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Toyota Tacoma Care and Maintenance
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KarenS
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KarenS
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Any ideas?
- Paul
Thanks!
- Paul
I've owned it for just over a year and the reputation his holds for its reliability. It's amazing that the little guy (I can see called a truck a girl) is 10 years old already....
- Paul
The sticker in the door jamb has settings for a 225/75R15 tire - nothing about my tires.
- bill
I've owned 4 Toyotas and driven over 400,000 miles with no breakdowns so there will be more!
It's almost time for new tires, the ones on the truck have 80,000 miles on them.
- P.
I've also noticed that if you change the oil with the engine cold, the filter comes off only about half full of oil--no spill. The disadvantage is that without the engine warm, the oil won't flow out as well.
Thanks,
Jim
Thanks!
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Mobil 1 gear oil in differentials (non limited slip), transfer cases, and manual transmissions is changed when new, thereafter every 100,000 miles.
Automatic trans fluid is drained and refilled every motor oil change (10,000 miles) using the drain plug found on all Toyota trans pans. Since the torque converter is not drained, refill is only 25% to 40% of full trans fluid capacity. I drop the pan and clean it every 40,000 to 50,000 miles. I don't use synthetic trans fluid, but adhere to Toyota's recommendation for use of Type T-IV fluid in the tranmissions that require it.
Advantages to a TOP quality drop in:
-correct one is custom fit to your truck
-will protect your bed better than spray on because of thicker material
-if liner becomes damaged, it can be pulled out and replaced (the spray in liners do become damaged over time)
-no overspray or wobbly edges if done poorly
-you don't have to worry about the bed being completely clean before putting it in
-cost is usually lower because of less labor
Disadvantages to any drop in:
-water can collect under the liner and rust your bed faster
Advantages to a TOP quality spray in liner:
-can be color matched to your truck, can even be multiple colors (from an experienced technician)
-tighter, more perfect coverage
-built in texture, stuff doesn't slide around as much in the bed
-no manufacturer name molded into the liner, you can make the bed as smooth as possible
Disadvantages to a spray in:
-built in texture can be rough on things you don't want scratched (you included)
-once it's there, it's there, even if it's a bad job (very tough to remove, redo, or touch up)
Noise - can rattle on rough roads.
Paint wear - movement between liner and painted bed can wear through paint (in spots) leading to rust.
Advantage: smoother surface = easier to clean.
Want to change fuel filter but can't find it.
Thought it was underneath by right rear wheel.
The engine seems to "buck" or cut out, rough idle.
It bucks when I stop accelerating, or on the level when foot is just resting on accelerator.
Started out by changing plugs, then spark plug wires, then distributor cap and rotor. All top quality parts. Oh yes, a can of drygas also.
Any thoughts on the matter appreciated.
Thanks,
Jon
The front shocks are mounted inside the coil spring which complicates the installation. Also gas shocks have to be compressed to get them onto the mounting studs.
I decided to let someone with a lift and all the proper tools do the deed. I don't get the thrill that I used to from crawling around under cars. (To each their own)
james
Thanks for the information (again). I suspected that the shocks would need to be compressed. You are right about working on cars. Realistically, I would rather spend the time with my daughter!
Still looking at Foresters? We love our '99 S. The XT looks nice huh?
Jon
Forester turbo, oh yeah!! I've test driven both the auto and 5-spd versions and they are both terrific. I know that I would love to own a 5-spd Forester, turbo or otherwise, but having driven a compact pickup for the last ten years, I just can't give up the utility that a pickup offers.
Maybe in a couple more years, when my truck's mileage gets too high to use as my daily driver, I'll buy a Subie and keep the Tacoma for occasional duty.
james
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.
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.
Thanks in advance.
They are located under each coil boot...Instead of one ignition coil like in older vehicles...each spark plug has its own coil boot.
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