It’s always fun and generally cheaper to do work on your truck yourself. Sometimes you may know how to do the job, but need some vehicle specific details and quick tips. That’s where this guide comes in.

Keep in mind that if you are not completely confident or sure about what you are doing, you could always cause some extreme damage to your Tacoma. It’s best to take your truck to a mechanic in those situations, but if you want to tinker, here's some helpful information and here's three tools that will come in handy for almost all of the maintenance you will be doing:

• Torque Wrench
• Breaker Bar
• Socket Set

Inspecting and Adjusting Fluid Levels

Engine Oil (0W-20 ILSAC GF-5 oil - Toyota part # 00279-0WQTE-01)

1. Check with the engine warm, over 5 minutes after shutting off engine
2. Tip: Leave the dipstick out while waiting 5 minutes to allow the oil in the dipstick tube to drain back down. It makes it easier to read.
3. Per manual, it’s 1.6 quarts from the low mark to the full mark. Don’t overfill your oil!

Coolant (Toyota SLLC - Toyota part # 00272-SLLC2, 50/50 pre-diluted, Canada is 55/45)

1. Between LOW and FULL lines with the engine cold

Brake Fluid (FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703)

1. Between MIN and MAX (should be near or at max with fresh pads)

 Power Steering Fluid (Automatic transmission fluid DEXRON® II or III)

1. Between min and max (cold and hot lines provided)
2. Cold - Not driven in the last 5 hours (50-85 degrees Fahrenheit fluid temp)
3. Hot - Driven 50 MPH for 20 minutes (140-175 degrees Fahrenheit fluid temp)

Clutch Fluid (FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703)

Rotating Tires

• Tires should be rotated every 5,000 miles or 6 months.
• Front to back or back to front on each side
• Lug nut torque - 83 lb-ft (21mm)
• Check torque after about 1000 miles after rotating

Replacing Engine Oil and Filter

If you want a complete guide, we have one on how to change the oil on a third generation Toyota Tacoma.

Assuming you are using synthetic oil, replace it every 10,000 miles or 12 months. Severe use might be every 5,000 miles or 6 months.

Torque specs:

• Oil pan drain plug - 30 lb-ft (14mm)
• Oil filter cap - 216 lb-in/18 lb-ft (TOY640 with 15/16" or 24mm socket)
• Oil filter drain plug - 120 lb-in/10 lb-ft (3/8" square drive)
• No. 1 engine under cover sub-assembly - 22 lb-ft (12mm)
• No. 2 engine under cover sub-assembly (off-roads) - 22 lb-ft (12mm)

Parts:

• Oil - 6.1-6.2 qts 0W-20 ILSAC GF-5 oil - Toyota part # 00279-0WQTE-01
• Oil pan drain plug gasket - Toyota part # 90430-12031
• Oil filter element kit - Toyota part # 04152-YZZA1

Special tools:

• Toyota Oil Filter Socket Wrench (or Toyota SST 09228-06501)
• 5/8” ID tubing (for oil filter drain pipe)

Tips:

1. Requires removing skid(s) for access.
2. The oil filter has a permanent housing. The oil filter element kit includes new filter cartridge, two new gaskets, and the temporary oil filter drain pipe.
3. The hose for the oil filter drain pipe (if used) should be 5/8” ID (15 mm). You can find it at your local hardware store’s plumbing section for around one dollar.
4. Proper torque of the oil filter cap and oil filter drain plug should help prevent the cap coming off before the drain plug on the next change, which can be a lot cleaner.
5. When you remove the filter drain plug, give it a little impact. If you're too smooth, the plug and housing will try and move together.

Lubricate Propeller Shaft 

You should do this every 15,000 miles or 18 months. If it’s severe, it should be every 5,000 miles or 6 months.

