Just did a quick 30K maintenance!!

[TRD04RUNNER]

All I did on the 30K maintenance was lube my drive shift, change my ac filter w/ a home air filter, rotate the tires and check the psi, top off the fluid,spark plugs, change the oil and filter .

When I took out the plug I check the gap on them and 3 Denso plug was gap at .43 and the other 3 NGK plug was gap at .48 from the factory???? any of you V6 4R change your plug notice they were gap at the factory different on each side??

Anyway I just save a nice chunk of change doing the 30k myself instead of letting the stealer do it for $375! now with the extra $$$ I save I can get myself a nice Xmas gift like some 06 LEDs tail light for my 4R! It was a easy 1 hour and 15min job out in the cold and it only cost about $60 for the parts! after I install all 6 NGK plug gap at .43 I fill up the oil (5.5qt of Mobil 1) I took it out for a little ride and notice that it run and idol a lot smoother them B4 and has a little extra kick @ 1500 rpm I never notice B4! I hope my MPG get a little better too ! we'll see when i take her on a long run to work tomorrow!

 

[Zachary]

Are the 4Runners scheduled for spark plug tune-ups at 30,000 miles? I thought those plugs were for 100,000 miles. Do you have the V6 or V8? I have the V8 and I think that it has special plugs that should last 100k miles. Still, I'm surprised that the gap in your spark plugs were that much different, so it was probably a good choice to do it.

BTW, as I do with all my maintenance, I perform my maintenance well before it is scheduled, but I do it dependent upon when Toyo says to do it. If they say 100k for the plugs, then I may do it at 50 or 60. If they say 5k for conventional oil, then I put in the new Mobile 1 15k oil, but still change it at 7,500 or maybe even 5,000 miles.


Zachary

 

[sharp4runr]

Going by his signature, I think he has a V6 :

Congrats on the DIY job. Its always more satisfying doing it yourself as well as saving the cash for upgrades.

 

[trd2001]

My Tacoma had different spark plugs in one bank than the other. I could never figure out why. On the v-8, at leaset my 05 they are suppost to last 100k before changing. we will see how that works out.

 

[NCSCOTT]

Are the 4Runners scheduled for spark plug tune-ups at 30,000 miles? I thought those plugs were for 100,000 miles. Do you have the V6 or V8? I have the V8 and I think that it has special plugs that should last 100k miles. Still, I'm surprised that the gap in your spark plugs were that much different, so it was probably a good choice to do it.

BTW, as I do with all my maintenance, I perform my maintenance well before it is scheduled, but I do it dependent upon when Toyo says to do it. If they say 100k for the plugs, then I may do it at 50 or 60. If they say 5k for conventional oil, then I put in the new Mobile 1 15k oil, but still change it at 7,500 or maybe even 5,000 miles.


Zachary

Your maintenance habits are great but they sound like overkill. To answer your questions about the plugs. Yes they are required to be changed at 30k miles in the V-6 to maintain the Emissions warranty.

I also had 3 of each plugs in my 4runner but the gaps all checked good. I installed a set of the Denso plugs. I got no real gain in MPG. Maybe yours may be different.

Good luck

 

[EDGE]

Im due for my 30k, I was gonna change all the fluid, front and rear diff, transfer case, flush trans, grease driveshaft, new coolant and some other stuff or is that not suppost to be done

 

[NCSCOTT]

Im due for my 30k, I was gonna change all the fluid, front and rear diff, transfer case, flush trans, grease driveshaft, new coolant and some other stuff or is that not suppost to be done

I would pass on all the items you mentioned except the Driveshaft and maybe Diffs. I have a V-6 and have been unable to find 1 grease point on the driveshaft or anywhere else. Maybe the V-8 is different.

I would not change the Tranny fluid unless it is used to tow often. Maybe wait until 60k.

If you are going to change the diffs at least go to a Synthetic. The same goes for the transfer case too.

The Coolant should be 5 year or 150k miles. The service manual does not even list a replacement all the way out to 120k miles.

Don't let the Stealership talk you into the injector service or brake fluid flush. Waste of money for a vehicle with such low miles. Maybe have the brake fluid replaced at 90k.

Take a look at the maintenance passport that came with the vehicle it list all recomended maintenance.

