General maintenance recommended?

My 2014 4Runner has 157,000 miles, I've never done anything except brakes, tires, rotors. My local garage says all is good, but I drive into the woods for backcountry camping, and I don't want to break down. Is there anything I should do preventative maintenance-wise? Thnx 4 any advice.

 

B4 you do anything, with that mileage and missed service intervals, it would be wise to watch as many of this fellows videos as possible. It'll likely save you BIG headaches.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEKt2bUDBoRUw3wpPpDOUaA
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OK thank you. I get the oil changed every 4-5k miles, they inspect the vehicle. I asked if it needs new spark plugs, tranny fluid changed, etc., but garage always says no.

 

I dunno I'd be changing plugs at 157k

 

Assuming nothing has been done and you didn’t buy it from anyone else?

Change all the fluids.

And I mean all the fluids.

You also probably need new spark plugs.

 

+1 on all of the fluids. Add in brake fluid and power steering fluid flush to the rest, too. Also along with your oil changes the shop has had the wherewithal to change engine and cabin air filters?
Grease your propeller shafts, and any other zerks you might find on your chassis. Check all of your rubber boots for tears or leaking grease: inner and outer CVs, LCA ball joint, UCA ball joint, steering tie rod ends.

 

I’m a bit unclear… Have you had the oil changed regularly? Or has it gone 157k miles without?

 

Yes, I think when you say all fluids people forget that you need to change the power steering and brake fluid because they tend to break down and potentially get contaminated with water.

And the coolant should’ve been flushed a while back, even if it’s still pink.

 

Not that it pertains to this situation but, did you know?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz9zbKtyZ8g

 

157,000 miles with just regular minor maintenance. The Mighty 4Runner

 

Hey, thanks for all the advice. I've changed the oil regularly at my local garage - quality place. They check all the fluids at every oil change (4x per year, I'm averaging 20k miles per year). Iv'e asked them what else to do, and they said nothing, its in good shape (really is a quality place - well known). I also took it to the Toyota dealer in 2019 for a recall replacement of something, and I asked them what needs done for preventative maintenance. They also said nothing, all is good. But that was at about 130k miles. Despite many trips into the woods and a couple of cracked skid plates, I the good care of it. My son is driving my 2001 4Runner, still runs great.

 

Somewhat confused. You got advice but rebutted the advice due to your mechanic saying you don’t need anything.

so why ask for advice when you had no plans to take the advice you asked for?

 

and doesn't want it to break down.....

 

Thanks. An interesting phenomenon. Here’s some additional info if you read too high of a voltage.
Mine was 0.05V.
http://sancarlosradiator.com/VoltageDrop/testing_for_electrolysis.htm

 

Always learning. Thanks

 

Thanks for all the good advice. I scheduled to have spark plugs replaced, all fluids replaced, and the garage is going to carefully inspect the balls joints, boots, etc.
Then we are going to do the same for the 2001 4Runner. It still has it's original spark plugs!

I don't know why my garage, and the dealer, have not been proactive with changing plugs and fluids.
Garage records show they check and top off fluids, and inspect hoses, clamps, etc. at every oil change and yearly (PA) inspection.
It just seems odd to not have anything else need done so far - combo of luck and hey its a 4Runner!

 

While it's there having that work done, have them clean the Throttle Body and check the drive belt.

 

they don’t mess with that stuff because chances of you keeping it long enough to break is statistically low. People just don’t keep vehicles long enough anymore, and the stuff that will cause issues (like tranny fluid) won’t show up for a LONG time. I know plenty of people with 200k+ and zero issues. All with just oil changes and brake pad changes.

if you are gonna drive it into the ground, get fluids and plugs into the routine. I drive A LOT (about 5k miles a month) and it’s all freeway miles, so I do all fluids in 100k mile intervals (other than oil, which I do at 10k mile intervals).

take driving into consideration and go from there. And see if you can’t dig up the maintenance schedule booklet online for your year and take a look at what they suggest. There should be a PDF somewhere out there.

good luck