.

For power steering, the hose disconnect, crank the wheel until it's flushed method is super easy. Technically it's supposed to be done every couple of years. I do it when I remember to do it.

Coolant- debatable whether to do now or at the 100k mile interval when it's due.

 

2025 - 2016 = 9

 

Do people really go ten years on SLLC??? It's your Toyota, but damn it's a cheap maintenance item.

 

I bet the average car owner never changes the coolant unless their oil change place upsells them on it.

 

No they don't they wait for the coolant reservoir to deteriorate and add coolant until it's time to trade.

 

what is SLLC? because i can guarantee i haven't changed it.

 

I replaced my coolant along with new radiator hoses and a new serpentine belt on my then 17 year old Tacoma last summer at 250,000 miles. The coolant was fine, but I felt like it was time for new hoses.

I'll replace the transmission fluid with a new transmission if the factory one ever dies.

Oil, lubricants, and filters get replaced on a regular basis. With most everything else I don't fix it if it ain't broke.

 

I'm glad you asked that. I just quietly assumed they were talking about some kind of investment firm based out of northern Utah.

Which, sure, one should comparison shop their brokerage about as often as they change coolant, but it was a weird thing to say in context.

 

super long life coolant ; and don't wait 100k to change it. I change it about every 30k.

 

I prefer to change the coolant out more often than recommended, althought most major brands products that meet specifications are generally fine I prefer OEM for this application.

The additives in the coolant are the only thing protecting the head gaskets and how it looks isn't an accurate way to determine how much additive remains.

 

I perfer to use Toyota branded coolant, the dealer sells it for a reasonable cost. It takes 2 gallons to do a full service.

Toyota made draining the coolant very easy.

Get some 5/16" ID hose, it fits the radiator drain too. If you leave the radiator cap on when you drain the radiator (before draining the block) it will siphon the fluid out of the recovery bottle too.



After you have got all you can from the radiator, draining the block is easy, now remove the radiator cap.
Remove the passenger wheel, pop the top plastic clip out and gently fold the splash shield down.



And find this handy block drain.



A long extension and a 10MM socket.



The coolant won't gush out, just get it draining and go do something else for a while.

Fill it up nice and slow, keep squeezing the top radiator hose to work the air out.

Double check/top up the level in the recovery bottle after a few days.