Toyota 4Runner 5th Gen (2010–2024) Maintenance Schedule
This is the maintenance schedule for the fifth-generation Toyota 4Runner, covering the 2010–2024 model years. It applies to US-market models with the 4.0-litre 1GR-FE V6, five-speed automatic transmission, and either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.
Toyota sold this generation for 15 model years. The core schedule stayed consistent, but this page now uses the final 2024 Warranty & Maintenance Guide as the main source.
The sixth-generation 4Runner replaced it for 2025 with turbocharged i-FORCE and i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrains. Those models need a separate maintenance guide.
Updates
- August 2026: closed the model-year range at 2010–2024 and removed references to this as the current 4Runner.
- Checked normal, off-road, dirt-road, towing, heavy-load, propeller-shaft, differential, transfer-case, coolant, and spark-plug tasks against Toyota’s 2024 guide.
- Removed the unsupported fixed brake-fluid replacement interval; Toyota calls for checking its level and condition.
This site has links for things like oil and spark plugs from which we earn a commission (which unfortunately nobody can save, not even us). If you appreciate this work, then please use those links. Thanks!
Toyota 4Runner service intervals
Toyota schedules maintenance every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or six months. Under normal use, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or 12 months when you use the specified oil.
Use the 5,000-mile (8,000 km) oil interval if most of your driving involves dirt or dusty roads, towing or heavy loading, repeated short trips below 0°C (32°F), or extensive idling and low-speed work. Four-wheel-drive models also need regular propeller-shaft lubrication and bolt re-torque.
After driving through deep sand, mud, or water, Toyota calls for daily checks of the brakes, steering, driveline, differential and transfer-case oil, transmission fluid, air filter, and chassis fasteners. Lubricate the propeller shaft after this kind of use.
Parts and fluids for the fifth-generation Toyota 4Runner
These are the main fluids and consumables specified for the 2010–2024 4Runner. Confirm the part number against your VIN before ordering because Toyota superseded some service parts during this long production run.
| Part | Toyota 4Runner 5th gen spec |
|---|---|
| Coolant | Use Toyota Super Long Life Coolant or a similar high-quality non-silicate, non-amine, non-borate ethylene-glycol coolant with long-life hybrid organic acid technology. |
| Oil | Use Toyota 0W-20 engine oil, or another high-quality 0W-20 motor oil. |
| Oil filter | The commonly specified cartridge filter is Toyota 04152-YZZA5; confirm against the VIN |
| Spark plugs | The manual specifies an iridium-tipped Denso SK16HR11 spark plug. Don’t adjust the gap. |
| Auto transmission fluid | Use Toyota Genuine ATF WS fluid. |
| Front and Rear Differential Oil | For the front and rear differentials, use Toyota Genuine Differential gear oil LT 75W-85 GL-5 or equivalent. |
| Transfer case oil (4WD models) | Use Toyota transfer case oil LF or equivalent, with SAE 75W viscosity. |
| Brake fluid | Use SAE J1703 or FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 brake fluid, e.g. Valvoline DOT 3 & 4 brake fluid which meets this spec. |
| Grease | Use lithium soap-based grease to grease the propeller shaft spiders and slide yokes, and molybdenum disulfide grease for the double cardan joint. |
Toyota 4Runner fifth-generation maintenance schedule
This table condenses Toyota’s checklists into a repeating 30,000-mile (48,000 km), 36-month pattern. Follow whichever limit comes first.
The letters mark work required only when most driving occurs under the stated condition. Toyota still requires the regular 5,000-mile inspection even when an oil change is not due.
- ✓: perform the service.
- D: dirt or dusty-road use.
- T: towing, using a car-top carrier, or heavy vehicle loading.
- F: repeated trips under five miles in temperatures below 0°C (32°F).
- L: extensive idling or low-speed driving, including taxi, police, or delivery work.
Toyota does not set a fixed brake-fluid replacement interval in the US guide. Check its level and condition with the other fluids and replace it when testing or condition calls for it.
