Fluids For Cross Country Drive?

[MaddoxPics]

Planning on driving the 4Runner home for about a month at the end of November, and was curious if there was any kind of maintenance I should do?

I'm almost to 15,000 miles, and was hoping to have Toyota just use my 20K Toyota Care early to get a fresh oil change/rotation in, but is there anything else I should have them do?

My suspension is a bit squeaky from all of the off-roading, but I assume that's normal? Should I see if something needs lubricated? Or not worry about it considering I only hear it when off-roading?

Haven't had any issues or anything with the 4R so I assume all is well, but want to make sure I'm not forgetting something or should be doing something at the 15K mile range for such a long trip. Want to keep it healthy.

Thanks!

 

[nglayton]

Are you driving it more than 5K more? I wouldn't waste the oil change before the trip, just get it done afterwards. Or if you are dead set on it, pay for this one and take the 20k one when it's time. Either way you paying for an extra oil change you probably don't need.

Think of it this way...if you weren't getting it changed at 15k normally, why do it before hand? 5k extra miles around town are a lot harder on it than longer continuous mileage trips... besides that what if the oil change creates an issue that you don't currently have and because you are on a long trip you don't see it.

 

[Jhalko]

I agree with above, I would just wait and change the oil at 20k.

I’m surprised to hear you have squeaks, not sure what you’ve done to try to identify where it’s coming from and address if possible?

 

[MaddoxPics]

Are you driving it more than 5K more? I wouldn't waste the oil change before the trip, just get it done afterwards. Or if you are dead set on it, pay for this one and take the 20k one when it's time. Either way you paying for an extra oil change you probably don't need.

Think of it this way...if you weren't getting it changed at 15k normally, why do it before hand? 5k extra miles around town are a lot harder on it than longer continuous mileage trips... besides that what if the oil change creates an issue that you don't currently have and because you are on a long trip you don't see it.

I'll definitely go over 5K just from driving there and back. It'll be 6,000 miles total alone of travel. Then while I'm there I would guess I'd be putting on 1,000 roughly.

Granted now that I think about it, I could just change the oil while I'm there doing work on the 4Runner. Part of the reason I'm going home is to lift it and do a few other things, can just put a fresh batch in before I head back. That way it would be changed at around 19-20K.

Knew oil was better on highway than city/off-road, but wanted to make sure I wouldn't be hurting it. These things are pretty much indestructible and I'd like to keep it that way.

Thanks!

 

[MaddoxPics]

I agree with above, I would just wait and change the oil at 20k.

I’m surprised to hear you have squeaks, not sure what you’ve done to try to identify where it’s coming from and address if possible?

I haven't done much. It definitely comes from the front end area. I off-road it a lot and have been on a few real rocky trails. I'm going to bring it up to them when I get the tires rotated.

I don't hear it unless I'm off-roading or on a real rough road that hasn't been paved in awhile.

You can hear it in this video:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vZ3fWfc9_Ik" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[lukeskywalker]

I haven't done much. It definitely comes from the front end area. I off-road it a lot and have been on a few real rocky trails. I'm going to bring it up to them when I get the tires rotated.

I don't hear it unless I'm off-roading or on a real rough road that hasn't been paved in awhile.

You can hear it in this video:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vZ3fWfc9_Ik" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Are you sure it's your suspension? I had a squeek for a long time, esp after trail riding, couldn't figure it out, until I time + trial and error pointed to the hood.

The hinge on the hood rubs when it's not lubricated so off road trails with bumps exacerbates the situation.

WD40 works like a champ.

 

[MaddoxPics]

Are you sure it's your suspension? I had a squeek for a long time, esp after trail riding, couldn't figure it out, until I time + trial and error pointed to the hood.

The hinge on the hood rubs when it's not lubricated so off road trails with bumps exacerbates the situation.

WD40 works like a champ.

To be honest no, I haven't. I just assumed. I may have to give this a look later today. How did you go about testing it? Open the hood and shake it or what?

 

[e60ral]

just do your 15k mile service to have things inspected and tell them you have squeaks and to check lubrication

 

[lukeskywalker]

To be honest no, I haven't. I just assumed. I may have to give this a look later today. How did you go about testing it? Open the hood and shake it or what?

Shaking couldn't get it to replicate but drive over a bump did. If I keep driving the squeak happens. Then I opened the hood and reclosed, squeak went away until I hit a bump again. 99% sure rate. It might not be your solution but was definitely mine.

 

[MaddoxPics]

Shaking couldn't get it to replicate but drive over a bump did. If I keep driving the squeak happens. Then I opened the hood and reclosed, squeak went away until I hit a bump again. 99% sure rate. It might not be your solution but was definitely mine.

Nailed it. Opened the hood, closed it, drove in an area where it would make the noise and boom, gone. Can't believe it's that.

Of course I'm the paranoid one so I'll still mention something to Toyota just in case the noise didn't happen today for an odd reason, but I'm thinking you're right about the hood. Craziness.

 

[lukeskywalker]

Nailed it. Opened the hood, closed it, drove in an area where it would make the noise and boom, gone. Can't believe it's that.

Of course I'm the paranoid one so I'll still mention something to Toyota just in case the noise didn't happen today for an odd reason, but I'm thinking you're right about the hood. Craziness.

I take venmo or paypal.