Toyota trucks and SUVs are built to last, but they're not maintenance-free. If you run a Tundra, 4Runner, Tacoma, or Sequoia hard — towing, off-road, loaded trips — spring is the right time to go through the drivetrain before you put serious miles on it for the season. Here's the checklist I run on Toyota body-on-frame trucks every spring. Check level and condition via the fill plug with the transmission at operating temperature. Toyota WS in good condition is a clear, slightly red-tinted fluid. Dark brown or black means a service is overdue. On a Tundra or Tacoma that's been towing, treat 40,000 miles as your hard interval — not 60,000. Do a drain-and-fill with fresh Toyota WS before towing season starts.
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Toyota WS ATF
SearchThe spring fluid service essential for every WS-specified Toyota truck. Required for the AB60E Tundra, A750F Tacoma/4Runner, and U660E platforms. Pick up 5 quarts for a Tundra service, 4 quarts for a Tacoma or 4Runner. Service before towing season — not after your first hard pull.
Check Prices & ReviewsBlueDriver Bluetooth OBD2 Scanner
$89.95Run a full spring scan on your Toyota truck before hooking up the trailer. Reads Toyota-enhanced transmission and transfer case codes, plus live TFT data. Knowing your transmission is running clean and cool before a summer of towing is basic due diligence. The BlueDriver gives you that data in 10 minutes.
Check Prices & ReviewsNOCO GB40 Jump Starter
$99.95Keep one in the Tundra or 4Runner. Spring battery failures are common after a hard winter, and a dead battery in a remote location with a trailer behind you is a bad day. The GB40 handles gas engines up to 6L, is small enough to fit in the center console storage, and recharges from a standard 12V outlet between uses.
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