So my in laws just purchased a 2013 highlander and are giving my wife and myself their 2002 highlander, it's the I4 2.4L fwd highlander it's got about 160k miles, no leaks, not sure if it consumes oil or not. It's had all its services performed on time (for the most part) at a jiffy lube type garage with what ever conventional bulk oil they used, not sure of the brand, any how what oil and filter do you guys recommend I use and at what intervals, maybe 5000 miles with pyb or penzoil synthetic? Maybe a hm? What about oil filter? wix or p1? Help me out guys…
2.4L Toyota highlander
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How about some 5-30 every 5000 miles? Mine doesn't seem to care much about which brand. I prefer the Purolators, IIRC is L14477.
I'd probably be more concerned with flushing the cooling system and drain/fill the transmission. Otherwise it's a pretty basic no frills vehicle, ours hasn't had any problems besides the heater knob which was a 20 minute diy solder job, pretty common on these.
I'd probably be more concerned with flushing the cooling system and drain/fill the transmission. Otherwise it's a pretty basic no frills vehicle, ours hasn't had any problems besides the heater knob which was a 20 minute diy solder job, pretty common on these.
Check if it has a "next oil change" sticker on the windshield and figure out how many miles are on the current oil and check the level...assuming the shop filled it correctly you can see if its consuming any oil.
My girlfriend has almost the same vehicle, it's a 2003 with the same engine and also has 160K miles. I have been doing her oil changes for the past several years. I was using PP and PU 5W-30, however, it did seem to have some consumption. I added about a half quart twice during the 10,000 mile OCI's. I use either a Wix (Napa) gold or Fram Ultra filter, but I'm not as hung up on filters as others on this forum. I believe the consumption issue is related to valve stems so I am running an OCI with M1 0W-40 to see if that slows it down.
I did change her ATF and filter a couple of years ago and found everything pretty darn clean. I cannot remember if it had a drain plug, but if it does I would only do a simple D&F. I used M1 synthetic ATF.
My conservative approach is often overridden on BITOG, though. Most are not in favor of 10K OCI's. I did that for many years on my 89 Honda, 93 Escort, 99 Oasis, and 99 I30. I changed the valve cover gasket on the Highlander last year and everything under it was plenty clean. No sense changing the oil more often than needed.
I did change her ATF and filter a couple of years ago and found everything pretty darn clean. I cannot remember if it had a drain plug, but if it does I would only do a simple D&F. I used M1 synthetic ATF.
My conservative approach is often overridden on BITOG, though. Most are not in favor of 10K OCI's. I did that for many years on my 89 Honda, 93 Escort, 99 Oasis, and 99 I30. I changed the valve cover gasket on the Highlander last year and everything under it was plenty clean. No sense changing the oil more often than needed.
Originally Posted By: DBMaster
My girlfriend has almost the same vehicle, it's a 2003 with the same engine and also has 160K miles. I have been doing her oil changes for the past several years. I was using PP and PU 5W-30, however, it did seem to have some consumption.
I added about a half quart twice during the 10,000 mile OCI's. I use either a Wix (Napa) gold or Fram Ultra filter, but I'm not as hung up on filters as others on this forum. I believe the consumption issue is related to valve stems so I am running an OCI with M1 0W-40 to see if that slows it down.
Can adding 1/2 quart per 5k miles really be considered a "consumption issue?" I don't think so...but that's just me...none of my 12 cars got to 5k without adding a half-quart...that's been the norm for me over the nearly 1 million miles they took me. The Kitacam's L2.4 just went 5,600 miles from "F" to "L" on the dipstick...at which time I just changed it.
My girlfriend has almost the same vehicle, it's a 2003 with the same engine and also has 160K miles. I have been doing her oil changes for the past several years. I was using PP and PU 5W-30, however, it did seem to have some consumption.
I added about a half quart twice during the 10,000 mile OCI's. I use either a Wix (Napa) gold or Fram Ultra filter, but I'm not as hung up on filters as others on this forum. I believe the consumption issue is related to valve stems so I am running an OCI with M1 0W-40 to see if that slows it down.
Can adding 1/2 quart per 5k miles really be considered a "consumption issue?" I don't think so...but that's just me...none of my 12 cars got to 5k without adding a half-quart...that's been the norm for me over the nearly 1 million miles they took me. The Kitacam's L2.4 just went 5,600 miles from "F" to "L" on the dipstick...at which time I just changed it.
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^I guess "issue" wasn't the best word because, yes, that is not abnormal, especially for a car with 160,000 miles. The only issue is remembering to check the oil periodically since we do not live together. LOL. My 89 Accord required make up oil from the day it was new. I would use about a quart of 10W-30 every 2-3K miles. Still not bad for an engine known for valve stem/seal leaks. I slowed it considerably with 5W-40 Rotella synthetic. I have used only synthetic oils since 1989.
