Maintenance Items - At what mileage? and a few other questions

[psa5555]

Hey All,

I have a feeling I’ve got a few maintenance items with my T4R that I’ve neglected and would like to address ASAP. It’s a 2013 with 140 000 kms on it. I’ve regularly changed the oil as recommended, every 16k kms with Mobil 1. I’ve also kept up with the Prop Shaft greasing with correct greases at appropriate intervals. Changed the brakes and rotors as well.

In the near future, I would like to address some fluid changes and any other maintenance items. I just want to make sure I’ve covered it all. Here is what I’m looking at, but I can’t find any documentation for the recommendation KM’s to do the fluid changes.

Front Diff - Fluid Change
Rear Diff - Fluid Change
Transfer Case - Fluid Change
Transmission Fluid Change - Is there a filter here? Or just and R&R?
New Engine Air Filter -replaced once before
New Cabin Air Filter - replaced once before

In the near future, maybe:
Engine Coolant @160 000 kms - Do you really think this is necessary?
Spark Plugs @ 192 000 kms - Should I go Denso or the OEM Toyota Plugs listed in the guide?

Thoughts on:
I see a note for PCV Valve Replacement in Pauls Travel Guide.- Really necessary - Required?

Is there anything I’m missing here or that you would recommend?
Best place to get all these fluids in Canada, or am I only dealing with my dealership at full price? I can pick some up in the USA, when I am there from time to time or on Amazon.com. Amazon.ca seems to be expensive.

I’ve got quite a few questions here, but if you have any information you could provide, I would appreciate it. The amount of content and tutorials on here is incredible and so well organized!

Thanks,
Scott

 

[choochoo]

2013 Toyota 4Runner Owners Manual and Warranty - Toyota Owners

At the end.

In miles though.

 

[tm965]

i would change the dif & transfer case fluids immediately along with the engine and cabin air filters

 

[wsgoat]

I'll be traveling through New Brunswick (via trans-Canada) in early August....I'd be happy to meet up with you and drop off any Toyota supplies you need, just let me know!

 

[QwikKotaTx]

Only 2 air filter changes in 90k miles? We are on #5. Do you even spreadsheet, bro?

The intervals you posted are correct for the coolant and spark plugs.

 

[psa5555]

Not much for options....

Well the past couple of days have been interesting in reading about the different types of fluids recommended for T4R's. Based on what I've read, I am inclined to stay with OEM fluids. Stopped by the dealership today to price and pick up the filters.

First: No OEM fluids available from the dealership in Canada. Called three dealerships in my province and got the same story. They order only in 55 gal drums and use those for service. Was told to go to local parts store and by what was recommended off the shelf.... well that sucks.

Second: Priced the cost of service... $59.95 for Front Diff, $59.95 for Back Diff and $59.95 for Transfer Case. The cost of just the fluids alone, online from USA or CAN, is more than any of those prices. The transfer case fluid alone would be twice their service cost.

Last option: Get aftermarket fluids... I will stop by my biggest local shop on the way home to price fluids and see what they have. I have concerns, given some of the stories on here (some successful, some not) with aftermarket fluids. The only one I've see most have success with is the Royal Purple Sychromax for the Transfer Case. Otherwise, the Diff Fluid is hard to come by.. unless I get the Redline 75W85 (which here is $50/bottle x 5 bottles). Doesn't seem this option makes sense at all....

Honestly, I'm a little discouraged by the whole process with not really a reasonable option to pursue this myself or get access to proper fluids.

 

[QwikKotaTx]

Don't overthink the diff fluid. Everyone uses 75W-90 in lieu of the odd OEM spec weight. It seems like the main consensus on what should stick to OEM fluids is the coolant. A lot of people use Mobil 1 for oil changes and Mobil 1 for diff fluid.

 

[psa5555]

Don't overthink the diff fluid. Everyone uses 75W-90 in lieu of the odd OEM spec weight. It seems like the main consensus on what should stick to OEM fluids is the coolant. A lot of people use Mobil 1 for oil changes and Mobil 1 for diff fluid.

Thanks QwikKotaTX. Did the filters last night.. definitely overdue. I've used the Lucas 75W90 in my Chev with no issues. Will pick up a few bottles locally and do my diffs. Picked up the gaskets when I was at the dealer yesterday.

That leaves the Transfer Case. I've only seen Royal Purple Synchromax recommended. Is there any other TC gear oil that is 75W that you would consider?

I see that the only fluid I can actually purchase is the AFT WS fluid. I can get it on Amazon.ca for a fair price. I did not see a recommended mileage for a transmission fluid change. Can anyone provide some insight?

Thanks!

 

[Auntie Soshul]

Can anyone provide some insight?

Have you looked in the FAQ section of the Stickies? There’s a ton of information on what to do as far as maintenance, and how to do it.

 

[Crashnrondo]

That leaves the Transfer Case. I've only seen Royal Purple Synchromax recommended. Is there any other TC gear oil that is 75W that you would consider?

This is what I used and several other Toyota drivers have used per amazons reviews

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QPCL7ZE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[MossJenks]

I use Redline 75w-90 all around.

Before you overthink the center too much be aware that if you pay the dealership to do it you will NOT get the Toyota 75w stuff. You'll get whatever bulk 75w-90 they use for for everything.

If you look at the maintenance guide you will see two schedules, standard and "special operating conditions". I always go by the "special" schedule. Standard has you never replacing the transmission fluid, special its every 60k miles (~100k km). If I were you I'd get it done. I do all my maintenance myself, but I never F with an auto tranny. I get someone to do that for me - not the stealership though!

 

[jrandom]

That leaves the Transfer Case. I've only seen Royal Purple Synchromax recommended. Is there any other TC gear oil that is 75W that you would consider?

