Recent content by BRK

I have an '08 4-Runner, I check each tank fill up and run about 20 - 22 mpg. The computer shows 1.5 to 2 mpg optimistic. Last tank was 22+ calculated with computer showing 24+. At steady 75 - 80 mph on the freeway, actual mileage drops to about 19+. I live at 6000+ feet altitude so I don't...

My Gen 1V manual says use 5W-30 oil or 10W-30 in emergency and change back to 5W-30 as soon as possible. Maybe the new Gen V's call for 0W-30? One mechanic told me that you do want to pay attention to the manufacturer's recommendation for the thinner oil on newer engines, that with CAD...

I bought an '08 SR5 with 50,000 miles on it last October for $19,500 or $19,900, don't remember which. It came from a "high end" used car place and was cleaned up to look like a new car. Have put about 17,000 miles on it so far and it's been perfect in every respect, uses no oil whatsoever...

I got a second key for my newly acquired '08 4-Runner from a local hardware store for $70 including programming.

I have owned an '86 pickup (new), an '87 used, an '03 new Tacoma, and a '96 4-Runner used. I don't think any of them had cabin airfilters, but on every one of them have had at least three or four times, a mouse get onto the blower fan. You'll know when this happens, when you turn it on the...

I had an '86 Toyota pickup; the alternator needed new brushes at 186,000 miles. When I took it apart to put them in, the rest of the alternator looked clean and brand new, bearings were absolutely free and no wear whatsoever. It was a Nippondenso alternator; if that's what Toyota is still...

$20,000 for an '06 with 95,000 miles? I paid $19,900 for my '08 with 50,000 miles.

Sorry, I don't. Right now if I took pictures you couldn't tell much... it looks like an adobe brick on wheels with its mud cover. Mud has blossomed everwhere around where I live, if I took it to town to get washed, it would look just the same by the time I got home again. Won't do any good to...

I recently bought an '08 4-runner SR5. I have no idea why a manufacturer would reduce the ground clearance on a utility vehicle. Probably an idea from the same bozo that decided to remove the dipstick on the automatic transmission. I'm no expert, but bought the vehicle because I live several...

Got an excuse to go to Arizona? I saw my '08 4-Runner on the Phoenix Craig's list from a "high end used car lot" in Chandler. SR5, had 50k miles on it but looked clean as new, paid what they were asking, $19,900. So far, 7k on it and it acts like it thinks it's a new car... Salesman said...

I sympathize, my previous Tacomas were that way too. Now, if you want to really feel bad... pop the hood on a late V-6 4-Runner and note the really convenient filter location! (You don't have to remove any skid plates, either.) On my '08 4-Runner, I ran an aluminum tube from the collector...

Wow. Learn something new every day. Thanks. I thought the full time 4WD had a center differential and the multi-mode was like 4WD's of yesteryear without a center differential. Not used to these new fangled cars, been 30 years since I have had an automatic transmission. Been flying...

I'll describe my experience, maybe you can interpolate. I just bought an '08 with 4 wheel drive V-6, but not the center differential type. Had the front raised 2.5" and the rear 1.5" and removed the running boards. Tires are 16" Michelins nearing replacement time, about 57k miles on them...

Don't believe everything you read in your fancy new Haynes manual... for instance they say you have to remove the top half of the intake manifold to replace the spark plugs on the V-6... not so, according to the experts on these boards. That's a whole bunch of extra work for nothing. Haynes...

In 20 years of doing it wrong half the time, exactly how many transmissions has she trashed because of it?