SECRETS Shared! Maintenance Tips on Million Mile Toyota Tundra 

Curious if either million mile driver changed the timing belt. The older recommendation was at 90K or so. I am asking because I have a Sequoia with a 4.7.

I thank one of the reasons most people don’t take there vehicles to the dealer is because of money the dealership charges way more then other shops do once the warranty runs out

Cool. Glad to see these stories provide value. Enjoy your truck!

I just bought a new Tundra with the 5.7, 2 months ago for the same reasons. Been burned by Chevy, Ford and Ram with stuff falling apart by 50,000 miles. My dad sells new Chevy's and Ram's and I can get whatever I want for cost, but I still went for a Tundra this time around. I hope it doesn't disappoint

@John D I put about 40k miles/year on a truck. Not as much as these guys, but more than most. I have no problem spending money on maintenance. I have the oil changed at 5000 miles instead of the factory allowed 10000 miles. Time will tell. I will be a Toyota fan for life if they don't screw me like Chevy, Ram and Ford have.

There is actually 4 tundras with a million miles now

@@Pickuptrucktalk how many water pump he have put in it ? Cv axles ?

The worst case of a crooked dealer that I've seen first hand. My friend had a Dodge Ram, at around 95000 miles he had a lot of white smoke coming out of exhaust. He took it to the dealer to have it checked out. He was told that he had a hole in one of the pistons. He was told that they sold only long block replacements. They didn't sell short blocks. The dealer wanted nearly $6000 for the long block. My friend told the service manager he would have to think about it. The dealer tried to pressure by telling him if he took off he could cause more damage to the motor. My friend thought it over for a couple of days and finally decided to tear down and rebuild the motor himself. During the breakdown he noticed that a couple of the head bolts weren't torque on as tight as the others. When he got the head off he could see a path on the head that was from a coolant leak due to those loose head bolts. So it turned out he never had a hole in one of the pistons. The dealer most likely knew that it probably had loose head bolts since other customers were probably coming in with the same issue. This happen over 10 years and his pickup has been running since.

Rhaspun you spend all that time writing that?

@@jkamer2168 If you think that is a lot of effort. Then no can help you.

My oil light came on after driving down from Ohio to Florida. My dealer I serviced it at failed to tighten the oil drain bolt properly.

@@Rhaspun "No can help you." Solid. ;-)

@Chris P 260k miles on my 2013 and 30k miles on my 2021. No need to drop the pan for the transmission. Just a simple drain and fill will suffice. Usually add half a quart more than what I drained out and then hook a scanner to it to read temp and then check level. No reason to flush or to change the strainer/ filter on these

@Chris P no problem !

Stay oem

people always calling the dealer the stealership until they're outta warranty and expect that goodwill warranty repair

I say after 60 the every 30. I agree....why do they flaunt it as lifetime.. And everything is "sealed". That transmission still has a drain a fill and a check same as engine oil

@@666dynomax Lifetime of the warranty is better wording

Just did 2 “drain & flush “ on my 18 tundra (55,000 miles)and couldn’t believe how black and burnt my fluid was! If towing in mountains u need to do it at 30!

@@jims7735 18-21 Tundras no longer have the trans cooler, and despite Toyota claiming its fine, the fluid fouls much quicker as a result. I highly recommend looking into installing it on your truck, as I did on mine. Its not super expensive and is *much* better on your transmission, ESPECIALLY if you tow.

i'd say more like 30k.

Thanks. I really wanted to get another angle on the story this time.

2011 4.6l v8 driver here. Just hit 100000 miles the other day. Should I do anything with the transmission fluid?

@@nanokcasts9187 ws is good for 30k miles max. I have 225k miles tundra with 4.6. check my channel

@@nanokcasts9187 change ever 50 thousand miles if you want it to go a very long time. 100k is alright but it's 10 years old that's pushing it

Do you guys mean 4.7L?

EPA requirements to make it harder for DIYer's to service certain components. They call it lifetime if it extends over 100k miles. The goal is to reduce the amount of fluids coming out of these vehicles which is why the idiots at the EPA believe oil should not be changed for 10k miles. Irony is the failure of these parts creates more of a headache so I have no idea why they go about that route. The service manuals also do not have a suggested interval for trans fluid changes so many folks who are grossly misinformed about this claim modern vehicles do not need a transmission fluid change. Eventually shit fails and people buy newer cars which is the ultimate goal cause apparently newer cars are cleaner which basically stopped being true after ULEV's came into the picture. Backward logic cause the way I see it, a well maintained vehicle stays healthy, and the carbon footprint from building a whole new vehicle is offset by owners who know what they're doing. I've drained and refilled all my Lexus's so far and they're all well over 155k miles with no issues at all including my GX470 that we take rock crawling often. The fluids are truly amazing today if folks would just change them regularly and dispose of them safely.