| mi x 1000 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| months | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 | 36 |
| Replace engine oil (Reset reminder light if possible) | D,T,F,L | ✓ | D,T,F,L | ✓ | D,T,F,L | ✓ |
| Replace oil filter | D,T,F,L | ✓ | D,T,F,L | ✓ | D,T,F,L | ✓ |
| Inspect ball joints / dust covers for looseness or damage. Replace if necessary. | D | D | ✓ | D | D | ✓ |
| Inspect drive shaft boots (4WD) | D | D | ✓ | D | D | ✓ |
| Inspect engine air filter | D | D | D | D | D | – |
| Replace engine air filter | – | – | – | – | – | ✓ |
| Inspect cabin air filter | – | – | ✓ | – | – | – |
| Replace cabin air filter | – | – | – | – | – | ✓ |
| Inspect steering linkage & boots | D | D | ✓ | D | D | ✓ |
| Lubricate propeller shaft | D,T | D,T | ✓ | D,T | D,T | ✓ |
| Re-torque propeller shaft bolt | D,T | D,T | ✓ | D,T | D,T | ✓ |
| Tighten nuts and bolts on chassis and body | D,T | D,T | D,T | D,T | D,T | D,T |
| Inspect drive belts for cracks, wear, or oiliness. Replace if necessary. (See below for infrequent service notes) | – | – | – | – | – | ✓ |
| Inspect brake lines and hoses for chafing, cracks, or damage. Replace if necessary | – | – | ✓ | – | – | ✓ |
| Inspect fuel lines and connections, fuel tank, and fuel tank vapor vent hoses | – | – | – | – | – | ✓ |
| Inspect fuel tank cap gasket | – | – | – | – | – | ✓ |
| Inspect engine coolant | – | – | ✓ | – | – | ✓ |
| Inspect exhaust pipes and mountings | – | – | ✓ | – | – | ✓ |
| Inspect front differential oil (4WD), replace if necessary | – | – | ✓ | – | – | ✓ |
| Replace front differential oil (4WD) | – | – | T | – | – | T |
| Inspect rear differential oil, replace if necessary | – | – | ✓ | – | – | ✓ |
| Replace rear differential oil | – | – | T | – | – | T |
| Inspect automatic transmission fluid and for signs of leakage See below for replacement notes | – | – | – | – | – | ✓ |
| Inspect transfer case oil | – | – | – | – | – | ✓ |
| Replace transfer case oil (4WD) | – | – | – | – | – | D,T |
| Inspect fuel lines and connections, tank band, and vapor vent hoses | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Inspect fuel tank cap gasket | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Inspect radiator and condenser | – | – | ✓ | – | – | ✓ |
| Inspect steering gear box | – | – | ✓ | – | – | ✓ |
| Inspect and adjust all fluid levels – Sealed transmissions – Transfer cases – Differentials – Power steering – Engine and inverter (if equipped) coolant | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rotate tyres | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Check wiper blades | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Check installation of driver’s floor mat | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Check brake pads / discs | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Long-term and severe-use service
These items fall outside the repeating 30,000-mile table or apply only under sustained severe use.
| Service item | Interval or condition |
|---|---|
| Inspect drive belts | First at 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 72 months; then every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) or 18 months |
| Replace engine coolant | First at 100,000 miles (160,000 km) or 120 months; then every 50,000 miles (80,000 km) or 60 months |
| Replace spark plugs | 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 144 months |
| Replace automatic-transmission fluid | At 60,000-mile (96,000 km) intervals when the vehicle is used mainly for towing, a car-top carrier, or heavy loading |
| Replace front and rear differential oil | Every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) under sustained towing, car-top-carrier, or heavy-load use |
| Replace transfer-case oil on 4WD models | Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) under sustained dirt-road or dusty-road use, towing, car-top-carrier, or heavy-load use |
About the 2010–2024 Toyota 4Runner
The fifth-generation 4Runner uses a body-on-frame chassis and a 4.0-litre 1GR-FE V6 with dual VVT-i. The engine produces 201 kW (270 hp) and 377 Nm (278 lb-ft), sent through a five-speed automatic transmission.
Toyota sold rear-wheel-drive, part-time four-wheel-drive, and Limited models with full-time four-wheel drive. The schedule therefore includes 4WD-only work for the front differential, transfer case, propeller shaft, and drive-shaft boots.
The 2014 facelift changed the bodywork, while later updates added driver-assistance and infotainment equipment. The engine, transmission, and core maintenance requirements stayed largely consistent through the final 2024 model year.
The 2025 sixth-generation 4Runner uses the 2.4-litre turbocharged i-FORCE engine, with an i-FORCE MAX hybrid option. Do not use this fifth-generation schedule for either new powertrain. Use Toyota’s 2025 4Runner manuals until the dedicated sixth-generation guide is published.
Manual sources for the 2010–2024 Toyota 4Runner
The schedule above was checked against Toyota’s official 2024 4Runner Warranty & Maintenance Guide, especially the maintenance checklists on pages 38–53 and the explanations on pages 54–57.
The screenshots below are from an earlier fifth-generation Toyota maintenance guide and show the checklist format. The linked 2024 guide is the controlling source for the final model year.
Toyota also keeps model-year manuals in its 4Runner manual library.
Thanks. This is very helpful and handy information.
it shows here to never replace diff fluid unless you tow, this is stupid.
That would definitely be stupid! But to be clear, the schedule just means *mandatory* replacement if you tow, otherwise inspection and replacement if necessary. I clarified that in the version I published.