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Comments
thanks
Our current model year vehicles have the following unleaded fuel octane rating recommendations:
MODEL OCTANE
4Runner 87*
Avalon 87*
Camry
4 Cylinder
87
V6 87*
Celica
GT 87
GT-S 91
Corolla
CE, LE, S 87
XRS 91
ECHO 87
Highlander
4 Cylinder 87
V6 87*
Land Cruiser 87*
Matrix
Standard/XR 87
XRS 91
MR2 Spyder 87
Prius 87
RAV4 87
Sequoia 87*
Sienna 87*
Solara
4 Cylinder 87
V6 87*
Tacoma
4 Cylinder
87
V6 87*
Tundra 87*
* For improved vehicle performance, the use of premium unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 91 or higher is recommended.
You are blessed to be getting that kind of mileage on your truck. The fact that you have 2wd is a bonus in gas mileage as you know 4wd suffer more on mpg.
The rear end is 3.73 and I failed to mention that the engine is the 5.3 liter.
Everyone I know that has a Z71 with this engine and rear end gets pretty poor mileage. I guess that the way it is. I am thinking about synthetic oil to help with mpg.
Again thanks for the reply and good luck on whatever racing that you do.
It is making me think twice about a K+N air filter
Has any one had their first oil change done yet ? Has anyone heard if regular or synthetic oil is better ?
www.usatoyotaparts.com/Products/parts_list_8.html
http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/2005/tacoma/accessories.html
Bed Mat ($83.99US)
Running Boards ($291.98US)
Roof Rack ($299.98US)
Fog lights (No Canadian kit available, to buy separately is $428.77US for both)
TRD Stickers ($143.03US for both or $60.80US for both OLD style)
I know of the www.toyotapart.com web site but only the Running Boards are on there. The roof rack is but says it is unavailable. Anyone out there order any of these parts, is it better to buy aftermarket or dealer ?
Would you really pay $143 for TRD stickers? I'd almost peel them off mine if I could sell them for that much!
[leob1]
Read that article about K&N posted a while back. Very interesting information in there, also has information about different brands of oil filters. It might give you some ideas to look for other brands of oil filters. (Oh, just realized that was you that posted the link...)
Sorry. Maybe by the second oil change, there will be more available.
Speaking of oil changes, when is everyone planning on getting their oil changed the first time, or when did you? I want to switch to Mobil 1 at some point, and will probably do it then. I'd like to get an aftermarket (better) filter though. I have these "coupons" that my dealer sold me when I bought the truck, but they want you to come in every 3,000 miles. While I guess it wouldn't hurt anything (except wasting oil), it just means I'll have to bring the truck in more often. I guess I could just wait until 5,000, then use the coupon for the 6,000 mile change. We've been doing 5,000 mile service intervals with my wife's TSX, of course using Mobil 1, and haven't had any problems yet.
The best oil filter, according to that web site was the PureONE filter by Purolator.
http://www.pureoil.com/ProductFinder.aspx?action=AS
They list a model number as listed below.
4 Cyl: PL10241
6 Cyl: PL10241
They list all these places as retailers that carry their filters (US).
Advance Auto Parts
Meijer
Arch Auto
Mills Fleet Farm
Bi-Mart Corporation
Pep Boys
BLT
Performance Warehouse
Bomgaars
RiteWay Auto
Coast Auto Supply
Sears
D & D Auto
Strauss Discount Auto
Discount Auto Parts
VIP Discount Auto
GI Joe's
Weaver Sales
Fred Meyer
JDL Prostock
I guess I will go back and test drive the truck again and make a evaluation. It would be great if the dealer would let me have it for overnight, but I would have a better chance of a naked playboy bunny walk into my office.
When these trucks cost as much as they do I don't want to have a case of buyers remorse.
I doubt you will have buyers remorse after buying this truck. I know I didn't.
As for oil changes. I just changed mine on Tuesday and put in Mobile 1 synthetic. I was just over 4300 miles. I thought my Ranger's oil was easy to change...had nothing on the Tacoma. The filter was on pretty tight but other than that, it was a breeze. Don't trust to the dealer what you can do yourself!