Transfer case I spent the money and got OEM 08885-81080 75W.

Coolant always OEM 00272-1LLAC, not the premix. Oil Amsoil 0W20 XL and Diffs Amsoil 75W90.

As mentioned there is a ton of info on this subject AND oil is like religion everyone has there opinion. That said, transfer case and coolant there is a lot of support for OEM product, everything else, not so much.

 

[psa5555]

Updates

I wanted to take a minute and thank everyone for the information shared with me a few weeks ago. It has been extremely helpful. I try to stay on top of the recommended service intervals on all my vehicles over the years. Not seeing recommended intervals in the Toyota docs, probably left me not thinking it was required. Most of my SUVs in the past were recommended around 160K, which had me looking for info now that my T4R is at 140K.

I've done the Front and Rear Diffs and changed the engine and cabin filters all around. I am still waiting to get my hands on some 75W Transfer Case fluid before I change it. I think I'll go with the Ravenol others have had success with. That may be a month or two, before I am in the USA in which case I'll grab it from Amazon.com... not available in Canada it seems. I'll also consider the Tranny at that time as well and read up on the process between now and then....

Thanks Again.

 

[JayceeP]

Isn’t this all in the maintenance schedule?

What part of New Brunswick are you from?

 

[JayceeP]

Canadian schedule here: Maintenance Schedule - Toyota Canada

Fluids are always checked at all maintenance services (not the same as oil change service) and the schedule does call for certain fluid replacements over the years.

I’m at 6 years and 114,000km on the road and the only thing I have done are oil changes, brakes, and tires. Unless you can do it yourself, just dealer service these things. Everyone says dealers are a ripoff but I disagree. The maintenance schedule is right there on the corporate website and not once in 6 years has any bs work been recommended to me.

 

[psa5555]

I'm in Fredericton. You? First Toyota and I will say the dealership seems ok... wasn't happy with a couple things early on which has soured me. Never been to happy with dealerships in the past and don't really trust them. Haven't been back since they failed my inspection on brakes, when they weren't close at 65k. Quoted my rotors and brakes all around for $700 in parts plus thw cost of labour. I replaced all with premium brakes and rotors at third of that cost myself. Barely worn now 80k later.

From my first truck at 18, I've done all my own service. General maintenance items are fairly easy and I enjoy the process. At this point, I've done basically everything short of a motor overhaul. Hence, how i went looking for fluid change intervals. There is no recommended kms for changing anything but the oil, unless extreme service. Seemed very odd to me... just like the odd fluid viscosity used, with no option to purchase it even at the dealer or elsewhere at a reasonable cost. Transfer case is next for me, followed by the tranny probably around 160kms... I might not do the tranny myself.. we will see. Everyone here has been so helpful as I try and figure these toyotas out... wife is looking at new highlander but cant decide to wait for the new 2020 or not... guess I'm learn a lot more....

All the best!

 

[WallyT4R]

So getting multiple answers around for the Royal Purple alternative to the factory liquid gold transfer case fluid. Is the RP alternative Synchromax or their 75W85 GL-4 gear oil? Thanks.

 

[psa5555]

I'm gonna go with this stuff as recommended by many here, as well as on the bottle is says compatible with the appropriate Toyota part #'s/ fluid. Many people have commented in the product review on Amazon as well.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QPCL7ZE/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3NWHGHN360KCD&psc=1

The Synchromax is listed below as their compatible product, but I don't like that the viscosity doesn't match. Some here have mentioned they have used it without issue. But I'm gonna with the Ravenol product.

http://www.royalpurple.com/wp-conte...le_Transmission_Lubricant_Cross_Reference.pdf

 

[WallyT4R]

I'm gonna go with this stuff as recommended by many here, as well as on the bottle is says compatible with the appropriate Toyota part #'s/ fluid. Many people have commented in the product review on Amazon as well.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QPCL7ZE/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3NWHGHN360KCD&psc=1

The Synchromax is listed below as their compatible product, but I don't like that the viscosity doesn't match. Some here have mentioned they have used it without issue. But I'm gonna with the Ravenol product.

http://www.royalpurple.com/wp-conte...le_Transmission_Lubricant_Cross_Reference.pdf

Thanks for the links! I saw a comparison between the Ravenol and the factory stuff and the ravenol is not even close to being the same except for viscosity. The Toyota stuff has a ridiculous amount of additives in it. I have no experience with Ravenol but do know that Royal Purple will stand behind their products and if they say it's compatible with the factory stuff, I lean more towards them.

I'm sure we are just wasting time here cuz both are probably ok since the dealers don't even care and run 74w90 but hey what else are we gonna do today?

 

[Narat_524]

I'm gonna go with this stuff as recommended by many here, as well as on the bottle is says compatible with the appropriate Toyota part #'s/ fluid. Many people have commented in the product review on Amazon as well.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QPCL7ZE/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3NWHGHN360KCD&psc=1

The Synchromax is listed below as their compatible product, but I don't like that the viscosity doesn't match. Some here have mentioned they have used it without issue. But I'm gonna with the Ravenol product.

http://www.royalpurple.com/wp-conte...le_Transmission_Lubricant_Cross_Reference.pdf

This whole Ravenol/Synchromax/Toyota liquid gold 75W question has been pored over on Bob-is-the-oil-guy website, with people sending samples for testing. Synchromax is the only one similarly compatible with the Toyota 75W. The Ravenol had similar viscosity, but was off on every other component.

As I understand it, the additive package is there to prevent corrosion to bushings within the transfer case. It is definitely among the automotive oddities by a manufacturer. In the pursuit of gas mileage and low-viscosity oil use, why oh why did they not go with ATF is beyond me.

I'm not an engineer, but I'll be putting Synchromax in when it's time for my T-case fluid change.

Narat