How to make my engine last 400,000 miles or more?

My 2002 Tacoma 2.7l automatic has 217,000miles on it. What can I do to make it last another 200,000miles? I only use chevron gas, Mobil 1 full synthetic 5W-30 high mileage oil, Toyota factory oil, air and fuel filters. Oil change every 3,000miles, add a bottle of Chevron complete fuel system cleaner every 3,000miles, air filter every 15,000miles, fuel filter every 30,000miles, and coolant every 60,000miles. Any more recommendations or thoughts? Just trying to do the most I can to make her last a long time.

 

Keep doing what you are doing. The only thing I would suggest is changing the oil since you synthetic at no earlier than 5000 miles.

 

Sounds like you are all over it: lubrication; cooling. Those are the keys.
Just doing scheduled maintenance to the other things like filters, plugs, air/exhaust sensors, etc support keeping your oil healthy.
I'm betting you make it!

 

What coolant do you run?

My experience, and that of techs I've known and trusted for decades, is that Toyota vehicles really do like Toyota red coolant the best. It's one of those cases where OEM is better, IMO.

 

This is the coolant I picked up for my truck. do you recommend a different one?

 

I'm currently at 372K on my 03 DC. Oil changes every 3K, fixing worn out items when they "wear out", timing belt every 100,000... really just replace things as they fail and keep up with scheduled maintenance and you should be fine.

 

I need to do mine, also. Keeping an eye on this antifreeze.

 

when did coolant rec maintenance change to 60k?
i thought it was every 2yrs / 30k miles

i don't have AT so not sure on schedule maintenance for that
what are you currently doing?

 

Your on a good routine, for your engine.
Keep an eye on all the rubber components and replace as they are pushing 20 years old, vacuum hoses in particular
Valve cover gaskets will probably be one of the 1st engine issues, so keep
an eye on them and back behind the engine area in particular.

Off subject of engine tho,

Keep the rear diff vent clean and working or you will loose an axle seal. =800-1000.00

Make sure you lower your spare tire and get up in the frame area by the rear shocks.
and keep those ares free from rust and or painted so no rust starts there.

Both these area are missed by a lot of people

 

recently i came across a carFax info for some random truck for sale on here that had an old maintenance report of axle leaking and brakes saturated with only approx 130k miles on it? i suppose that is what happened to it, seal blew, now it makes me fret for mine!

 

It’s a 15.00 part and 3 minutes to replace

 

I know I know!
its just becoming all too much to handle anymore and i was not prepared for all this and just got overwhelmed\
the vent diff breather is on the todo list

 

i can recall in the early 2000s when i was chit chatting at some holiday party, i don't recall what vehicle he was driving but was much older than me at the time,
he was telling me how detrimental the high RPMs are on engines over time when I was telling him how smoothly it handled near 4k RPM in 5th gear, after that I probably heeded his advice and never take the RPMs over 3k unless in 5th gear on the freeway.

but now that 20years have elapsed there maybe some on TW that push their engines past the 3k on a regular basis, can testify that no harm has been done and have the mega miles with no issue to prove it

 

Ha

Funny you say that I’m actually going to get the valve cover gasket replaced this week + get new spark plugs. Just ordered the rear diff vent after reading your post! Thanks for the info!

 

+1 on that. I run the same oil. Between an 80 mile daily commute for work and running the snot out of my truck offroad every week or two, I still push my oil changes to 8K.

I also have 217K on my truck too!

 

Maintenance is part of the equation. It is important to stay on top of things as it does help mitigate issues down the road, but there is another part of the equation which is a major factor on this, or any modern day engine these days.


Dumb luck. (Seriously)

 

I recommend the Toyota-brand red coolant (pre-diluted or concentrate if you can still find it). The aftermarket brands are "probably" OK, but I don't have experience with those.

 

Drive it like the Queen of England is riding shotgun with a carton of eggs in her lap.

 

The only way to do it is to drive it. Keep doing what you’ve been doing

 

imho, the best way to get her to 400k... DONT LEND HER OUT TO ANYONE!