Tundra -- newbie

[all4abuck]

I just picked up a Tundra 4x4 SR5 TRD Off-road DCab 2007. Took it to a Valvoline quick oil change place after 300 miles to clean out any initial break-in debris. They did not have a clue how to get to the filter and then did not have one to replace it with. Also, told me that there are no lube zerks and everyting is sealed.

First of, where can I get an oil filter for the tundra? Is this only carried by the dealer or do AutoZone and other places carry it?

For the off-road package do they need to take off the skid plates to get to the filter?

Also, I thought the drive shaft had zerks for lube

Is there a site where all the info on maintenance of this truck, such as location of all the zerks and recommended lube, is covered?

Any info on this will be greatly appreciated.

[eurohazard]

1) it's a cartridge filter (I think OEM is the only way to go currently)
2) Yes

Zerks:
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/sh....php?p=2057811

Oil change:
DIY: Oil Change w/ pics 5.7L

[4runnerracer]

Only Toyota and Wix makes these cartridge based filters and it might take a while before other filter manufacters catch up (fram or even amsoil if they make cartridge filters). You can find them at napa or at your local toyota dealer. Note, the Wix filter does not come with the plastic oil filter drain tool to drain the oil from the filter area.

Why don't you do it yourself (you probably found the DIY) or take it to the toyota dealer to have them do it.

[all4abuck]

Thanks for the info guys. I will probably do it myself. Need to check with the dealer about the price of the filter kit and see how it compares with if they do it themselves.

[nikita]

Im not a big fan of those "iffy" lube places. They convinced a friend with an older Tundra to get a synthetic rear axle fluid change. Because it has the off road package, the axle is limited slip. Toyota specifies a non-synthetic fluid plus additive. The thing started "chattering". The quick lubes do charts provided buy the bulk oil supplier, but dont even check those when trying to "upsell" extra cost services.

I'm a DIY'er so that I know it was done right. Yes, the skid plate should come off to change the filter. Every Toyota 4x4 Ive owned has had oil filter access problems.

[mhadden]

Originally Posted by nikita

...Every Toyota 4x4 Ive owned has had oil filter access problems.

Except the 4.0V6, but you probably haven't owned one with that engine...

Purolator supposedly makes a filter for the Tundra now too, but it costs $11 which is almost double of what the OEM filter costs.

[all4abuck]

I got this Tundra and cannot stop thinking of ways to spend money on it.

The Toyota dealer was trying to sell the 7 yrs 100K bumper-to-bumper warranty to me for about $1200. I have never heard of ne of these things actually paying off. Any suggestions on this?

Also, I just got the Truxedo Tonneau cover, and the full set of Husky floor mats. Now looking at Line-x spray-on bed liner, seat covers, Nerf bars or fold-away steps, bed extender, and side rail bars. I do a lot of duck/deer hunting and planning on carrying my ATV on the back. Figured bed liner and extender should work out good. But not sure if the flip-up bed extenders will work with the Tonneau setup. Might have to get a fold away type.

My old GMC Sierra without a bug-deflector was a gravel magnet. Not sure if this is the case with this truck.

Any suggestions on things to get for the truck that actually makes a difference.

[virg]

Originally Posted by all4abuck

The Toyota dealer was trying to sell the 7 yrs 100K bumper-to-bumper warranty to me for about $1200. I have never heard of ne of these things actually paying off. Any suggestions on this?

The only extended warranty I ever bought was for a 86 Buick LaSabre. It was an after market insurance company that warrentied the drive train for five years with no mileage limit. The car was a lemon. After two years and after the company put over $7000 dollars into it, they cancelled me and returned a portion of my premium. The 86 Olds '88' had the same problems (same front wheel drive train) the Buick did; transmissions and digital display issues.

Since I had many issues with the Buick zone dealer with honoring the warranty, I've never bought another GM car again. I switched to Fords and have had great luck with them (89 Mustang, 93 Crown Vic, 2002 Merc Gnd Mqs, and a 98 F150).

I really wanted another F150 with a new color they offered, but the dealer had none in stock and had trouble getting one. In the meantime I stopped by the Toyota dealer to test drive the Tundra with the 5.7L and well I couldn't resist that drive train. Bought one...but I still like the interior of the Fords better. But God...the way the Tundra drives is irresistable. Now if it's as reliable as the 98 150 was, I'll be satisfied. No...I didn't get the extended warranty either.

virg

[mhadden]

I hearted my Ford Focus, but for the most part, I think up until recently, Ford has had some pretty shitty interior designs, not to mention ergonomic issues...seriously, why was the rear window defroster by the headlight switch and not by or on the HVAC controls?

[eurohazard]

Originally Posted by all4abuck

The Toyota dealer was trying to sell the 7 yrs 100K bumper-to-bumper warranty to me for about $1200. I have never heard of ne of these things actually paying off. Any suggestions on this?

Here's what I wrote in an other thread: ....there's very little reason to buy any extended warranty at the time of purchase. There's no need to pad the dealership's pockets on the chance that your vehicle might break down after the original warranty is up. Sure many warranties are transferable, or are refundable....but they still hold a portion (usually called a administration fee of some sort). So again why pay tax on that warranty if there's a probability it won't be used.

The best time to buy an extended warranty is right before the factory warranty expires. I'll put it this way.......a dude says "I got a 6 year 60k mile warranty for $1,000". And in reality he got a 3 year 24k mile warranty for $1,000. The first 3 years and 36k miles were FREE already when you bought the vehicle.

I'm not trying to convince anyone one way or another...but it's something to think about.
______________
Basically anything can happen to that truck, heck you might not even own it 7 years or 100k miles later. I say it's better to just use the free factory warranty, and if decide that you want to keep the truck, buy the extended warranty before the 3yr/36k warranty expires.

[mhadden]

Originally Posted by eurohazard

...The best time to buy an extended warranty is right before the factory warranty expires. I'll put it this way.......a dude says "I got a 6 year 60k mile warranty for $1,000". And in reality he got a 3 year 24k mile warranty for $1,000. The first 3 years and 36k miles were FREE already when you bought the vehicle...

Exactly, and I think people miss this point when getting the extended warranty. Also, the dealership tries selling it for $1700 (or at least mine did). I told them to piss off!