Toyota Engine Maintenance

**Sigrid** · 05-22-2010, 09:17 AM

How do I maintain a good running Toyota engine? I own a Toyota Sienna, I do not know if that matters but how do I change oil and what oil should I use?

**5.7yotafan** · 05-22-2010, 02:12 PM

Best way to maintain is to do regular maintenance. The kind of oil you use is up to you, if the van is still fairly new and not leaking/using oil, I would go with synthetic oil but that does cost a bit more. Don't forget you have an entire fuel system that should be taken care of also, I use a can of sea-foam at every oil change and don't forget the fuel filter. You can check the owners manual for recommended service intervals. There's also the forgotten fluids like transmission that should be changed. As for how to change oil, it would be better if someone who has a similar vehicle can post pics of the drain plug and filter along with instructions, its very easy once you do it but its hard to explain without seeing where the filter is or the type it uses.

**Misprint** · 05-24-2010, 10:42 AM

I agree. You should take a look at a video or something to help you understand how it works. Explaining it on here is very difficult, good thing we have 7yotafan here because I would not have said it better if I gave instructions. Hope you find a pic or video I will try to find one myself and post it on here.

**Sigrid** · 05-24-2010, 10:45 AM

The van is fairly new. I am looking for synthetic oil prices now. I am completely clueless with this maintenance thing and I think I would need to do a review of the manual to make sure I am doing the right thing.

**Sigrid** · 05-24-2010, 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by Misprint

I agree. You should take a look at a video or something to help you understand how it works. Explaining it on here is very difficult, good thing we have 7yotafan here because I would not have said it better if I gave instructions. Hope you find a pic or video I will try to find one myself and post it on here.

Yes a video or a few pictures would surely help since I am not so good with cars. How do you post a video on here by the way? Just in case I find something that might be useful for other Toyota owners. Thanks in advance!

**Truckin** · 05-26-2010, 09:20 AM

I get a shop to do it, so you then have a record of the maintenance that you can pass on when you sell the vehicle. However, I always stop and look at the work before I leave the shop. Once I had someone take some parts of a dress-up kit off an engine and I was able to complain to the manager right then and there, I threatened to call the police and they gave me a refund of my money on the spot. That's besides the point however. You should know how to do this stuff because that's how you know what to do and to make certain that you don't get ripped off.

Watch videos like this and you will get the basics down pretty quickly.

**toyotafan** · 05-26-2010, 09:21 AM

I agree, it's good to learn the basics even if you will have someone else do the work. Double check from time to time too, because I've been told that I need work done before that I didn't and also that they couldn't get access to the tranny (which everyone else had been able to). Just be wise and willing to walk.

**Truckin** · 05-26-2010, 01:56 PM

That's true of a lot these days, it's sad but true. I don't have time to do my own maintenance, so when I find a good shop, dealer, etc. I go back there and I get to talk to the guys and get to know them. I ask if they have specials for frequent customers and i tell them that I like to get stuff done by the book, so they usually treat me right.

The end result? My rigs last longer, flat out. Pay me now, or pay me later! Usually paying now is cheaper too and you don't have to budget for it.

**1 bad tacoma** · 05-27-2010, 07:15 AM

I do all my maintance on my tacoma just for the simple fact the toyota lot where I live have some really dumbies working there. And when you do take it some where stay away from the jiffy lubes and places like that I have seen and heard horror stories about those kinds of places. And if you go to the dealer ship don't let them talk you into extra work either cause they will trust me. You could be like 5.7yotafan and come to my house use my tools and my labor to do the work lol. Its a good idea to learn how to change your own oil go to your local auto parts and ask them do they have a repair manual for your year/ model toyota they have really good info in them

**Sigrid** · 05-27-2010, 02:27 PM

Thank you so much for the advice. I watched the video lots of times and it seems I'm faring well with the engine maintenance thing. Regarding shops that try to rip you off, I usually just go with my brother and make him talk to the guys at the repair shop. I'm just his muscle most of the time haha. have a nice day you guys and thanks again.