How To Maintain Your Modern Toyota and Lexus Properly

Summary

This video from the Carina channel offers expert maintenance tips for Toyota and Lexus vehicles in 2024. The host, a Toyota Master diagnostic technician, shares oil change intervals, spark plug and coolant replacement advice, and emphasizes the importance of using original parts and fluids. Special attention is given to hybrid vehicles, with specific guidance on transmission and inverter coolant changes. The video also stresses the value of annual professional inspections and the pitfalls of DIY modifications, ensuring viewers can keep their cars reliable and well-maintained.

Takeaways

• 🛠️ Regular oil changes are crucial for engine maintenance; non-turbo or hybrid cars should have oil changed every 5,000 miles or 6 months, while turbo engines require it every 3,000-4,000 miles or 3-4 months.
• 🔌 For spark plugs in modern Toyotas, most can last up to 120,000 miles or 10 years, but specific engines like the 3.5L V6 2GR-FKS and turbo engines have intervals of 60,000 miles and 40,000 miles, respectively.
• 🚰 Coolant replacement should be done every 50,000 miles or 5 years for 'pink' or 'super long life' coolant, and every 30,000 miles or 3 years for 'red' coolant in older models.
• 🌬️ Air filters should be replaced as needed based on cleanliness; if dirty at 5,000 miles, replace, but if clean at 30,000 miles, no need to replace.
• 🔄 Drive belts should be inspected for wear and replaced as needed, with no specific interval but signs of cracks or wear indicating replacement.
• 💨 The PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) valve should be replaced around 100,000 miles or more on non-turbo cars, and between 40,000 to 60,000 miles on turbo cars or specific engines.
• 🛢️ Transmission fluid in sealed (no dipstick) Toyota and Lexus vehicles should be changed every 6 years or 60,000 miles, while older models using T-IV fluid should be changed every 30,000 miles or 3 years.
• 🔄 For hybrid vehicles, the transmission fluid should be replaced every 60,000 to 90,000 miles or 6 to 9 years, with newer models using a specific 'eexo te' fluid that also requires replacement every 60,000 miles or 6 years.
• 🔧 Differential and transfer case fluids in 4WD and manual transmission vehicles should be replaced initially at 30,000 miles, then every 50,000 miles for light use or every 30,000 miles for heavy towing or off-roading.
• 💡 Brake fluid should be tested for moisture content rather than replaced at a set interval, with Lexus performance models suggesting a replacement around 30,000 miles.
• 🔄 Power steering fluid and AHC (Adaptive High Control) suspension fluid should be replaced around 50,000 miles and 60,000 miles respectively, with signs of degradation indicating earlier replacement.

Q & A

What is the recommended oil change interval for a non-turbo or hybrid Toyota or Lexus vehicle?

For non-turbo or hybrid vehicles, the recommended oil change interval is every 5,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first.

How often should you change the oil in a Toyota or Lexus with a turbo engine?

For turbo engines, it is recommended to change the oil every 3,000 to 4,000 miles or 3 to 4 months for optimal reliability and longevity.

What is the general spark plug replacement interval for modern Toyota vehicles?

Most modern Toyota vehicles can go up to 120,000 miles or 10 years without needing spark plug replacement. However, specific engines like the 3.5L V6 2GR-FKS have a different interval.

What is the spark plug replacement interval for the 3.5L V6 2GR-FKS engine found in Lexus and Toyota vehicles?

For the 3.5L V6 2GR-FKS engine, the spark plugs should be replaced every 60,000 miles due to observed wear beyond this interval.

How often should the coolant be replaced in Toyota and Lexus vehicles with pink or super long-life coolant?

The pink or super long-life coolant should be replaced every 50,000 miles or 5 years, whichever comes first.

What is the maintenance interval for air filters in Toyota and Lexus vehicles?

There is no fixed interval for air filters. They should be replaced if dirty, regardless of the mileage, and can be left unchanged if clean even after 30,000 miles.

When should the drive belt in a Toyota or Lexus vehicle be inspected for replacement?

The drive belt should be inspected for signs of wear or damage, and there is no specific mileage interval. It's condition-based maintenance.

What is the recommended maintenance interval for the PCV valve in Toyota and Lexus vehicles?

For most vehicles, it's not a bad idea to replace the PCV valve after reaching over 100,000 miles. For turbo cars or specific engines, it might be recommended between 40,000 to 60,000 miles.

How often should the transmission fluid be changed in a Toyota or Lexus vehicle with a sealed transmission?

For sealed transmissions using WS fluid, the fluid should be changed every 6 years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first.

What is the maintenance interval for hybrid transmissions in Toyota and Lexus vehicles?

Hybrid transmissions should have their fluid replaced between 60,000 to 90,000 miles, or every 6 to 9 years.

Why is it important to use original parts and fluids for maintenance in Toyota and Lexus vehicles?

Using original parts and fluids ensures the reliability and performance of the vehicle, as they are specifically designed and tested for Toyota and Lexus models.