If you want to save some money, working on your Toyota Tundra yourself can be a good way to do it. On top of the extra cash in your pocket, you will start learning some very sought after skills that will be with you for a lifetime. This guide will give you some helpful tips and Tundra specs to help you get the job done.

It is best to be sure about what you’re doing. Trying is a good way to learn, but it can also be a bad way to mess up your truck if you make a mistake. A mechanic may cost more, but they know what they are doing, and they generally warranty their work. If you decide to tackle the jobs yourself, here are some much-needed tools that you will use again and again.

• Torque Wrench
• Breaker Bar
• Socket Set

INSPECTING AND ADJUSTING FLUID LEVELS

Engine Oil (0W-20 Synthetic oil - Toyota part # 00279-0WQTE-01)

1. Check with the engine warm, over 5 minutes after shutting off the 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. With a fresh filter, the engine has a capacity of 8.5 quarts

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

• Between LOW and FULL lines with the engine cold

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

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

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

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

Automatic Transmission Fluid (Toyota Part Number 00289-ATFWS)

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:
  Steel wheel: 154 ft·lbf (209 N·m, 21.3 kgf·m)
  Aluminum wheel: 97 ft·lbf (131 N·m, 13.4 kgf·m)
• Retighten the wheel nuts within 100 miles (160 km) of driving

REPLACING ENGINE OIL

Toyota recommends using synthetic oil, so replace it every 10,000 miles or 12 months. Severe use and excessive idling 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)
• Skid plate - 21 lb-ft (5 12mm bolts, and 3 10mm fasteners)

Parts:

• Oil - 8.5 qts 0W-20 Synthetic Oil - Toyota part # 00279-0WQTE-01
• Oil pan drain plug gasket - Toyota part # 90430-12031
• Oil filter element kit - Toyota part # 04152-YZZA4

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 a 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 from 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.

Here's a great video on how to do change the oil.

LUBRICATE PROPELLER SHAFT and RE-TORQUE PROPELLER SHAFT BOLTS (2018 and newer)

Toyota recommends doing this at every major service interval as well as after driving through flooded roads. However, with 2018 and newer models, that doesn’t make much of it user-serviceable, and Toyota does not suggest doing it yourself.

RE-TORQUE LEAF SPRING U-BOLTS

Torque spec:

• 74 lb-ft

REPLACE CABIN AIR FILTER

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

Parts:

• Filter - Toyota part # 8713950100 or if you want something a little nicer, these K&N washable air filters are legit!

Tips:

You can find how to do this in your manual or you can watch this video:

REPLACE ENGINE AIR FILTER

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

Parts:

• Filter - Toyota part # 17801-0P010, but like the cabin air filter, I'd highly suggest this K&N filter.

Tips:

Easy job, but ensure there are no holes or rips in the new filter and make sure the airbox where the filter will be going is clean. Double-check that you have a good seal so no air can get in around the filter.

You can check out this video if you need some help!

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 - 73 lb-ft 

Parts:

• Rotors - Toyota part # 435120C020
• Pads - Toyota part # 0446502440

REAR BRAKES

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

Brake caliper mounting bolts - 70 lb-ft 

Parts:

• Rotors - Toyota part # 424310C011
• Pads - Toyota part # 0446602340

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)

Parts:

• Toyota Genuine Differential gear oil LT 75W-85 GL-5 or equivalent - Toyota part # 08885-02506
• Front - 2.2 qts; Rear - 3.8-4.9 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 the bottom of the 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

Here is a good video on how to replace the differential fluid in your third-generation Tundra

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 - 26 lb-ft (24mm or 15/16")
• Fill plug - 26 lb-ft (24mm or 15/16")

Parts:

• 2 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
   

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:

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:

• 4-12.6 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:

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

Maintenance is an important part of owning a vehicle. Doing it yourself can be rewarding and save you a lot of money. However, mistakes can cost you quite a bit. Be careful, take your time, and get learning!

Image Credit

https://www.redmccombstoyota.com/2020-toyota-tundra-san-antonio-tx/

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