Also it lowers the “cost of ownership” for the manufacture to advertise. If they recommend every single item as often as you should then they would be advertised out of business. In addition if you ask most manufacturers what “life of vehicle is” and they will say 120k-150k hints why manuals don’t go any further. The average person trades a vehicle every 3-4 years.

WS fluid is nothing special . Mobil makes it for Toyota , It's a semi synthetic . Not even a full synthetic fluid 👎.. Ultimate is change to amsoil signature series ATF

E Puebla When did you get it done and how much did it cost?

Craigsclocks, I got it done around 6 months ago. The price I got was around $150,but I paid $50. I don't know how but that's what I paid for the whole the thing. Also, don't beleave what the Toyota tech says about being lifetime fluid, there's no such thing.

The fluid doesn't help when the filter is plugged up and it shells out anyway!I have seen people do no transmission maintenance until it gives trouble then it fails and they blame it on the flush.I have an old Yukon with 242000 miles and people are telling me to not service the transmission.FLUID Is brownish-red and I don't know the history.Shifts great no bad smell.I am leaning toward a filter change and adding what drains any advice appreciated

@@allanbrogdon7453 Just drop the pan and change the fluid and filter on that Yukon. Don't do a flush. Drop the pan and change the fluid every 30k beyond that point.

Myself and my dad both do the continuous oil change on the trans. On my Toyota I just drain what I can and top it up. On my dads Chevy we installed a drain plug in the pan. Now he can do a simple drain without the mess. He has an easier time because he still has a dipstick and fill tube.

No one says it straight like that ....! Just bought a 2011 tacoma (100000 miles) and plan to do similar except change the trans filter as well Was going to the dealer, but not really certain what they do for $300....?

My opinion is after about 250,000 miles (400,000km), a vehicle has basically paid itself off and owes you nothing. These million mile trucks are really something to behold.

Needed a 444440000099999

You will soon

That 4.7 is one hell of a bulletproof engine. Toyota should have just bored and stroked it or made a slightly larger version.

Pretty much same engine just shorter/longer stroke

4.7 seems to last longer and be more reliable

There’s now 3 million mile Tundras. The last one is a 5.7

$230 for transmission fluid?

Cvt is expensive as hell I just paid 200 to service my Tacoma I had àmsoil signature oil

I thought about spraying light coats of thinned down Cosmoline under it. This oil is used on firearms that need to be stored away for a long time

Inox. Learned this little trick from the Aussies. Basically acts as a barrier. I spray before winter hits. Keeps snow from accumulating and prevents salt from adhereing. Its like WD40 except will actually cling and not drip. www.amazon.com/Inox-MX3-Lubricant-300gm/dp/B0043TQ760/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=inox&qid=1579368838&s=instant-video&sr=1-2-catcorr

Fluid Film

Spray with Blaster “Shield”, also when you drain your ATF, save the fluid and pump inside the frame rails wherever you can. This will protect the pinch welds. This will displace water. Make sure the drain holes are not clogged up as well.

Bruh 120k is nothing lol this isnt 1956 where your proud of getting over ahundred k on a engine with your 2 speed trans lol

My grand pa has 400k on his 67 wagoneer. 3 speed on the column. He has rebuilt the engine before but his rebuisd aren't total over hauls. Its just fix whats broke. He has rebuilt it 3 times. (Partial rebuilds) once because it wore out. 2nd because it was vapor locking in 112 degree weather towing a camper in mountains causeing a valve to burn and that burned valve chunk gouged the cylinder. To get home they dropped the oil pan and un bolted that cylinder from the crank wedged it up with a block of wood then pulled the spark plug wire and drove it home from Colorado to pa on 7 out of 8 cylinders towing the same camper. It made it home. At somepoint he rebuilt it and road raged so before breakin wnded he took his wagoneer up to 120 (wagoneers start to wobble at 80) and it spun a bearing. So he put the used oem bearings back in and they have been in there since. The trans was taken apart at some point but it was in pretty good shape. They just replaced some slightly worn parts while it was apart then popped it back in. The diffs are original.

I run non ethanol as much as I can. 87 non ethanol here in Colorado.

Depends on the truck and how you drive it. If you tow a lot, change it. If not and the owner’s manual doesn’t call for it don’t. I think it is often over thought and stressed over much more than necessary.

Pickup Truck Plus SUV Talk • What if you’re buying a 2017 Tacoma that already has 100k+ miles? Also do you think you can get at least 300,000-500,000 out of a 3rd gen Taco?

TONY WICK I wouldn’t worry too much about the transmission. Just pull up the maintenance schedule and make sure all the items have been addressed. And yes, on getting half a million or more.

Pickup Truck Plus SUV Talk • Thank you!

