How to service an 04 with only 20,000 miles

[Woody17]

Hi all,

I just picked up an 04 SR5 V6 4x4...only 20k miles and am new to the Toyota family of cars. I have looked at the "scheduled maintenance guidelines" by Toyota...but I'm thinking that because this truck has so little miles I may need to do some other special services.

I just replaced the oil yesterday because I didn't know when the last time it was done...but when I took it out it looked pretty clean.

I know the woman was very meticulous about her car...always washing/waxing/armor-alling the tires...so I know she kept up to date with the scheduled maintenance. But what do you think I should look into for this truck?

Thanks for your help
Woody

 

[MAC4Runner]

Click Me

This should do the trick -

 

[toto]

Other than the standard maintenance schedule, I'd consider changing the fluids in the differentials, and since the 04 V6 doesn't have a "sealed" trans (it still has a trans dipstick), I'd change the trans fluid as well. The V6 engine has 30,000 mile spark plugs, so I'd change those too. Check the engine air filter and cabin air filter (behind the glovebox) and replace if necessary.

 

[Woody17]

Other than the standard maintenance schedule, I'd consider changing the fluids in the differentials, and since the 04 V6 doesn't have a "sealed" trans (it still has a trans dipstick), I'd change the trans fluid as well. The V6 engine has 30,000 mile spark plugs, so I'd change those too. Check the engine air filter and cabin air filter (behind the glovebox) and replace if necessary.

thanks toto. i'm going to probably be putting in an aux. transmission cooler because i do some beach driving...so i'll be switching that fluid.

and thanks mac! i've seen that already tho. i was asking because my 4runner has such low miles on it.

 

[EH007]

20K miles? I wouldn't do anything at all, except maybe change the oil, but you've already got that covered. The 4th gen 4Runner doesn't require any real maintenance until you hit the 30K mile mark. Just drive it for 10K miles and then change the plugs, engine air filter, etc...

 

[Colemanfu]

Interesting find. 20K is low. I am still a bit under 50.

 

[Woody17]

i bought it with 19,600, its now at about 20,600 in about 2 weeks!

Anyhow, thanks all for your input. I wasn't sure if maybe I should be a little extra cautious with some of this stuff because of its age. When I was younger, I bought a Nissan maxima that was 10 years old with 40k miles on it. I brought it to my mechanic, he said these timing belts and water pumps normally go at 60k miles, you should do it now because of its age (i'm assuming due to lack of use).

another good example would be if the car is really only locally driven...my exhaust pipe would probably be rotted and the tranny fluid should be switched (which is what i'm assuming the case is...minus the exhaust pipe). i'm gonna put the aux. tranny cooler on it, use it for the summer, then do my entire 30k mile inspection in aug or sept...no matter what the mileage is.

 

[riverider]

I agree with member H007 you changed the oil that should take care of that. Maybe check the Antifreeze and tires. I sure would not waste money changing the Diff. fluids.