Winter Fluid Recommendation

I have an 07 Tacoma TRD 2wd that I just bought with 249,00 miles. I bought in AZ and brought it out to Wyoming. Does anyone have any recommendations for winterizing the motor. It will be in the sub zeros for many months. I was thinking to put a little heavier oil in it but also looking for suggestions.

Thanks

 

Lighter oil will fair better in the cold, ideally synthetic. Check the coolant with a hydrometer. Install some kind of block heater.

 

Welcome Michael
Maybe some preventative maintenance on the frame. Fluid Film/WoolWax

 

I had to work in Gillette one winter, it was so freaking cold with the wind chill, the antelope would take refuge between the house's. The ole saying in Wyoming is it blows on one end and sucks on the other.
It’s a beautiful state though, loved Wyoming when I wasn’t working. Get a block heater is my advise, have a new battery, and always have insulated carhartts coveralls in your vehicle in winter, It just may save your life.

 

Unless you know when the fluids were last changed I would start a systematic change of all fluids.

 

I doubt you will need a block heater...
5W30 will be fine
Just change out the Anitfreeze to a higher concentration.

2WD GET A SET OF QUALITY SNOW TIRES

 

OEM things are fine. Just some rust protection and make sure your coolant isn't just plain water and you're fine (50/50 preferably). No need to change to a different oil or any other fluids. These things are designed to run in all different conditions. You'd only need a block heater if you had a diesel, and even GM's baby Duramax is designed to start in -30°F without a heater.

I have a co-worker from FL who was told the same stuff about fluids and things when moving up to Michigan. Just regular maintenance and you should be good.

 

You may not NEED a block heater, but they do help prevent premature wear. A warm engine is easier to turn over than a cold engine and cold oil may or may not flow depending on multiple factors I installed a pan and a block heater on my taco when I worked in North Dakota. Could bring the external temp of the block up to 30 degrees Fahrenheit on a -10 day. Find a piece of cardboard to put in front of your radiator too and keep it handy. Just don’t forget that it’s there when it starts to heat back up.

 

Yes. I've started many vehicles in -24°F temps and colder without issue, but you definitely want to wait until it has some heat in it before you do anything if possible, or at the very least take it easy. In the old days of carbs, your vehicle just wouldn't start. Modern engines will start, but most wear comes from when the engine is cold. In general, no, you don't need a block heater, but it isn't going to hurt either.

 

I'd flush the coolant and have it tested.

The rest is all fine, just run 5W30 or if its stupid cold 0W20. WY doesn't look thaaaaaat cold. Just run 5W30 as the manual states.

 

Where in Wyoming? It’s a big ass state that varies quite a bit

 

Definitely did that already with predrilled holes for the spikes

 

Star Valley area south of Jackson Hole.

 

This for washer fluid.

 

Thank you all. I plan on doing the oil change to synthetic this week and will stick with the 5/30. Also will take the suggestion of flushing radiator and 50/50 refill. Loving my Taco I havnt had a Toyota since the 90s I built an 84' SR5. Glad to be back in the saddle. Cant wait to have my boy Brian at Lil Bs, in Colorado hook me up with a new Bumper/skid plate. Next spring will be fun.

 

I do have a little valve tap and the P2014 code about the cam solenoid so I am looking into that as well. Otherwise this truck runs great already put over 3k miles on it in the 6 weeks I have had it. Got chased out of Yellowstone yesterday by a fire near old faithful. Sat in 6 hours of traffic on a 45 mile stretch no overheating with A/C on. No oil leaks incredible for the miles on it. Cant say as much for my Harley

 

Heated Seats, maybe heated steering wheel

Might not need block and battery heaters, but they are nice safety measures to have

 

Considering that the majority of engine wear occurs on startup, why would you not plug your vehicle in?

 

Not having access, setup, cost vs benefit, etc. Like I said, it wouldn't hurt; but, it won't make a big enough difference in my opinion if you don't have something like a big diesel that just plain won't fire. The primary purpose of a block heater is to ensure the oil flows easier.

 

https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Heaters/Kats-Heaters/KH11481.html?feed=npn&gclid=CjwKCAjwkdL6BRAREiwA-kiczFXbYpCk2EblE1gpGl9wVQ73yEV250vgwWGkI93D_VtxqmERD6mnQRoC5aMQAvD_BwE

Literally took a screwdriver a hammer and 45 min to install including filling the fluid back up. Also costs less than your wal mart seat covers. Oil not flowing on startup isn’t exactly a cheap issue. How expensive? Depends on how long you keep your vehicle and the conditions it’s subjected to, but for sub $50 including the fluid to refill, it’s a cheap insurance policy. Also, fun fact, at -64, a tacoma with a block heater barely wants to start.