I would still do it every 5 years at minimum, if you are extreme hot or cold climates every 3 years.

PartyUpLive .....follow owners manual, it’s in your glove compartment. I have followed owners manual for my 2007 4runner, have had no problems with it for 100,000 miles. Only major work I did was replace the front brake calipers, front springs, struts and rear shock absorbers. All the fluids changed as well, including coolant.

@big bass best advice so far...

He would disagree on the lifetime fluid talk.

Check your local dealer. Unless you are using it for lots of towing, I don’t think you need to do anything myself. But, better to check with them.

Check out Faye Hadley's youtube channel. She just released a great vid on servicing the sealed transmissions in Toyota trucks

Check your owners manual, it tells you everything.

I don't have a computer to read temp nor wanted to do the wire jump. I chose to read temp with a laser on the pan because I knew the pan temp would be within a few degrees of actual fluid temp. Them I saw her video which confirms I was right.

There is a channel called Toyota Maintenance and he has some Tundra Transmission videos

Keep on rolling! Let me know when you get a million.

Luis Vasquez Which engine. ?

Hope u get a free truck after a million for taking care of ur trucks and advertising their brand for so long

Just called Vic - the first Million Mike owner. He says he changed it three times on his 2007 and zero times on his new 5.7L due to it having a timing chain and not a belt. He has 430k miles on his new truck.

Pickup Truck Plus SUV Talk Thanks! And wow only 3 times in a million miles. Considering he had his maintenance done at a Toyota dealership and knowing the intervals for changing timing belts is around 90k miles that amazes me. I have a GX 470 (same engine) with 218k on it and just recently changed the belt, cam and crank seals, and water pump because the person I purchased it from had no record of it being changed. I’m thinking seriously about selling my Chevy and buying an older Tundra with the 4.7L. From the sounds of it the 5.7L is a tough engine also. And no belt to worry about every 90k. Thanks for answering my question! I appreciate it.

Crewchief2 your welcome.

Pickup Truck Plus SUV Talk 430k? Already. That’s awsome. Isn’t that a 2016?

McCuck81 2016 sounds right. I can’t recall exactly off the top of my head.

Drain refill fluid at the dealer. Will keep the trans from ever failing.

@@d1sturb3d119 if the transmission fluid has never been changed and has racked up mileage it'd be a good idea to also change the filter inside, with the pump running full capacity and no restriction this will prevent transmission slippage if there is significant wear. Mine has 241k miles with the 5.7L I'll be doing the first trans fluid change this spring, does have harsh engagement but shifts fine nonetheless

@@FredRobich Wow that's a ton of miles! Yes very well said. So far my SC is the only one with a bunch of miles but it's gotten fresh fluid over time. 287k. Prolly time to check the filter though. I've been using that as my drift/grip car. Its prolly time for a filter change too.

4.7 or 5.7, which do you have?

@@arminius301 I have the 5.7. I just ruined the engine a few days ago. I ran out of water somehow and overheated. 465k miles. Not sure where the leak was. Thinking I’ll throw a used engine in and keep rolling.

Lifetime fluid has always meant lifetime of the warranty to me.

Just changed mine first time. 250,000 miles no codes, no particles in old fluid, shifts like new. 2010 double cab 5.7.

No. He changed it just 3 times.

SiliconValleySky why yes I am. It’s all in the details, plus I love what I do! So that helps.

@@TheJackieLSU My wife is a trained airplane mechanic and has a degree in pro Aeronautics, If she gets sick of being an office jockey I am going to suggest she find a job like yours. Congrats on keeping both trucks on the road!

That is amazing! I couldn’t imagine how detailed she must be at her professional! #girlpower 💜

Why do you only hear about 1 million mile Toyota’s tho? You never hear nobody talking about a million mile Ford or Chevy

1 belt and water pump for 1st Tundra. I’m not sure on the 2nd. Why do you ask?

@@Pickuptrucktalk Wondering why the timing belt didn't snapped & engine crashed if the recommendation say every 90k, thoughts?

Sorry this got caught in RU-vid's spam filter for some reason. That's a good question and I really don't have an answer to it. Not sure why it wasn't changed more.

Do it every 90k. It's a belt that has to be replaced. Especially if it's an interfearance motor.

@@Pickuptrucktalk that would be an excellent question to ask that asst service manager. I've got 202k on my 07 4.7 and am considering changing mine based on toyota recommended service schedule of 90k. Yeah it's over due. It also has original plugs. Changing plugs, valve cover gaskets Saturday. There was also no mention of the crappy secondary air injection system either?

You do realize that proper body work and preventative maintenance can keep the body mint right? The first million mile Tundra still looks great despite its years of consistent use. Protect your paint, condition your leather, and apply restorative agents to your plastics, and it'll still look new in 10 years.

