Truck Maintenance

Quick Question:
I am new to owning a Tacoma and I keep reading about people changing out there “differential oil” - I own a RWD Tacoma and I am wondering if this is something I need to get done? Also, how often do I need to go pay for them to do a full transmission oil change? I am sitting at 95K miles and it doesn’t have documentation of ever having a transmission oil change. Help answering anybody?

 

Did you receive an owners manual with your purchase Zach?

If not, we can point you to a PDF version that you'd not want to print, but could save for reference.

Also, you have a 3rd gen. That forum is rich with info. Here's a starter for you.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-diy-maintenance-quick-reference.406712/

 

Anything with gears that mesh and shafts that rotate need the lubricating fluid changed. Differentials are changed based both on time and use. My 4WD front-differential may not need changing at 30k because I do not heavily off-road. Others change it every 15k because they heavily use both differentials. Transmissions get heavier use in towing, so some change more often than on mall-crawlers.

That is the "why". The schedule given to you is a "general when". Ask back if you have specific questions the schedule does not specifically address.

 

Fluid change is an inexpensive maintenance item … since u don’t know the history of the vehicle it doesn’t hurt to go ahead and change fluids . Cheaper than replacing a transmission or differential. The differentials are fairly easy to do yourself . The transmission is a little bit more involved since it requires a scanner to check temperature to get correct fluid amount since there is no dipstick .

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Imafmy3Ycew&t=219s