 

[BROOKLYN]

all V-6 runners
every 3000 miles- oil change
every 15000 miles - oil change, replace air filter, pcv, and spark plugs, top off fliuds, rotate tires, clean and adjust brakes (this should be done every 7500miles) and chage cabin filter
every 30000miles change tranny fluid ( except 03-up runners)

all v-8

same applies except plugs are changed every 60000miles cause the plugs are platnium

 

[TRD04RUNNER]

all V-6 runners
every 3000 miles- oil change
every 15000 miles - oil change, replace air filter, pcv, and spark plugs, top off fliuds, rotate tires, clean and adjust brakes (this should be done every 7500miles) and chage cabin filter
every 30000miles change tranny fluid ( except 03-up runners)

all v-8

same applies except plugs are changed every 60000miles cause the plugs are platnium

where does it said that you have to change your plug ever 15k miles ?? I think 30k for newer car is a little early but 15k is a waste of money and time! and what do you adjust on the brake?? if their is any.:rolleye2:

 

[03RoadRunner]

Woah Woah Woah Zachary

Well...I have to disagree or have a different opinion about servicing your vehicle ahead of any Manf. recommendations...especially Toyota.

I didn't change my fuel filter till 90,000....it ran just fine before/after.

I didn't change my rear diff's until 100,000 miles...I spoke with the mechanic doing mine and he said it looked great and probably didn't need to change it.

I did my plugs and wires at 80,000...they were worn but the car ran just fine...before and after.

I did the tranny power flush at 88,000 miles...ran fine before and after. You want to be very careful and not change the Tranny fluid too soon. Believe it or not you can do more harm than good, especially if you think the transmission might be going bad (ie. shavings found in the pan, slipping gears, etc.) Don't ask me why but its true!

I think Toyota's service intervals are conservative...they want to cover their arses by scheduling maintenance well before there's a problem. Also, I think a huge part of the maintenance schedule depends on how you use your truck.

I believe if your just using it as a daily driver, lite off-road you could get away with what the manual says or go a little longer.

If your hardcore 4-wheeling it, towing boats and drive in dusty situations...then I would change fluids, etc more often than what the dealer/Toyota recommends.

Just my .02 and by the way...its a '98 w/110,000 miles on it.

Damn! My electric antennea just broke the other day and after removing it completely (just the aerial) the radio still picks up stations just fine.

Gotta love Toyotas!

Take care.
03RR

 

[Zachary]

I understand what you are saying that I may not need to do maintenance as early as I do, but I don't understand how it can do more harm than good. All fluids break down over time, so why not have fresher lubricants, etc.

My brother bought a brand new Saturn car (not SUV) some years ago. I think that the dealer says to flush the coolant at about 100k miles. Well, my brother did it at 70k, and it was a good thing that he did. Why? Well, there were particles in the coolant. It did not look like any shavings, but rather like some kind of tiny stones. In fact, the rubber piece to the thermostat was ripped to shreds and did not work. As a result, the fans kept on working ALL the time. The dealer has no idea of why that happened. However, we think that it is perhaps that when the Saturn was made, the manufacturer only used regular water, which as well all know contains minerals (i.e. stones). Perhaps his car developed a "kidney stone?" I don't know. Keep in mind that my brother uses his car under normal driving conditions on the street and highway. The point that I am trying to make is that when I see the fluids dirty (like oil or coolant), then I change it accordingly. In the meantime, my brother used distilled water when he mixed it with the coolant. That way, there are no minerals in the water. We will see what happens in the next 70k miles.

I also understand that viscosity, not color, is the primary factor in the performance of fluids. However, there is a relationship between color and viscosity.

I may do the maintenance at the recommended mileage as you suggest, but I certainly would not feel comfortable to go beyond those times, even though I do not do any towing or off-roading.

Zachary

 

[NCSCOTT]

all V-6 runners
every 3000 miles- oil change
every 15000 miles - oil change, replace air filter, pcv, and spark plugs, top off fliuds, rotate tires, clean and adjust brakes (this should be done every 7500miles) and chage cabin filter
every 30000miles change tranny fluid ( except 03-up runners)

all v-8

same applies except plugs are changed every 60000miles cause the plugs are platnium

You are Completely off the mark When it comes to a 4th gen. Do you own a Stealership or something?? Take a look at a 4th gen Maintenance Guide. Does anyone even know of a PCV Valve on a 4.0L V-6??? I can not speak for the V-8. But neither are listed in the Guides The plugs in the V-8 are Iridium not platinium. Oil change/tire rotation is every 5000 miles per the maintenance guide. Engine and Cabin Air filter is 30000 miles unless in dusty conditions.

I have the 2004 and 2005 scheduled Maintenance Guides since I own a 2004 4Runner and 2005 Camry. They both have a section for cars and Trucks/SUV.

I did find an interesting difference about spark plug replacement. The 2004 Guide list
"Replace Spark Plugs ( all models except Highlander and land cruiser) subnote 2"
Subnote 2 reads "Required under terms of the Emission Control Warranty".
I would assume that means V-6 and V-8s. This goes against many peoples opinion on the org.

The 2005 Guide List
"Replace Spark Plugs. Subnote 6"
Subnote 6 list any vehicle with 1GR-FE (V-6)
nothing is mentioned to include the V-8 that year.