Ok, so I just drove the highlander from my in-laws house (600 miles) to mine, its in great shape, very smooth ride! The transmission and engine are both original. To make a correction on my original post it has 175k miles, its a sweet ride I'm very great full. Any ways, the trans fluid has never been changed, its black! The trans however does function correctly and has absolutely no problems. I did notice that it has a drain plug on the trans pan. I was thinking about draining and refilling the trans maybe once a month until it has mostly fresh pink ATF. What do you guys think? good idea? Or bad idea? Should I just leave the trans alone? Will fresh fluid harm my tranny?
I have so far changed the oil and filter with m1 hm in the flavor of 5w30 with a wix oil filter, and the air filter as well (wix).
Luckily it has a timing chain and not a timing belt! Spark plugs and brakes were changed about 25k miles ago, only things that have been neglected are coolant and trans fluid. Once agian help me out guys…
I have so far changed the oil and filter with m1 hm in the flavor of 5w30 with a wix oil filter, and the air filter as well (wix).
Luckily it has a timing chain and not a timing belt! Spark plugs and brakes were changed about 25k miles ago, only things that have been neglected are coolant and trans fluid. Once agian help me out guys…
You're going to get people telling you since the car is considered "high mileage" you should not touch the transmission or it will immediately disassemble.
Really, your plan for doing monthly drain & fills is just about perfect. The only change I would make would be to do 2 back-to-back drain & fills right off the bat, then stretch them out a bit. Do one d&f, drive it around the block to thoroughly mix the fluid, then do another. This will get a good percentage of the old fluid out. Do another d&f monthly until the fluid is nice and pink again, then every 30,000 miles and your car will thank you.
I do recommend you use OEM fluid, but that's just me. Others will tell you M1 or MaxLife. Meh.
Really, your plan for doing monthly drain & fills is just about perfect. The only change I would make would be to do 2 back-to-back drain & fills right off the bat, then stretch them out a bit. Do one d&f, drive it around the block to thoroughly mix the fluid, then do another. This will get a good percentage of the old fluid out. Do another d&f monthly until the fluid is nice and pink again, then every 30,000 miles and your car will thank you.
I do recommend you use OEM fluid, but that's just me. Others will tell you M1 or MaxLife. Meh.
Doing drain/fills sounds like a solid plan. I have never seen a tranny nuke from a flush with high miles, but have heard from a few friends who work at a local dealership.
The trans in my truck was untouched until 125k miles, and had been used exclusively as a work truck towing skid steers and dump trailers around. The fluid was BLACK. I have been doing partial drains and refills ever 2k miles and have noticed a decent change. Shifts are more firm and seems to have less shutter entering OD.
The trans in my truck was untouched until 125k miles, and had been used exclusively as a work truck towing skid steers and dump trailers around. The fluid was BLACK. I have been doing partial drains and refills ever 2k miles and have noticed a decent change. Shifts are more firm and seems to have less shutter entering OD.
Fyi if the transmission drain plug is a 14mm plug, be very careful with it as the threads in the pan are quite weak. I think the torque spec is like 14 ft-lbs. I tightened it "normally" on my dad's van multiple times and ultimately had to replace the transmission pan during the most recent service.
I'd use a 1/4" ratchet and a new crush washer each time, to snug it up...
I'd use a 1/4" ratchet and a new crush washer each time, to snug it up...
Do a drain and fill of the fluid. No need to drain and fill every month. Do it yearly and do a gradual cleanup. Is the ATF on that model year considered lifetime? Change the coolant. Im jealous..id love a free highlander regardless of the shape..love to have one for winter.
I wish I could remember if I replaced the washer on my GF's Highlander. I know it sounds odd, but on my old Honda I didn't have a new washer around the first time I did a D&F and reused the old one. Perhaps, because it seats against the aluminum case and not a steel pan I never had a drip, even after twenty years and ten D&F's. I probably used one of the nylon washers I had lying around for the Highlander. Since I did the D&F I have read about how this vehicle is, more or less, a lifetime fill and how you should only use Toyota ATF. I had such good luck with M1 ATF over the years I just used it. Currently, I think the best thing to use is OEM fluid because they do seem to be pretty proprietary since around 2000. I would be conservative. If it were me, I would do a single D&F and then just go the a 30,000 mile schedule. But, the OCD transmission maintenance people here will probably tell you otherwise. My personal experiences speak for themselves, but of course, they are personal experiences.
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