Hello.

Since I picked up a Prius back in 2023 I have not been driving my 2020 T4R TRD Off Road as often as I used to. I do occasionally drive it and I think since 2023 I may have clocked about 1,000 miles at most and it currently clocks just at 40,000 miles.

In February 2024 I had it serviced when the oil was changed and the system was checked. Since my dealer doesn't do a 5-wheel rotation I had my tire center doing that since they have a record of what they did last time.

Back in May 2024 my dealer contacted me to bring it in for service. After much conversation I was told even with few miles driven the dealers recommend the car being serviced every 10 months. Based on that, it wasn't time in May and it isn't time in August. They are reaching out again in August to bring it in for a service.

What is the general best practice for a T4R that is not being used often?


Thanks a lot.

Farzad

When you do drive it make sure it gets thoroughly warmed up, a 10 mile drive minimum. You want the coolant to get up to temp so the stat opens and ideally the oil temp to reach 150 deg and your O2 sensors to be fully heated and functioning properly. Short trips around the block or to and from Home Depot will definitely shorten the life of your engine. Never just go out and start it up and run for a minute or two and then shut it off for another few days and then repeat, that's really the way to kill it! You should change your oil twice per year, regardless.

Thank you. I’ll keep those ideas in mind.

How often do you suggest I drive it for 10 miles to keep things alive and well?


So I should be changing the oil now since last time was February.

Farzad

Also remember that you're supposed to engage the 4WD system at least monthly, for something like 10 miles, to keep that system in order...

At least every two weeks, weekly if possible, it's been proven that when vehicles sit for extended periods they just deteriorate. Yes on oil change, it's been 6 months this month.

The owners manual says 10,000 miles or one year. I do that — one year because I don’t do 10,000 a year.

Thanks

Thanks

Got it, thanks.

Hooking the battery to a battery tender will extend battery life.

you're in a similar situation as me. my RX350 is driven by my wife and it's lucky if it sees 1,000 miles a year. in the last almost 4 years she's put maybe 5,000km on it (3,000 miles) total... it's a 2010 with only 110k miles total, most of that was put on by me before I got a second vehicle (4runner)

I have the oil changed once a year since she never reaches the mileage for an oil change. for the most part I still stick to the mileage milestones for the other fluids. wife drives it at least once a month on a 'long' trip of at least 10 minutes or more for an appointment or errand etc. on the highway. We usually just share the 4runner but we make a point to take the RX out at least once a month, usually 2x. never had any issues but it is a garage queen and not subject to the elements. I haven't changed the windshield wipers in almost 6 years, maybe more lol. never had an issue with battery. I think having the vehicle inside helps keep things like brake rotors clean etc.

I've been following the practices above for years now and have yet to have an issue with that RX, one of the best vehicles ever made

don't overthink it, it's a toyota you can't break them

"Don't Do THIS To Your Car! This Toyota 4Runner Almost Lost an Engine."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V02O8YGuc4U

Taking maintenance to the extreme from the car care nut.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Imafmy3Ycew&t=134s

In the past 5-6 years I average about 5k on my 2015 4Runner. I've been changing the oil either by 5k or 1 year. My last oil change I had sampling done and everything came back perfect. I do my own oil changes. I really don't like any Toyota dealer touching my vehicles anymore since they stripped out 2 of the bolts for my skid plates and said they didn't do it.