There is never any mention of a "Brake adjustment" The only thing I know of for disc brakes is to grease the slides. Which I have never done on my 2004 and they are wearing just fine.

Topping off the brake fluid is a waste of time and fluid. There should be enough range in the Max to Min Fluid level to compensate for normal brake pad wear. If you top it off you just have to figure out how to get it out when you change the pads and compress the calipers. If you are losing or using water you have a problem. Same goes for power steering fluid.

I did make a mistake in my previous post. The Manual recommends the first coolant change at 100000 miles and every 50000 there after.

 

[BROOKLYN]

You are Completely off the mark When it comes to a 4th gen. Do you own a Stealership or something?? Take a look at a 4th gen Maintenance Guide. Does anyone even know of a PCV Valve on a 4.0L V-6??? I can not speak for the V-8. But neither are listed in the Guides The plugs in the V-8 are Iridium not platinium. Oil change/tire rotation is every 5000 miles per the maintenance guide. Engine and Cabin Air filter is 30000 miles unless in dusty conditions.

I have the 2004 and 2005 scheduled Maintenance Guides since I own a 2004 4Runner and 2005 Camry. They both have a section for cars and Trucks/SUV.

I did find an interesting difference about spark plug replacement. The 2004 Guide list
"Replace Spark Plugs ( all models except Highlander and land cruiser) subnote 2"
Subnote 2 reads "Required under terms of the Emission Control Warranty".
I would assume that means V-6 and V-8s. This goes against many peoples opinion on the org.

The 2005 Guide List
"Replace Spark Plugs. Subnote 6"
Subnote 6 list any vehicle with 1GR-FE (V-6)
nothing is mentioned to include the V-8 that year.

There is never any mention of a "Brake adjustment" The only thing I know of for disc brakes is to grease the slides. Which I have never done on my 2004 and they are wearing just fine.

Topping off the brake fluid is a waste of time and fluid. There should be enough range in the Max to Min Fluid level to compensate for normal brake pad wear. If you top it off you just have to figure out how to get it out when you change the pads and compress the calipers. If you are losing or using water you have a problem. Same goes for power steering fluid.

I did make a mistake in my previous post. The Manual recommends the first coolant change at 100000 miles and every 50000 there after.

i use this has a guide line i thought i might share it
im not putting a gun to your head saying to this, to each his own
commen sense tells you if the cabin filter is clean dont change it
if you feel there is no need to check the brakes dont, crash and die for all that i care
i do this rountinely every 15000miles because im better safe than sorry and plus i enjoy it you may feel different its okay but dont tell me im wrong
and im not a stealership

 

[Koz]

I think some people better take a good look at the owner's manual recommendations for scheduled maintenance, especially for the V8s. If you go by what some people think you will be wasting a LOT of money and time. Also some may want look at all the posts in the Maintenance section of this forum.

Koz

 

[Boston_Runner]

The maintenance recommandations on the owner's manual are pretty conservative already, to go beyond that is just crazy.

 

[NCSCOTT]

i use this has a guide line i thought i might share it
im not putting a gun to your head saying to this, to each his own
commen sense tells you if the cabin filter is clean dont change it
if you feel there is no need to check the brakes dont, crash and die for all that i care
i do this rountinely every 15000miles because im better safe than sorry and plus i enjoy it you may feel different its okay but dont tell me im wrong
and im not a stealership

I never said Don't check your brakes. I said, "I know of no adjustment for Disc Brakes besides greasing the slides." If you know of something by all means enlighten us.

I check them every time I rotate the tires. I visually inspect them. No different than the stealership would do and charge me too much money. They would not disassemble the brakes to inspect them unless they were asked to if you thought you had a problem. Then you could not be sure they did it anyway. I visually check the Brake fluid as long as it is somewhere between the min and max lines there is no need to add any. You are not going to gain anymore breaking power by adding an ounce of fluid. Just MY opinion others may feel differently.

Your post was made in such a manner that implied your were stating facts. Those maintenance intervals are similar to the timeframes a dealership service department might suggest in order to get the uneducated in there more often to make more money. Service Departments love an ignorant vehicle owner. Ignorant = Not Knowing.

If you enjoy it. Go ahead knock yourself out. I will just sit back and save my money and time.

 

[405HP_Z06]

......Does anyone even know of a PCV Valve on a 4.0L V-6??? I can not speak for the V-8. But neither are listed in the Guides ....

The PCV valve is on the drivers side valve cover in the back. It's a screw in valve and does need to be changed. I don't know what the recommended service interval is for this part, but at ~24,000 miles it was causing a noticeable negative effect in oil analysis from being dirty/stuck.

Happy motoring!