tip top Tacoma

I love my Tacoma... What are some ways to make sure it stays tip top? Frequent oil changes of course, but what else? Thanks in advance, I love getting help from the pros!

 

Krown or Fluid Film the frame

 

Yes, MinookaBlues, I get it undercoated every year! thanks

 

1) Keep up on fluids.
2) Don’t drive like an asshat.

 

Keep your engine bay clean. If you take your truck in for any work you will receive better service. It will get noticed by the technicians that you give a shit.

 

Are you talking about a Ziebart type undercoating?

 

Check your fluid levels every few weeks.(Oil,trans,brake,coolant, power steering, etc..) along visually checking undercarriage for oil leaks. Also check tire pressure and tread wear.

 

Keep her clean. In and out. Swap out all fluids at recommended intervals. Drive like you're in a Bentley. Park farther away in parking lots. Park in a garage. Treat it how you would expect your significant other to treat you!

 

^ This.

And I’d add that it’s important to always chase down any CELs as soon as they pop up. Other than that, just keep it clean inside and out, and it’ll still look good many years from now.

 

The folks here know way more than I do and are offering great advice. I see that you are in the North East.

First and foremost, find a good mechanic or a local place that you trust. Being in NY, this has been a huge challenge for me. I would start there and have them give your vehicle a once over. If you plan on becoming a regular customer they will be more than happy to make suggestions, etc.

I have posted this before so I apologize if I am annoying people. But I am not super mechanically inclined. I found this article very useful. I converted it to a check list and have nearly completed everything on it (or worked with a mechanic to do it). You may have more skill than I do so you may not need it but good to have as a reference:

https://jalopnik.com/heres-what-it-cost-to-make-a-cheap-toyota-tacoma-as-rel-1796712352

Finally, have your tires inspected, rotate them often and check the tire pressure. Be sure to also check the spare and use the jack so that in the event that you need it it is ready.

Finally, look into undercoating as others have suggested. I am trying to get mine done. I have a 2005 and it had a Toyota frame replacement. Unfortunately, there are no Krown locations near me so I am trying to work that out.

Hope that helps ... best of luck to you !

 

Here's what I would to if I wanted a vehicle to stay in great shape forever: Keep up with all recommended maintenance, keep it clean inside and out, don't drive on salty roads (it will get into places the undercoating can't protect), don't abuse it, and always run synthetic oils in the engine, gearboxes and differentials. For automatics, use OEM transmission fluid, not aftermarket "one fluid for five manufacturers" type of fluid. Also, don't let anyone else drive it unless you trust them completely.

 

Scheduled maintenance, no offroading, live in a warm/dry climate, don’t drive it like a maniac, and keep it in an enclosed garage.