Driving habits-prolong life

Just curious what everyone’s driving habits are like. I remember when I first got my 4Runner nearly 12yrs ago I was way more conscientious as to how I drove. As years have gone by I seem to drive it like a sports car that it isn’t… these things are just slow to get going so I feel I mash the pedal way more. I often wonder how much this has negatively affected my engine and tranny. I’m trying to go back to how I used to drive it. I’m hoping to hang on to it for as long as possible.

 

Once everything’s warmed up, do what you like and don’t sweat it. It’s a hard thing to quantify and if you insist, at least you’ll see fuel savings instead.

Change fluids on time at least and you’ll be fine.

 

Up at operating temp it's fine. I try not to WOT flooring it unless I have to like merging on highway.

It's a bulletproof platform with a large 6 cylinder not being stressed.

 

Good insight. I’m on-top of oil changes, every 5K. Just replaces radiator and power steering so those fluids are new. Have never done tranny fluid. Just hit 118k. Mechanic never mentioned for me too and not sure if it’s worth it. Any others?

 

You should get that AT fluid drained and filled if never done and do not get it flushed.
Transfer case and differential if never done. Brake fluid after checking for moisture.

 

OP, just out of curiosity, where do you live? What’s your odometer reading?

 

Why not flushed?

 

New England, 118K

 

There is a notion that if the transmission is flushed rather than just drained and filled that all manner of nasty bits will be dislodged and clog up tiny passages in the transmission.

So you are putting on just over 10k per year. If we posit that the lifespan of the 4Runner can be 300,000 miles your vehicle could potentially last 30 years. But there’s rust to consider. And rust isn’t the only thing to worry about. All sorts of plastic bits are going to fail. How long is “as long as possible”? If you are determined, you can make it last forever.

 

thanks for the info. I guess ultimately I’d love to pass it on to my kids in a few years when they start driving. Pains me to buy something new. I am really turned off that all the newer vehicles are a V4, Turbo or hybrid. Realllly not into any combo of those 3.

 

Consider these parking habits if you want to prolong the life your your tranny;

Engage the Brake: Before shifting into "Park," fully engage the brake pedal. This helps relieve pressure on the transmission.
Use the Parking Brake: Activate the parking brake after shifting to "Park." This reduces strain on the transmission and helps prevent rolling.
Avoid Shifting on Inclines: If parking on a slope, first use the brake to secure the vehicle, then shift to "Park" before engaging the parking brake.

Also;

Avoid Rapid Shifting: Don’t shift between drive and reverse too quickly; this can cause unnecessary wear on the transmission.
Regular Maintenance: Keep up with transmission fluid changes and other maintenance to ensure optimal performance.

 

Exactly! After a certain point the question of how much do you want to keep on investing in it to make it last longer versus the value of the vehicle comes up. And once the number really pile up after 250k, small things will happen on a regular basis Toyota or no Toyota. Chipped paint, cracked and faded plastic, rust spots, stuck bolts, leaking seals etc etc. This is if the frame can be saved from rusting.

 

Don't drive it like you stole it! I'm definitely guilty of babying mine.

 

You don’t want to always baby it actually you want to give it an Italian tune up once in a while because always baby driving it and short trips will cause carbon build up

to prolong the life be smooth on the gas and brakes if anything. I live in California and the idiot retards here race red light to red light just to slam on their brakes, that shit ain’t good for your car or wallet at all

 

I've always been taught to apply the parking brake prior to putting it in park as that fully relieves the pressure (obviously once fully stopped with brake pedal).

 

yes you want to put it in neutral and then parking brake and then parking gear otherwise if you put it in park and then the brake your parking pawl is holding all the weight not your parking brake

 

hahahaha

 

I think driving in a smooth manner will help vehicle life. It will stress the components less and be safer. Keep a safe following distance to avoid road hazards like potholes.

I see the vehicles that are falling apart with damage usually have the driver making jerky steering movements, sudden starts and stops and not paying much attention.

Exercising the upper half of the engines power won't cause much harm when the components are at operationg temp. Just press the pedal down smooth and enjoy!