Fluids

Hello. I'm not sure if this should be a new thread but I can't seem to find anything that speaks to overall "Fluid" maintenance.

I have a 2010 Toyota Tundra 2wd CrewMax with the V8. 100,000 Miles.

So, given that, relating to what the old 100K maintenance, and by the way, I'm not sure what has been done as I bought it from a dealer with a single owner according to Carfax. Assuming none of the below has been done....

1. Does my 2010 Toyota Tundra need a differential fluid replacement if not done in the past?
2. Does my 2010 Toyota Tundra need a transmission fluid replacement if not done in the past?
3. Does my 2010 Toyota Tundra need a coolant replacement, if not done in the past?
4. Spark Plugs? Not sure my 2010 Toyota Tundra needs them at 100K, I assume yes.

Everything else I maintain, Air Filters, Oil, etc.... Any other ideas? I try to stay clear of the dealer as I will walk away with a 2K tune-up.

Thanks. My apologies for spelling everything out, in my efforts to promote SEO so folks can find this great Toyota Tundra forum.

 

I change diff fluid every 30K and trans fluid (not a flush) every 60k

 

Thanks 831 Tun
. Do you take your Tundra to the dealer? I'm assuming not. DIY? BTW, I looked through your posts. Your Tundra is sick!

 

Coolant (and power steering fluid if dirty) needs to be changed at 100k miles. Spark plugs are every 120k miles. Like stated previously differentials and transfer case every 30k miles.

 

Thanks!

 

The diff fluids are easy enough, but be sure to take the fill plugs out first. You will probably find that the front drain plug strips, in which case you can get an extractor and just pump out what you can and refill what you replaced. Don't forget about the transfer case while you're there! (Assuming you have 4WD)

The transmission drain/fill procedure is well documented. If you have the two package, you'll need to lock open the thermostat for the transmission, otherwise it's not too complicated.

Coolant is the easiest one, just drain and fill then top off the overflow after you get the engine to temp and let it cool down.

Spark plugs are probably ready as well (I should be doing mine sometime soon!).

If you go to the dealer, you'll have to trust that they actually did the work, and that seems to get a little less likely with each day that passes.

 

Thanks! Yes, I may as well change the plugs with the fluid change.

 

Yes to all of the above, OP. You should look into changing all those fluids at this point. P/S fluid, too. Tranny can be a full changeout, using your engine and tranny pump, old fluid out the cooler out-line, new stuff in at the refill point. a gallon at a time, until you've replaced it all (14 qts) or you can just drain and refill several times over the next year or so. One thing you did not mention that should be done on your 12 year old truck.... brake fluid. You should replace it, too. But definitely, you're due to change all your fluids. It's all easy to DIY. Actually, the brake fluid changeout is probably better done by the dealer or a brake specialty shop. They have the equipment to do it quickly and efficiently. Everything else is easy to do.

 

If you don’t have any of the Toyota owners manuals and maintenance guides, go to the Toyota Owners site to download them.

https://www.toyota.com/owners/resources/warranty-owners-manuals.tundra.2010

Maintenance guide will answer a lot of your questions on fluid replacement intervals. However, Toyota deems some fluids as lifetime, such as transmission fluid and don’t mention them, so consider it a bare minimum guide and a starting point.

Greg

 

I just had all my fluids changed EXCEPT my power steering fluid. I've never heard that it needs to be changed out, in any of the vehicles I've owned and never had any problems. How important is the PS fluid change out? I'm at 218k right now......

 

Power steering fluid is like any other: it breaks down over time, so definitely change it.

I use a cheap turkey baster with a section of small clear hose taped on the end, to extract the PS fluid from the reservoir. Then refill with new fluid. Do this a couple of times, driving a couple days in between.

For the fluids themselves, I recommend quality aftermarket synthetics. Valvoline Maxlife and Castrol Transmax (not the type for CVT’s!) synthetic transmission fluids are excellent, available at WalMart, and work great in our transmissions.

For the differentials, if you want the best gear oil, use Amsoil, Redline Heavy Shockproof, or Valvoline synthetic (again at Walmart).

It is important to exchange your brake fluid as well, as the fluid in the lines at the calipers stays in the same place, and will break down with heat over time.

Tundra On!

toolcat

 

Ok then. Looks like I have a couple things left to do. Learn something new everyday, appreciate the info.....