Tacoma Maintenance Schedule

Ok, so I'm a maintenance nerd. I try to do all the maintenance by the book. I do all the maintenance myself. Mine is a 2012 4WD long bed 4 door.
I've just completed my 60,000 mile service. I just replaced the front/rear differential, and transfer case oil change, and replaced the spark plugs.
This is the second time. The first time was required at 30,000 miles.
Both times the oil I drained looked as good as the new oil I put in. Same with the plugs. The gap hadn't even changed.
In my book, a tranny fluid change is also required at 60,000 miles. That procedure looked like more than I wanted to do at home, so I took it to the dealer. They gave me info that conflicted with the owners manual. They told me it wasn't required until 100,000 miles and would cost me $550.
Now I'm wondering if any of this maintenance was really necessary.
Does anyone else think that these requirements are really just CYA for Toyota?

 

The transmission thing I've heard mixed messages on. I've heard 60k, 100k and "never".

60k is aggressive for me, especially given my driving style (mostly DD, little to no towing...) Maybe I'll do 100k.

 

I do not pay dealerships to perform work on my vehicles.

I also do not believe a dealership could tell me the "proper" interval for transmission service without knowing anything about the way I use the vehicle.

It's relatively cheap to perform the maintenance at home(if you're capable)compared to the "potential" consequences caused by not performing them.

 

The older maintenace schedule for the tranny use to be 100k miles. Now its 60k in the guide. I plan to do mine at 60k also. All the other maintenance is as scheduled. The reason the spark plugs are at 30k is for emissions. That what it states in the manual. They would probably last closer to 45-60k for normal use.

 

Unless you have $$ 2 burn I can't C paying $550 for oil change - I know it's diff, T and T case but basically skill wise it's a oil change -$550 rediculous.

 

My transmission schedule is actually at 100k. I wonder if that's because it's 2wd..

Edit: I don't see mine listed at all other than in the "inspect" category

 

Just went out and got my guide. In my guide it's under Schedule A > 60k miles >Additional Maintenance > Towing, Carrier, Heavier Loads - Replace Trans Fluid, Front Diff (4wd), Rear Diff, Transfer Case (4wd), Tighten Nuts & Bolts on Chassis


Edit, now that I'm looking at it, it says to change tranny at 30k, 60k, and 90k miles. All under additional maintenance.

 

I did do the other gear boxes myself, but the cost quoted was for the tranny alone. I guess the tranny fluid change is more than just the old pan and filter thing. They want to flush the tranny and change the filter. It's quite involved. I guess you need a pump and reservoir full of tranny fluid to do it right.

 

Ahhh gotcha. Ok, that makes sense for that type of driving. I'm sure mine says the same, I was just looking at an online shorter version

 

Don't pay the dealer for anything. They'll ALWAYS rip you off.

 

Just stopped by the dealer for the transmission flush and they quoted my $350, the service guy also said they have monthly coupons (10-40% off).

Going on 71k, neglected my fluid changes.

 

Holy crap getting the tranny flushed at the dealership is expensive. I'd guess they pay around $6 per quart since they sell it for around $8 per quart. If the flush uses 16 quarts that's ~$100 in fluid. Even if it takes an hour of labor they're making some easy money.

Doing a DIY tranny drain and fill is a bit of a pain, since the level check procedure is tedious, but I plan to do this every 15k miles. The first time it took me about an hour.

 

OK everyone needs to state what transmission they have before talking about the schedule.

For the 2015 at least which might assume is their "most up to date" recommendation we have:

MT change every 30k if towing

AT change every 60k if towing

If not towing only inspect for leakage and never change. I'm guessing they assume it will get changed if it ever starts to have problems?

 

I have heard that before, and that is what is confusing. I guess if you don't tow (which I don't) I am better off not changing it at all? Might cause more problems if I do? I fall under the AT/60k user btw.

Unless it is obvious that I need it I guess.

 

So having done a lot of Googling on this topic recently here is what I've found:

• Blackstone analysis reports ranging from 45K miles to 100K miles from Tacoma and other Toyota transmissions using WS where the factory ATF fill was always just fine still. The factory fill usually shows some high metals because they are still there from break-in.
• People doing 45 to 60K changes on Tacomas are seeing fluid they feel they could have kept running for a long time.
  
• Seemingly knowledgeable claims that modern ATF can run for very long intervals (100K+) if the transmission temperature remains low. This is probably why it does not appear anywhere on the Tacoma recommended service for "normal" conditions.
  
• Similarly the fastest thing to break down ATF is oxidation that happens at higher temps which is likely why for towing the service interval is 60K instead of "forever".
• Break-in in the first 5-10K elevates the metals in an analysis but this is harmless.
• Break-in can produce some insolubles but there is a filter that traps all that.
• Not specific to the Tacoma but there seems to be a correlation between doing a change and flush on a high mileage transmission and some failure shortly thereafter. This topic comes up multiple places and the assumption is new fluid way loosen varnishes or other insoluble films that then clog important parts. There seems to be three schools of thought to this; 1 don't change something that is working; 2 don't flush but instead do drain and replace which effectively slowly changes the ATF as that only exchanges about one third at a time; 3 change much more frequently from the start of service so no deposits appear to be loosened later.

I could draw no firm conclusions from all of that other than towing and a high transmission temperature definitely means do more frequent service. Lots of skepticism about 150K or "lifetime" intervals. General comfort with 60K to 100K intervals in "normal" service use.

Personally I think I'll send a sample to Blackstone at 60k and decide what to do then. That's probably 10 years off for me right now as my truck is very low mileage.

 

Good info man, thank you

 

Every 15,000 miles? Why?

 

Cheap insurance for peace of mind. It costs me about $40 and an hour of my time once every two years. No other reason. I've owned Hondas in the past and the tranny is their weak link.

 

Does toyota keep maintenance records on file? Or at least would the Toyota shop that did work on this truck for previous owner have records. Trans, spark plugs ect.

 

I believe any work done at a Toyota dealership would be visible on the Toyota Owners web site: https://ssl.toyota.com/owners/
You may need to register...have your VIN # handy.