Preventative maintenance is essential to prolong the functionality and performance of a Toyota vehicle. Driving a well-maintained car, truck, or SUV has its recognizable perks, including peace of mind, cost savings, and long-time value.
Want to ensure you can rely on your vehicle to get you anywhere and everywhere for years to come? Avoid potential problems down the road with continual care and attention. Here are a few automotive preventative maintenance tips for your Toyota 4Runner.
Be Proactive: Consistent Oil and Fluid Changes
Nothing is more pivotal to proactively maintaining your Toyota’s well-being than an oil change. A good oil change keeps the engine—the pumping heart of the vehicle—working at its best. The engine contains various moving parts that need this motor oil to do their job. Yet, many drivers do not follow through with this regular upkeep task. Driving vehicles with dirty or low oil may overheat the engine and warp vital parts.
Scheduled oil and filter changes ensure proper engine lubrication, reduce engine wear and build-up, cool engine components, and improve gas mileage. Aim to change your Toyota’s engine oil consistently, around every 12 months or so. Actual mileage depends on the manufacturing year of your 4Runner. Don’t forget about fluids—double-check whether your transmission fluid, wiper fluid, and power steering fluid are up to the fill line every few months.
Target the Tires: Proper Rotation and Pressure
The tires on your SUV inevitably wear down over time. Keep in mind that front tires wear more quickly than back ones. For this reason, rotating your tires about twice a year is a top preventative maintenance tip for your Toyota 4Runner. A tire rotation removes, swaps, and remounts the back and front tires. This maintenance technique ensures all four tires wear down evenly at the same rate.
Remember to maintain proper tire pressure for safety and efficiency. Tire deflation can significantly affect vehicle handling, change riding comfort, and prevent further wear and tear. Most vehicle models made between 2008 and today have a tire-pressure monitoring system that turns on a warning light. You can check and read psi levels yourself with a handheld gauge.
Get Regular Inspections: Comprehensive Health Checkups
As the years go by, any component of your 4Runner is subject to damage. Ergo, regular inspections performed by professional mechanics are the key to maintaining vehicle health long-term. While preventative maintenance checkups may not be convenient, their advantages outweigh any momentary inconveniences from bringing your SUV into the shop. You'll become aware of current and potential problems and have the opportunity to find any parts you need as quickly as possible.
YotaShop.com carries a top-quality selection of Toyota 4Runner parts and accessories to maintain the functionality of your vehicle. As fellow Toyota enthusiasts, we have everything you need in our parts catalog to preserve the optimal health of your 4Runner. Browse our selection by your model year today.