Thoughts on fluid change intervals?

Hello!

I have a 2010 5.7l crewmax and am at about 78k miles, not the first owner (bought the truck at about 70k). I was looking into maintenance schedules and It seems like at about 90k I am supposed to be doing transmission, transfer case, differential, coolant, and brake fluid.(I also daw timing belt and spark plugs but I don’t feel like those are necessary)

However, I thought some of these were supposed to be lifetime fluids. I’ve also heard people say not to change transmission fluid due to having more issues changing than leaving it alone.

Anyways, I am just not really sure what I should plan for coming up. Prior to me there are service records and the truck had oil changes and tire rotations basically every 5k miles and then a transmission fluid at 50k but that was all that’s been done to this point.

So my question is what should I actually do at 90k and what are realistic intervals for things?

 

I recommend the TC & diff be done Now. The others can wait till 90k. And add power steering fluid to list.

The 5.7 (3UR) has a timing Chain not a belt as the 2UR.

5K is a nice EZ to remember interval for motor oil - filter. I also recommend a trans drain-fill every 5 motor oil changes to keep it fresh along the way. Luck and enjoy.

 

I of course do oil changes in the 5k-10k mile range since I use synthetic. Usually 5k with tire rotations but some of the other fluid frequencies seem odd.

I appreciate the advice I just don’t know about things like power steering or brake fluid. It just seems silly to change unless there is a reason or problem.

 

Well power steering fluid eventually degrades enough so on cold mornings the pump may strain at first and make grinding noises - you could wait till it happens and deal with it then.

Brake fluid also degrades especially in more humid climates as it absorbs water from the air. Long term it can affect the brake systems with threats of rust but it too can wait - supposed to be swapped every 2 yrs but I suspect many many folks never do it at all and they seem fine.

I drained my rear diff at 90K (most likely first time as I also bought mine at 70) and it came out nearly black - not burnt yet but close and I don't tow much at all. It sees a lot of action back there.

 

When I changed my rear diff fluid at 30.000 miles it was solid black, when I changed my front diff and transfer case oil at 50.000 miles the fluid looked brand new (golden colored) The rear diff should be changed out much earler than the other 2. Also I would drain and fill the transmission fluid as well. There is no such thing as (forever oil) All oil will break down after many miles, clean oil is much better than dirty oil.

 

What I do

Transmission- drain and fill every 50-70k miles
Diff- drain and fill every 50k miles
Spark Plugs every 100k miles, coil when they fail ( Keith from Dirty Deeds Industries has said he re replaces all coils with plug)
Coolant if using the Toyota Super Long Life every 100k miles ( I change mine with timing belt and water pump change)
Brake fluid every 4 years

The transmission fluid is the only fluid that claims to be lifetime which most people disagree with including YouTuber Car Care Nut who is a former Toyota Master Tech who now owns his own shop and is considered a dependable resource his recommendation for tranny fluid is a drain and fill every 60k miles