Parts:

• Spider Grease

Special tools:

• Grease Gun

Tips:

1. Spiders should be greased until fresh grease purges from all four seals. They should purge somewhat evenly. If they don’t, there may be a problem.
2. I would not attempt to lube the center support bearing. I suspect it is sealed and is meant never to be self-serviced.
3. Only four-wheels-drives have zerk fittings. You won't find any on a two-wheel-drives.

Re-Torque Propeller Shaft Bolts

You should do this every 15,000 miles or 18 months. If severe, try every 5,000 miles or 6 months.

Torque specs:

• U-joint bolts - 65 lb-ft (14mm/17mm)
• Center support bearing - 27 lb-ft (Be careful with this. If it was loose, it may need realignment)

Tips:

1. You will need a 14mm and 17mm box ends or flarenuts for the u-joint flanges. Sockets will not fit.
2. The flanges at the transfer case have a 17mm bolt head with a 14mm nut.
3. Flanges at the diffs have a 14mm bolt with a 14mm nut.
4. I recommend a box-end or flarenut crowfoot on your torque wrench, but don't forget to lower your torque setting due to the longer torque arm. Here's a calculator on how to do that: http://www.cncexpo.com/TorqueAdapter.aspx
5. You will have to remove the heat shield at rear of the transfer case (12mm)

Re-Torque Leaf Spring U-bolts

Torque spec:

• 52 lb-ft (19mm)

Replace Cabin Air Filter

You should do this every 20,000 miles or 24 months.

Parts:

• Filter - Toyota part # 88508-01010

Tips:

1. If you don't know how to do this, you can find it in your owner’s manual.

Replace Engine Air Filter

This should be done every 20,000 miles or 24 months.

Parts:

• Filter - Toyota part # 17801-0P100

Tips:

1. This is an easy job, but you don't want to mess it up. Make sure there are no holes or tears in your new filter. Make sure everything is clean before you open up the box and remove filter. Also, make sure you have a good mating/seal around entire edge of the filter. Gaps could let dirt in past your filter and into your engine.

Front Brakes

You should visually inspect them every 5,000 miles or 6 months and measure them every 30,000 miles or 36 months.

Torque specs:

• Brake caliper mounting bolts - 91 lb-ft 

Service Specs:

• Pad min thickness: 1.0 mm
• Rotor min thickness: 26.0 mm
• Max rotor runout: 0.05 mm

Parts:

• Rotors - Toyota part # 43512-04052
• Pads - Toyota part # 04465-04090

Tips:

1. Measure the runout 10 mm from outer edge of the rotor; the rotor should be installed with all six lug nuts torqued to 83 lb-ft when you’re checking.
2. If the runout is beyond the maximum limit, check the bearing play and axle hub runout is normal before replacing the rotors.
3. If the rotor is stuck on the hub, use an M8-1.25 bolt in the holes on the rotors to break it free.
4. Install new rotors in a position with the least amount of runout.

Rear Brakes

You should visually inspect them every 5,000 miles or 6 months and measure them every 30,000 miles or 36 months.

Service specs:

• Drum max diameter - 10.08 in
• Shoe min thickness - 1.0 mm

Replace Differential Oil

Inspect your rear diff every 15,000 miles or 18 months. If severe, replace the oil every 15,000 miles or 18 months.

Torque specs:

• Rear diff drain plug - 36 lb-ft (24mm or 15/16")
• Rear diff fill plug - 36 lb-ft (24mm or 15/16")
• Front diff drain plug - 48 lb-ft (10mm hex)
• Front diff fill plug - 29 lb-ft (10mm hex)
• No. 2 engine under cover assembly - 22 lb-ft (12mm)

Parts:

• Toyota Genuine Differential gear oil LT 75W-85 GL-5 or equivalent - Toyota part # 08885-02506
• Front - 1.6 qts; Rear - 3.1-4.2 qts (varies with model)
• Rear drain plug gasket - Toyota part # 12157-10010
• Rear fill plug gasket - Toyota part # 12157-10010
• Front drain plug gasket - Toyota part # 90430-24003
• Front fill plug gasket - Toyota part # 12157-10010

