You are here: Forums Pickups Toyota Tacoma Toyota Tacoma Care and Maintenance

Toyota Tacoma Care and Maintenance

184 messages,  Last post on Jun 02, 2009 at 11:32 AM

You are in the Toyota Tacoma Forum. Your Host is kcram

What is this discussion about? Toyota Tacoma, Truck

Messages Page 6 of 19 1 ... 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ... 19 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

#48 of 184 30k mile check recommendation for 2k1 Tacoma by paul_p Jan 29, 2004 (5:04 pm)
I've done my own maintenance on my 1993 Toyota Pickup and at 189,000 miles can't say that its been bad for the vehicle. I stopped bringing it to the dealer 4 years ago when they charged me $65.00 to change my manual transmission fluid - about $5.00 worth of oil. A regular oil change at the same dealer uses about the same amount (4.5 qts) of oil and was only $19.99 which should cost even more because they have to install a new oil filter too. What's up with that? Rip Off.   Now I change all the fluids myself. The peace of mind I get knowing I'm not getting ripped off is well worth my time and getting a few cuts and scrapes on my hands (none if I'm real careful).   I also had an independent mechanic try to tell me my transmission was gone (at 177,000 miles) when all that was wrong was a shifter linkage bushing. Thank goodness for a really sharp friend & Toyota parts dude and the Internet, that's how I figured out and fixed the problem with a $9.00 part. So I try to do almost everything myself, except for starter and fuel filter replacement - a bear on this model truck.   Unfortunately the independent shop had installed a new clutch in an effort to diagnose before I stopped them, but with 90,000 miles on the old clutch I figured it was not really a rip off I guess. But I'll bet the old clutch would have lasted much longer.   Sure, by now the '93 truck is out of style but it will have 200,000 miles on it by this summer, and Gosh is it cheap to run!    - P. Replies to this message: bayvilla (Mar 31, 2005 7:22 am) paul_p (May 09, 2005 8:12 pm)
#49 of 184 74 Hilux by paul_p Jan 29, 2004 (5:27 pm)
Sounds like something electrical happened during the jump. At first I thought it might be an electric choke issue, but if the CHG light stays on when you give it the gas, it's probably electrical.   I had that happen once on a 1966 Plymouth Belvedere, I burned out a fusible link and the alternator gauge when I replaced a valve cover (shorted the wires together when I bolted the cover on). That problem took 4 months for me to find, and caused the lights to be dim, battery not to charge, and many calls for towing in the cold Northeast.   Did the cables reverse by accident, even for a brief moment? You might also want to check your alternator and/or voltage regulator to see if anything's burned out there. Does anyone know if parts stores will test alternators for free or do they charge (no pun intended)?    - P.
#50 of 184 2004 Tundra DC break-in by touc Jan 30, 2004 (12:44 pm)
I have not even burned my first tank of gas yet, and I am already thinking about my first oil change. How soon should I do it (for the loose, break in particles, etc.)? And, when I do it, should I go sythetic blend, or totally sythetic yet? Or, not do sythetic at all? Any guidelines to follow here? Thanks.
#52 of 184 Headlight adjustments by mikentexas Feb 08, 2004 (7:19 pm)
I have a 2002 Tacoma. How do I adjust the headlights? The dealer tells me he's done it right, but I think the lights shine too high. Thanks in advance. Replies to this message: bbrashier (Aug 27, 2005 5:52 am)
#53 of 184 Tundra Spark Plugs by ageyling Mar 02, 2004 (6:32 am)
Is anyone familiar with the spark plugs on the V8 Tundra Engine? I believe it is the 2UV-FE Engine. I have a 2003 and the manual says there are spark plugs but when I look at the engine, where the spark plugs should be there are flat rectangular black caps. The caps have a bolt holding them down adn there is a four pin connector attached. Following this wire to the harness, I find that the other 7 similar caps lead to the same harness and the harness goes in a large black cover on the front of the drivers side valve cover. So I assume these rectangular caps are the spark plug covers and the black cover on the front of the valve cover is the distributor, but this leaves me with one issue. Why four wires leading to the spark plug and why are they so small? Normally spark plug cables are much thicker due to the high voltage. Replies to this message: dwbehrens (Jul 01, 2004 5:56 am) jlucari (Jan 16, 2006 5:53 pm)
#54 of 184 by ageyling Mar 02, 2004 (6:38 am)
Found an answer somewhere else for a 2000 Tundra. I assume it is the same.   They are located under each coil boot...Instead of one ignition coil like in older vehicles...each spark plug has its own coil boot.
#55 of 184 Tacoma DC questions by spyd Mar 04, 2004 (9:13 am)
Hey all. I have an 2001 Tacoma DC, I'm quickly reaching 50K miles and need to change all 4 tires, 5 with the spare. But I'm also thinking about trying to improve the ride quality by changing the shocks and struts, the ride is just a little too bouncy for me as an everyday driver. My questions are:  1. If changing the shocks and struts, along with new tires are enough to improve the ride, or is it there not going to be much difference?  2. Is there a particular brand/make I should be looking for?  3. Should I just get my tires changed and the 50K mile service, and save the money for the Scion tC for the "better" ride?   Thanx in advance Spyd
#56 of 184 30,000 mile service by jyd2 Mar 10, 2004 (11:23 am)
My 2001 tundra needs the required 30,000 mile service done.   My local toyota dealer is quoting $429.95 to do the job, while an independent mechanic is advertising something like $280.00 in the newspaper.   My question is whether or not i'm required under warranty to have the work done by a Toyota mechanic. Am I stuck having to pay the inflated dealer price if I don't want to void the warranty? I really don't have that much money and it would be a great help to save over 100 bucks.   i have the 3 extra year extended warranty with Toyota also..doubt that makes any difference.
#57 of 184 oil change for Tundra by doochem Mar 15, 2004 (8:24 am)
I would like to know if Tundra owners in southern states like Florida are using toyota recommended 5w30 motor oil. It seems to me that in hot climates it would be wiser to use something like 10w40 instead. I have been told that the only reason Toyota recommends the lighter oil is to eke out a little higher gas mileage. I have always used 20w50 in my former cars, and it worked out very well. I drove each one of them over 150,000 miles and neither of them was consuming any oil at that point. What is the general feeling among Toyota owners? I have a 2003 Camry and a Tundra that I have to service. each vehicle has over 1000 miles on it. Thanks

Messages Page 6 of 19 1 ... 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ... 19 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

You are here: Forums Pickups Toyota Tacoma Toyota Tacoma Care and Maintenance