Ford drivers no how to work on things by there nature. Toyota boys sit behind a desk and pay the dealership to change there oil every 5000 miles so they don't get dirty. Ford drivers hauling horse trailers farm equipment atvs and boats Toyota drivers hauling there friends to the mall or game stop

Good question. I'd think just a drain and fill.

Anyway we can confirm that?

guy proulx none that’s what I’m saying bud. I’ve had rams, chevys and fords and replaced more parts on them then the million mile tundras.

@@jantzenmoore2250 I am in the market for an ls 6.0 hd. None of them hold up as well as 1st gen Tundra. I love GM styles, but quality sucked.

funkierfawn budgie im guessing his working hours is just driving. 8-10 hours a day at 50mph gets u 400-500miles a day... speed depending on his load. But yeah, 10 hours a day 5-6 days a week. Hope the owner takes care of himself just as much as he takes care of his truck.

You drain and fill the transmission fluid twice a year! Is that correct?

that is total insanity and a huge waste of money

@Adam On a 19 you can change oil every 10K ....I am planning on doing mine every 7500 as it is synthetic Oil so I think you are really wasting money especially if you are changing out Synthetic Oil every 3K miles.

@John D Yes that is easy intervals to remember. Have you heard from any 2019-20 Tundra owners that tow like you having any "High" transmission temps? This stays in the back of my mind due to Toyota discontinuing Transmission coolers on the 19-20 models. Some say the temps are too high for longevity.

@@dalephillips8250 yes, the trans runs hotter (200f~ in warm climates) and the fluid fouls quicker. It was a sneaky and cheap way to save a few bucks on parts, likely put in place by some corporate hack trying to meet a profit goal. They say its "fine" but any mechanic worth their salt will tell you a transmission should not be running that hot. I highly recommend buying and installing the thermostat and cooler; it isn't that expensive and will greatly extend the life of your powertrain. I did it on mine and the transmission Temps have dropped significantly. Definitely worth it if you tow.

Nope.

@@Pickuptrucktalk RIP. There goes my new truck plan.

bookuroo overwatch 😂

Where in the rust belt?

@@Pickuptrucktalk Michigan

Jeff Pittel interestingly I’m in Michigan right now with family. Graduated high school in Ortonville. I hear you on rust and understand the concern. If I could find a truck with a million miles and rust, I’d do a video for sure.

My 07 tundra was starting to show rust especially under the bed mat it was getting pretty bad. (NW Iowa) But I believe that bed mat was trapping in a lot of moisture. Got a spray in bed liner on my 2020. BTW my buddies 07 Silverado was a rust bucket much worse than the Tundra. Not sure which was worse the way the thing rusted out ALL over or how it was continually breaking down. New engines new transmissions. Yes 2 of each. Seemed like he repaired or replaced everything on that truck. And he lemon lawed his 06??

@guy proulx yes, it is sold in Costa Rica but nobody use it for work. Here Toyota sale all their SUVs and trucks, including the Tacoma and Tundra.

@guy proulx www.toyotacr.com/autos/tundra

@guy proulx I don't remember, since like 2015-2016 but I'm not sure. It had been sold before but as used vehicles that were imported from U.S.

My father in law worked around the world in mines for Goodyear. In Jakarta, he said the Toyota trucks would outlast everything else 5-1, driving up mountains, through the thickest dust, and we're beat up. I sold my F150 and still driving the 2006 4.7 double cab.

😂😂😂😂😂

For most trucks owners it is lifetime.

I argued with the dealer about" lifetime fluid"...I told the rep has was insane. .then took it to a transmission shop and had them change it. Screw the dealer....

Just got rid of two mopars. Never again will I own one. Toyota for me from now on.

Not so far. I’m hoping he goes for another million so I can do another story!

@@Pickuptrucktalk Toyota would love to see a millions miles Tundra 5.7

Pink Man Find one and I’ll do a story ASAP.

TOYOTA may give him a new Truck Not another 4.7 iron block headed maybe the 5.7 aluminum block headed.

His daughter Kelly did too!

Exactly! Drain and fill.

Not dreamt up by Toyota. That is an EPA dream. They're the idiots trying to prevent you from changing the fluid in the transmission.

Toyota didnt come up with the "sealed transmission" it's a ploy because most Americans dont keep their vehicles long enough to worry about the aftermath of not changing their transmission fluid. Lifetime means 100,000 miles in most cases.

Not many do.

@@Pickuptrucktalk my issue with it is adding fluid mostly. I currently have a torque converter shudder issue at 250k on my 2005 tundra. Engine is strong 💪 I have owned Toyota's since 1982 I buy nothing else for daily drivers.

Country Prepper I could see that. There might be an aftermarket solution. I haven’t gone that deep on it though.