Should I Service Anything Specific? (High Mileage Purchase)
 

Hello all,

Pretty much just asking what the title says. I recently just got a 2006 4Runner with 192k miles (4.0L V6). I've been doing a bit of research on what to expect from such a high mileage vehicle but I was hoping for more opinions from others that actually own a high mileage 4Runner.

There has not been any reported accidents on the vehicle or anything worrisome. The service records that I know about just by going off of the Carfax are as follows:
124,602 miles - Front axle replaced/repaired, body electrical wiring repaired
154,754 miles - Alternator replaced, battery replaced
189,465 miles - Antifreeze/coolant flushed/changed
All of the other records that show are basic maintenance such as regular oil changes, brake pads, alignments, etc.

I've been driving it for a few days now quite a lot, haven't noticed any leaks anywhere and oil levels are remaining good. Runs smoothly and shifts smoothly.

Friend of mine who is a major fan of Toyota is trying to tell me to switch it to synthetic oil, is this necessary?? He also recommended filling it up with 91 octane instead of 87, that part I've heard several people mention because it apparently recommends to use 91 in the owners manual. Anyway, just hoping for a few opinions on what to do and what to expect with a 4Runner close to 200k.

Thanks for your time!

Where's the high mileage in this thread?

I made a higher mileage purchase last June with an 08 with 169,000.

My personal opinion is change all the fluids no matter what has been done already. You really dont know what the vehicle has been through and changing them cant hurt. At least you know that they are all done and when they were done and with what. Check everything ( suspension, brakes etc) again you dont know what its been through and peace of mind is always good.

I have been running 87 octane since i got it and no issues. I have not seen any 4unner 4.0 recommend 91.

Synthetic cant hurt. If you are in the snow belt its better in the winter.

it is not necessary to run synthetic oil, main benefit will be longer oil change intervals & easier starting/better lubrication in cold temps... but todays standard oils are very good & synthetic is not needed. however at the prices of 5qt jugs its almost as cheap as standard oils. walmart has valvoline 5qt synthetic jugs for $21.

you dont need to run 91 octane, 87/89 is perfectly fine, but you will notice a little less MPG on the lower octane, if towing or abusing it the 91 is a benefit & will let the engine make more hp. but modern engines have knock sensors & will simply retard the timing to avoid any detonation or damage. i notice 3-4 tenths loss on the mileage meter running 87 compared to 91. & if you can get non ethanol in your area it gets better MPG than ethanol blends.

read your owners manual, toyota definitely recommmends premium 91 fuel for 4th gen 4runners. at least for 2006-2009 v6 & v8.

I purchased a similar 2005 with 185,000 two years ago. I would replace all the fluids in gearboxes, trans, engine. Maybe hold off on coolant if it was just done. Probably a set of plugs is in order.

For me an engine oil analysis from Blackstone is worth the $28 for peace of mind (however, I'd do it at 2nd oil change). Unfortunately, mine led me to conclude that I had a head gasket leak, but that is another story.

Get it all ship shape and then just enjoy it.

Follow these instructions and change the trans fluid for some brand new OE Toyota WS ATF. It will drive and shift much smoother if you do. Also change the oil in the diffs and transfer case.

Power Steering Fluid is important as well. When I bought mine at 250k, the power steering fluid was very dirty and it was making quite a bit of noise. When I went to do a flush, the whole pump just broke then and there and had to buy a new one for 500. Just good to keep it clean I guess. You wouldn't want to have to replace a whole steering rack.

Check wheels for play (wheel bearings), CV boots, exercise your transfer case actuator every once in a while (shift into 4LO), grease up those u-joints (there are 6 grease nipples).

Cheers! Enjoy the 4R.

Or Non-OE WS ATF.

I really appreciate all of the advice, thank you guys!

I dont know what manual you are reading but i checked both my 06 and 08 and they both recommend 87 octane and higher octane can be used.

This is right off the toyota website:

OCTANE RATING
Select Octane Rating 87 (Research
Octane Number 91) or higher.
Use of unleaded gasoline with an Octane
Rating lower than 87 may result in engine
knocking. Persistent knocking can lead to
engine damage.

As was this:

Does My Toyota Require Premium Gas?
Currently, there aren’t any Toyota models that require hi-octane fuel. The minimum octane rating your vehicle requires is 87 octane, which is standard pump gas or regular fuel. While it’s best to use top-tier fuel from major fuel station chains, you don’t need to use premium gas for your engine to run well.

What If I Use Premium Fuel?
There’s no need to use premium fuel in your Toyota. However, if you choose to do so, there aren’t any negative reactions that will occur. Your engine will operate properly using premium fuel without any concern.

Will I See Improvement in Fuel Mileage?
There’s very little chance that you’ll notice a difference in fuel mileage. If you do notice a difference, it will be negligible at best. Your Toyota is designed to operate at peak efficiency on regular gas, which is 87 octane.

I’ve found that the majority of my rubber stuff was borderline needing replaced. Bushings for suspension components were mostly worn out. Suspension had seen much better days. Lots of nose dive under heavy braking.

Speaking of brakes, check for seized calipers, which is very common and will wreck your MPG. My only symptoms where wobbly steering wheel when braking and bad MPG.

I just replaced u-joints in mine at 179k. Got rid of clunks and thuds when switching from reverse to drive that was like “skipping a beat” and a similar experience when going from coasting to throttle input.

Power steering fluid is good to check. Mine looked full, but it was a stained reservoir that only LOOKED full.

Wouldn’t be bad to do the sea foam trifecta just before doing spark plugs if that gets on your list.

my mistake, i remember seeing the 91 in the manual, but confused the 2 numbers, 91 is the RON which is not used in the US.

i agree 87 is fine to use, but the mpg gauge in my 08 v6 4runner shows a slight increase in mpg when i fill from empty with premium 91 vs 87 & definitely an increase using non ethanol fuel.

Mine says:

OCTANE RATING
Select Octane Rating 87 (Research Octane Number 91) or higher. For improved vehicle performance, use premium unleaded gasoline with an Octane Rating of 91 (Research Octane Number 96) or higher.
Use of unleaded gasoline with an octane rating or research octane number lower than stated above will cause persistent heavy knocking. If it is severe, this will lead to engine damage.

what year manual is that from? i remember reading toyota saying premium is best, but not required.

that goes along with what i mentioned earlier that if towing or other heavy loads on the engine, premium 91 is a benefit. & if it gives better performance, that equates to better MPG for normal driving. how much is debatable & will vary for every person/car... but my mpg gauge notices a difference.

2006.

I doubt 87 effects the longevity of any components, but 91+ does actually produce a bit more power (particularly in the engines with a 10:1 compression ratio) since the ECM will learn to add some timing.