How to Choose the Oil and Fluids for a Toyota Tundra

The Toyota Tundra was Toyota's first full-size truck offering and offered both a V6 and a muscular V8 engine to appeal to the American market. These steps apply to all model years of the Toyota Tundra, from 2000 to present. Note that the Toyota Tundra specifications for engine oil and brake fluid are somewhat different from those of other trucks.

Instructions

1

Change your engine oil at regularly scheduled intervals. While most truck manufacturers recommend 10W30 viscosity engine oil in their vehicles, Toyota recommends 5W20 in the Tundra and this isn't unusual for newer vehicles because of the tight tolerances; a thinner oil is needed to fully lubricate the engine. If you're running an older vehicle or one with high mileage and engine wear, you may wish to use 5W30 or even 10W30 engine oil in your Toyota Tundra.

2

Check the transmission dipstick for the recommended type of transmission fluid in your Toyota Tundra. Most Tundras should use DEXRON-III transmission fluid.

3

Top off your brake fluid reservoir as necessary with DOT 3 brake fluid. This differs somewhat from other trucks, which typically use DOT 4.

4

Refill your power steering fluid levels with DEXRON-III automatic transmission fluid as necessary. Using synthetic power steering fluid extends the life of the power steering fluid.

5

Use synthetic 75W90 or 80W90 GL-5 gear oil to lubricant the rear axle of your Toyota Tundra. If you have a limited slip differential, you should verify that the oil you're using contains the proper limited slip additive. If this isn't the case, you should provide the additive yourself.