Tips:

1. Perform while your vehicle is level
2. Ensure you can remove the fill plug before draining
3. Proper level should be within 5 mm of bottom of fill plug opening
4. Re-check the level after driving
5. Save the new fill plug washer until the final check
6. You will need to remove the skid plate and may need a bottle pump for front
7. Gasket kit for transfer and differential
8. Here is a good guide on how to replace your differential fluid in a 3^rd generation Tacoma

Replace Transfer Case Oil

Inspect your transfer case every 30,000 miles or 36 months. If severe, replace the oil every 30,000 miles or 36 months.

Torque specs:

• Drain plug - 27 lb-ft (24mm or 15/16")
• Fill plug - 27 lb-ft (24mm or 15/16")

Parts:

• 1.1 qts SAE 75W Toyota Genuine Transfer gear oil LF or equivalent - Toyota part # 08885-81080
• Drain plug gasket - Toyota part # 90430-A0003
• Fill plug gasket - Toyota part # 90430-A0003

Tips:

1. Ensure you can remove the fill plug before draining
2. After filling, leave the plug out and let sit for about five minutes and recheck. Add more fluid if necessary.
3. Rear Diff and Transfer Case Gasket Kit
   

Manual Transmission Oil

Visually inspect the oil every 30,000 miles or 36 months. If it’s severe, replace it every 30,000 miles or 36 months.

Torque specs:

• Drain plug - 27 lb-ft (24mm or 15/16")
• Fill plug - 27 lb-ft (24mm or 15/16")

Parts:

• Toyota Genuine Manual Transmission Gear Oil GL-3 (GL-4) or equivalent, SAE 75W-90
• 4 cyl - 2.3 qts, 6 cyl - 2.6 qts
• Drain plug gasket
• Fill plug gasket

Tips:

1. Perform while your vehicle is level
2. Ensure you can remove the fill plug before draining
3. Proper level should be within 5 mm of bottom of fill plug opening
4. Here is a good article on how to replace the manual transmission oil in a 3^rd generation Tacoma

Replace Automatic Transmission Fluid 

Visually inspect the oil every 30,000 miles or 36 months. If it’s severe, replace it every 60,000 miles or 72 months.

Torque specs:

• Drain plug - 180 lb-in/15 lb-ft (14mm)
• Overflow plug - 180 lb-in/15 lb-ft (5mm hex)
• Fill plug - 29 lb-ft (24mm or 15/16")

Parts:

• Toyota ATF WS fluid - Toyota part # 00289-ATFWS
• Drain plug gasket - Toyota part # 35178-30010
• Overflow plug gasket - Toyota part # 35178-30010
• Fill plug gasket - Toyota part # 90301-15004

Special tools:

• Toyota SST 09843-18040 (basically, you just need a wire to jumper two OBD ports)
• Bottle pump (to use for filling)

Tips:

1. Here is a good reference article
2. The quantity of fluid will depend on what you do. Per the TIS repair manual, it directs three drain/refill/circulates for a replacement, so it will probably be somewhere between 10-12 quarts.

Replace Engine Coolant

Inspect the coolant every 15,000 miles or 18 months. You should replace it at 100,000 miles or 120 months, and then every 50,000 miles or 60 months thereafter.

Parts:

• 9.1-11.1 qts Toyota SLLC - Toyota part # 00272-SLLC2 (50/50 pre-diluted, Canada is 55/45). The quantity depends on the model. Consult your manual.

Tips:

1. Be careful. There is a special sequence to fill the system and remove all the voids without damaging or overheating anything.

Working on your truck can be a satisfying feeling. Sometimes things can be easy, and sometimes they are not. It is always best to take your truck to a mechanic in the event you are unsure of what you are doing. One wrong mistake could cost you thousands to repair. However, if you do know what you are doing, hopefully these numbers and tips help you with the most important aspect of vehicle ownership: maintenance.

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