Changing all fluids to synthetic?

Wow

 

Wow? That's what I am thinking also! I was just hoping that people would drop a couple of names. I didn't mean to start the debate to end all debates. What does "OP" mean?

 

Original Poster

 

Not your fault. This happens every single time someone asks what the best oil is. All the fanboy's come out of the woodwork to tout whichever oil brand they like best.

For future reference, never mention the following on any forum: politics, religion, or oil brand

 

Ok I get it! The funny thing is that in my original post I never even asked about engine oil!! I asked about everything else...lol

 

Please show me at what point I claimed to be an expert? Additionally you are judging my intelligence based one example I cited. I have personally owned 1 3rd 4Runner with 150k and 2 1st gen Tacoma’s all having the 3.4 motor. So clearly experience counts for nothing...which proved to me that changing the fluids (with certified ones) is more important than brand or type (meaning synthetic or conventional). I owned all those trucks before I realized the importance of changing and none of those drivetrains Gave me any sort of troubles. And I was wasn’t particularly easy on any of them. Please explain to me why internet recommendations are better than manufacturers recommendations (which I am ultimately suggesting here)?

A little off topic here but Husky Driver are you a school teacher or something similar?...seriously I mean no disrespect by that

 

Doesn't matter. People have their deeply guarded beliefs on which oil is best and they'll make damn well sure you know it.

The reality is that the best thing for your truck is an oil that is certified, in spec, and is approved for use in your Toyota. Change at Toyota recommended intervals. Don't get caught up on brand. Of course each brand is going to tout themselves as "the best". That's marketing.

 

I would change like you said ALL fluids...what if your previous owner (I'm assuming you bought it used) had it off road just once, crossed a creek and sucked water into ANY of the breathers. I have a hose to all my breathers (trans, transfer, diffs) and ran them up as high as I could...Yep...change all what you said on your first post (in my opinion) it doesn't costs that much and it doesn't take that much time. I would also check ALL the hoses...your 4 Runner isn't that old in comparison to my 85. I had a radiator hose split on the highway...had to have it towed. I replaced every hose in my 4 Runner after that for peace of mind...just a thought

 

You.

Or be a troll. With me, being a troll will get you compared to the Henderson family on The Ranch. ("Aww shiiiiit....FUCK the Hendersons!")

It's part of the fluids/lubricant family so it all gets lumped in. I've never been called a fanboy before... neat!

Sorry for being snarky. I actually replied to the troll's comment before yours, so you got residual attitude. I've been using AmsOil since the guy who taught me how to work on my own truck wayyy back when I was in high school in the 80s. AmsOil products meet & exceed the certifications of all production motor vehicles. So I guess that Nimby is right, I'm an AmsOil fanboy. Nope I'm not a school teacher, it's worse. I'm an introverted, occasionally pedantic Mensa member, micro-mechanic/watchmaker with no social life. I have no significant other due to me being tired of hearing the same line from multiple girlfriends... "All you care about is that g-d damned truck."

 

Not for nothing but I still feel you folks are way over thinking this differential thing. I'll (guess) 75% of 4Runner owners and a higher percentage of other SUVs never change their fluid or at best maybe do it as recommended in their manuals. I'd also be willing to (guess) theirs runs as long as most others. I've never heard of any vehicle failing prematurely because the diff fluid wasn't changed... This goes for the "average" driver and owner not the hard core off roader or tower.

 

I think you're right.

Not sure about 3rd gens, but on my 5th gen (2018), there isn't even a recommendation to change diffs, trans, or transfer case oils under normal use. They are considered lifetime oils.

I can tell you, I'm definitely not in a big hurry to run out and change them all at 30,000 miles. Once I get to 100,000 I'll re-evaluate my thoughts on the matter and if it makes me more comfortable to change them, I will. If I don't change them, I'm sure my truck will run just fine.

 

I resemble this comment.

Bought my '02 brand new. She still has the ORIGINAL:

Diff/Transfer case oil.
Brake Fluid.
Power Steering Fluid.

255,000 miles so far.

-Mike

 

My ambition as always with my friends or with men and women on this forum is only to help...I am not an authority although I have 50 years of experience in auto's, engines and machines...all, bar none need ample and clean lubrication to reduce friction and wear to last...dirty oil is nothing more than an abrasive, especially carbon from internal combustion, although I know your differentials and transfer case and transmission are safe...as long as they weren't driven in water...if you drive a Tesla with no combustion than you have no abrasives entering the system...but if you drive your Tesla in a creek you potentially have a chance for water in your lubricants...read how water affects the effectiveness of lubricants short term or long term...my 4 Runner has over 300,170 miles now...I changed all the lubricants when I first got it and it still running Great...maybe I didn't need to change all the lubricants...but I did...it wasn't worth the gamble in my opinion and experience. I am anal about maintenance...what if the older couple I bought my 4 Runner from are not like me...what if who you bought your 4 Runner is not like you...

 

Great answer, that is exactly the type of information that I am looking for. I myself am 50 and this is my first time owning a vehicle that is 4wd. So maintenance on the 4wd system is extremely important to me.

 

I hope I did help...for me in the scheme of things lubrication is cheap...why not spend a few bucks on making sure your new 4 Runner is up to what you feel is maintained. Once you change all the fluids you are set for a long time...unless you drive your 4 Runner through a creek...now the gamble starts again and you have to decide...did I just cross this creek for 30 seconds...or like me at times had to dig back and fourth for five minutes to get out of the loose gravel and possibly suck in some water...

 

I got a vacuum bleeder for the brakes. Makes life SO much easier. Just hook up an air hose and kick back, keep an eye on the reservoir....

 

By the way Russ...you probably have one of the most capable vehicles on the road and off. No one would dispute that a Toyota 4 Runner is anything but a work horse...they are incredible vehicles...I have a Japanese friend in Monterey California that told me in Japan they don't build vehicles like this with what you want..they build them for what you need...take care of it and my guess is you will have it for a long time!!! I personally call 4 Runners "Bullet proof"...I use the same term to my dentist (I'm a lab tech) when they want a crown that won't fail!!! It's not a term I use loosely either.

 

Can you explain a little on the air hose to bleed your brakes...my experience is to have my wife pump the brakes and hold and then pump them again and so on...the first time we had a little problem when she was pumping the clutch pedal...I love my wife!!!

 

Link?

 

Nice...thanks!!!