I now have about 11,000 miles on my truck( got it back in Nov), have had none of the problems posted, and am averaging about 19 mpg. I have just recently switched to 93 octane and can already tell the difference. Much smoother and more responsive. My mpg has probably gone down because I've been a little heavy on the gas testing out the changes. I'll update.
I was also told not to use FULL synthetic until the breakin is complete. It is so slippery that it can interfere with breaking parts in.
Nothing beats frequent oil changes(because the filters don't trap everything), so going full synthetic is costly. Prefer synthetic blends like Motorcraft or supertec(Walmart brand); they're good values and better than any conventional oil.
thanks for the listings, I will have to make some phone calls.
Hey everyone whats the consensus on running boards versus chrome tube steps.I think the tube steps look better,but wouldn't help much with the paint chipping.They also have color matched running running boards,but wouldn't they present their own paint scuffing problem?
B
I was told by a salesperson that a tube could be purchased to attach to the threads on the bottom of that oil filter cup. Not sure I believe that, but it couldn't hurt to check. The tube would allow the oil to drain down closer to the bottom of the vehicle, so you could put your oil pan under it.
Car's been great so far, no problems though I've only driven it a bit over 100 miles. It seems to have serious power -- do others think it is quick? I haven't really tromped on it yet, but just moderate throttle produces big rushes of speed! I like that. Someone mentioned a dash kit which would be nice. Toyota did a good job of making a plastic dash look decent, but -- it's still plastic. I assume this kit is carpet or some such to lay over the plastic? Also considering the tube steps -- the Dee Zee ones. I hate the tubes that have right angle turns but the Dee Zee style looks good. I'd like to actually see them on a truck before buying though. Here's a pic of me and new truck.
It is pretty amazing how much is included with the Platinum warranty and how little the Toyota Certified one covers.
fig.
I thought about getting 17-inch tires but won't, now, after seeing how much gravel/sand flinging the 16-inches do.
Boo
I hope it's not a standard $800 cost for the dealership, nationwide, or I'm going to be pretty upset! Does anybody know for "SURE" (Not, "someone said")
Boo
- I called the dealer asking if they would match the price I found and they said no. They didn't care if I canceled.
- I called Toyota Extra Care and they were very nice there. Said I could cancel and rebuy another warranty without any problem (within 30 days) as long as the car is within 3 yr/36K miles.
So if you're within 30 days of the agreement (fortunately I am) then it seems to be no problem.
I traded in my 02 Taco and paid a little less than $9k out the door, not a bad depreciation, and I get a much better truck.
The 05 makes the old Tacoma seem like a tin can. It is more spacious, solid and powerful. Ride is much nicer, I'm able to leap thru speed hump at 30mph without a jarring thump. You can notice the better quality by the way the door closes. The old Taco made a slamming noise while the newer one makes a solid, low noise thud. I do notice the engine knocks at high RPM, but that's because it's running on 87 octane. My Mustang V8 does the same thing if I ran low octane gas. My take is if you rev the engine a lot, like city driving and racing at the light, do it a favor and use premium. If you take it easy on the pedal and drive highway, the 87 octane is fine.
I do notice the glove box defect, but it's not a major issue for me. I might ask for a replacement if and when a perfect one comes out, but I can live with it.
When I got home, I noticed that the bed rails don't include any tie down cleats. Do these things come with the truck or are they accessories that you must buy?
Finally, drove to work this morning and had a chance to park side by side with a white 05 Frontier someone just bought about a couple of weeks ago. The Frontier doesn't look so bad, but I thought the Taco looks leaner, has higher clearance despite the Frontier's 17" wheels. I test drove both before deciding on the Taco because of better interior, higher resale value, and of course, I can get the VPP price, which negated the lower price of the Frontier. Regarding the debate between Taco and Frontier, I'd bet most buyers will do the same if the prices are equivalent on both.