Maintenance Intervals

[DJ's Toy]

I am just about to hit 60,000 miles on my 03 4runner SR5 V-8 and I am curious about what maintenance is recommended? I purchased it used, certified at a dealership, with about 20,000 miles on it almost three years ago.

The owners manual does not really recommend anything more than inspect everything and change the oil. It is used mainly as a daily driver with a little bit off-roading, nothing more than camping and hunting trips and my occasional trip down a two track. Also, I don't tow anything.

I have changed the oil every 5000 miles, replaced the front brake pads and flushed the power steering last year. I also did the fuel injection cleaning last year as well (BG 44K). Had a little carbon build up in the throttle body. No percievable change after this was done.

What does everyone recommended: tranny flush, radiator flush, change fluid in the diffs, timing belt,... I do plan on keeping it for sometime.

Also, I do have the sulfur smell. From what I have heard this is the catalytic converter? Will the dealer replace?

I know this has probably been discussed before, but I am fairly new here. So what the hell!

DJ

 

[toto]

You can access the Maintenance Guide through Toyota's Web site, here: http://smg.toyotapartsandservice.com/owners.php

Yes, the dealer should replace the catalytic converter (you may need to twist their arm) under the 80K mile emissions warranty.

 

[eeaglesfan1]

correct me if im wrong, but i was under the impression that the 4 runner came with lifetime tranny fluid? from everything i have read from toyota i have never seen tranny flush recomended.

 

[toto]

The maintenance guide only says to "replace transmission fluid" if you are towing with the truck. Otherwise, it will have you "inspect" it forever.

A "sealed transmission" really isn't sealed, but it doesn't have a dipstick. Just checking the fluid level is a real pain in the butt. It's not meant to have the fluid changed very often, and then it should be done by a dealer unless you're willing to go through the elaborate process on your own. A search will turn up more deatils on the subject; look for "ATF-WS", the name of the fluid in those trannys.