3rd Gen DIY maintenance quick reference

Am I correct Toyota says 10k for first oil change? What miles are you guys changing your oil at the first time?

 

I did my first at 1000 but I have OCD. I just think it's a good idea for a new engine. Sure others will disagree but it's my $$ and my truck. 10k for normal usage according to the maintainance manual. 5k for special operating conditions

 

Did mine at 1200.
Regardless of what anyone says, there's lots of junk in there that needs to get out.
Toyota care has free oil changes at 5k and 10k miles. Then they say change every 10k after that.
I'll have toyota do the free ones then I'll switch to my regular routine after that.

 

Ya. I do every 5k. I have heard and read both sides of the argument about every 10k but for $40 every other 5 months to help me sleep better seems worth it.

 

Cool. I'll do my first one early as well. Synthetic? Toyotacare says 5k or 6 months. If you don't hit 5k in 6 will thy still do it at 6? After you get into your normal what do you like to do the oil changes at?

 

It's 0-20w oil. It's only made in synthetic

 

It's an "or", they want you to service it whichever comes first.

 

I use Amsoil high performance synthetic with the extended drain intervals... Change mine every 10 months. The bottle says 25k miles/1 year but I do 10 months just to be safe.

 

Thank you sir.

 

I did mine at 2,000.

 

Waiting for 10K.

G.

 

I always do first change at 500 then second at 1500 then at 3000 and every 3000 there after unless time is the changing factor .
I had a 78 formula firebird that I put less than 500 miles a year on and changed the synthetic oil in it every other year. I never saw anything bad in the oil after 2 years . I was told that dino oil is more organic , and crap can grow in it after time . Synthetic does not seem to have that problem , as I never saw it . I had the car for nearly 20 years . My towing vehicle gets less than 2000 miles a year and I do it once a year , again with synthetic . I know that most if not all oil companies say to change after 6 months or 1 year , even synthetic etc. I feel this is to protect themselves and also to sell more oil.
New TRDOR will get it a 500 , 1500, 3000 , then most likely once a year. It will likely accumulate less than 3000 a year on it after the honeymoon first year.
GREAT info on the maint. by the way . Printed and saved . Thanks.

 

1st oil change at 4000km,, op I need some info please sir @renau001 ,, looking for the size of ring in the rear axle ,, ratio is 4.30 ,, I need however the diameter of the ring in the 6sp mt trd sport please and thanks or anybody with info !! Looking to Go to 4.88,,

 

Sorry, don't have that part of the manual.

 

Regarding the early oil change discussion. My opinion is that any early oil change (around the 1k or 2k mark) should be looked at as nothing more than insurance. There really should be no reason to do it early, but if there was something in there you didn't want, it'd be nice to get it out sooner than later and to know about it sooner than later. Considering all the manufacturing issues that have been seen (fluid levels, dry u-joints, etc.) and a few members posting pics of metal particle in their filter housing I would probably change between 1500-2000 miles. I would not change before your 1000 mile break-in period is over. But again, if you do that hopefully you'll find nothing of concern and feel it was a waste of your time after the fact. (On my new 4Runner I changed it at about ~2k and felt it was a waste afterwards). I will say though that be aware, everything has a risk/reward and every time you perform maintenance on your vehicle, there is risk of introducing a problem so weigh that in your decision. In general, you want to perform as much maintenance as is necessary, but no more. Also realize that anything you hear about changing oil early is just personal opinion. The only official position is that which is put out by Toyota in your maintenance guide, and again there should be no reason to change it before Toyota tells you to.

 

Another tip on the oil filter plug to prevent removing both at the same time. If you try to loosen it slowly/smoothly they will try and move together. If you "hit it" a little bit simulating an impact the plug should loosen and the housing will stay put.

 

Great thread! A lot of great information here. I'm in South Florida, my dealer hooked me up on my first oil change. I got friendly with the service manager. He mentioned that for customers he has no problem adjusting the Toyota Care maintenance. In other words, Toyota wants the first service done at 5K but doesn't include an oil change. The 10K includes an oil change. If you bring it in at 5K he will just give you the 10K service early if you want and so on for the other scheduled services. I don't know the polices at other dealers but they seem pretty cool about it at this one.

 

The manual says to use toyota brand transfercase fluid. Does anyone know if just 75w90 amsoil severe gear would be fine in the transfer case?

 

You'll never get anything official cos there is no equivalent transfer fluid made currently. But you will see plenty of folks including lots of dealers saying 75w90 gear oil is okay. That doesn't necessarily make it right. Does anybody know for sure exactly what could be different in the new Tacoma than other vehicles, if they do they're probably not telling.

Honestly, unless you qualify for severe service and are changing every 30k, you should be replacing so infrequently, why not just use the Toyota stuff. It's good fluid and you can get it for ~$50 for a liter which is all you'll need for a drain and fill.

 

75w90 is approved