New vehicle tips for long life?

[Joseph]

OK. I know things like keep up with maintenance schedule and keep oil change documentation and use seat covers, but I am sure I am missing something.

I just recently realized that you have to "season" or allow brakes to break-in.

What other things do I need to keep in mind so my new vehicle maintains optimum value and what can I do to keep new vehicle running and looking good other than the obvious.

Thanks

Joe

 

[EDGE]

stop driving it:

 

[jwyshrek]

nah...that won't do it either...a vehicle sitting too long will eventually have other problems...

You would have to 'mummify' (sp???) your vehicle...drain all the fluids...and encase the whole in vaccum sealed plastic.

=P

 

[Koz]

Welcome,

One of the first things to do is get at least 2 or 3 coats of wax on ASAP. Extra on the front end. At 1000 miles get pure synthetic motor oil in it. I also changed the diffs and transfer case to synthetic.

Koz

 

[Jeff Kleb]

Try "warming up" the car for at least 30 seconds when you cold-start it in the morning. Also, drive like a grandma until the temperature gauge begins to move toward the center - particularly during the winter months. This will help with both the engine AND the transmission.

If you make any very short trips, drive a few extra blocks just to make sure your engine reaches full operating temperature and then maintain it for at least a few minutes.

If you do a lot of stop-and-go driving, take your 4Runner out on the open highway at least once or twice a month. Give it at least 10 miles of high-speed operation. Even with modern electronics, gasoline engines still need you to "blow the carbon" out of them every so often.


Change your oil much more frequently than the owner's guide wants you to. Even with 7500 miles being common for drain intervals in today's cars, I recommend doing it no less frequently than 3000 miles. Also, change the filter every time. Not replacing the oil filter is like taking a shower and putting on dirty underwear. Besides, a $5 oil filter is cheap insurance on a $30k vehicle!

When you do the second oil change, spend a few extra bucks and use Mobil-1 synthetic oil. Toyota calls for 5w-30, but you can use 10w-30 if you live somewhere warm. After all, synthetic oil of any weight will still perform better than will thinner dino juice/mineral oil.

Check your air filter often. Plan to replace if by 15,000 miles - even if you don't think that it looks all that dirty. Likewise, don't forget about your in-cabin air filter. Some need changed at 15k miles, while other drivers might go 30 or 40k before it needs replaced. I suppose it has to do with how much you use the A/C and whether or not you drive in dusty areas.

I know others here will come up with many more tips for you. One more thing I always have done is add a bottle of STP fuel injector cleaner about every 4,000 miles. Some will say not to do that, but I have gotten good service out of many vehicles with well over 100,000 miles on them; and I've never had to spend money on those fuel injector treatments that stealerships offer for about eighty bucks.
:awais:

 

[Joseph]

stop driving it:

EGDE-Thanks. I didn't think of that?!? :bash:

Anyway, a serious thanks to Koz and Jeff Kleb. I seem to forget the air filter too often. Seems like the synthetic oil has a loyal and large following. Othet than good initial wax job, what else for interior and exterior-I have heard that seat covers are bad but I don't know why.

Thanks,

Joe
PS Jwyshrek, Congrats you spelled Mummify correctly