Getting the most out of any vehicle certainly helps the family budget. Not having to replace the car, truck, or SUV the family uses the most means a lot of net savings from years of not having loan payments. Of course, not all vehicles last as long as others. If you're considering a Toyota Tundra, you are probably wondering how long this popular pickup truck can last your family. We researched the Toyota Tundra from numerous professional sources, so that you'll know exactly what to expect.
Under the right circumstances, you can expect a Toyota Tundra to last more than 300,000 road miles. Both the pickup truck itself and the engine under its hood are good for this mileage, provided each is properly maintained.
Now that we know how long a Toyota Tundra will last, we'll take a deep dive into how to get the most out of your pickup truck. You might also be wondering if the Toyota 5.7L engine is a good engine or if the Tundra has a V6. What problems do Tundras have? Are there any transmission issues? For the answers to these questions and more, read ahead in this post to see what our research has uncovered.
Keys to making your Tundra last longer
While nothing lasts forever, there isn't any reason why you shouldn't be able to expect to get upwards of 300k miles on your Toyota Tundra. Getting there doesn't just happen, however. You'll need to follow some solid tips to make this possible. From Consumer Reports, we gathered the most useful longevity tips for this post.
Follow regular maintenance schedules
Making certain that you perform routine maintenance on Toyota Tundra is critical to extending the pickup truck's useful life. The manufacturer has set a list of what should be inspected and when. This needs to be followed to a T.
It's more than just about changing your oil and oil filter every so many miles. Air and fuel filters need to be checked and changed as the schedule dictates. Tires need to be rotated. The timing belt or chain should be inspected at proper intervals to ensure that it is still functioning properly.
Not following the maintenance schedule will severely diminish the lifespan of your Tundra and create certain safety risks. When in doubt, refer to your Tundra's owner's manual, or ask a trusted local mechanic.
For a comprehensive look at Toyota Tundra's maintenance schedule, we found a full list provided by Car Edge.
Drive wisely
Stop-and-go driving will wear out parts a lot faster than highway driving. And aggressive highway driving is notorious for putting unnecessary strain on your drivetrain, brakes, and suspension system. So be mindful of how you operate your Tundra on the road.
It's also important to drive with the weight limits of your Tundra in mind. Paying attention and adhering to payload capacities and towing maximums are really important.
Too much weight can really limit the life of your engine and transmission, as well as place you and your family in harm's way. These weight limits can be found in your owner's manual from Toyota.
Use quality parts
Replacing parts is a fact of vehicle ownership. Parts, just like the vehicles themselves, come at different levels of quality. Not to say that you need the most expensive parts on the market to get the best ones, but be mindful of consumer reviews on the ones that you do buy.
This applies to fluids as well. Oil, radiator fluid, and other vital fluids your Tundra needs to stay on the road are also of varying quality. Pay attention to what is available to you, and read the reviews so that you can make a more well-rounded decision.
Watch for warning signs
Stop, look, and listen to your Tundra. While routine maintenance is helpful, odds are you will encounter issues from time to time that need to be addressed in between maintenance sessions. Get any peculiar noises checked out as soon as possible. If something smells different from under your hood, it's worth taking it in to see a trusted mechanic.
Sometimes, things happen while we drive that will impact the moving parts of our vehicles. Hitting a road hazard can lead to suspension, wheel, or tire issues. Severe climate changes can cause undue wear to belts and other moving parts. So be mindful of the conditions that you drive in, as well as the wear that your Tundra might unexpectedly take on the road.
Is the Toyota 5.7 a good engine?
According to Motor Reviewer, this engine is the most reliable of its class. Manufactured by Toyota, it has extreme reliability and is a favorite among consumers.
Motor Reviewer does point out a couple of caveats with this engine, however. It tends to burn oil hotter than average, leading to oil levels dropping before they should. To avoid this, you'll want to ensure that you are always using a high-quality motor oil and regularly checking your oil levels on higher mileage Tundras.
Does the Toyota Tundra come in a V6 engine?
Toyota announced that its 2022 models will be available with V6 engines. According to their press release, "A new, highly efficient twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine offers impressive output by itself, producing up to 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft. of torque."
What year Tundra should I avoid?
Toyota has had a solid reputation for model reliability for decades. The Tundra model is no exception to this. But while most model year Tundras have had exceptional reviews by consumers, there have been two years in particular that Motor Biscuit has recommended avoiding.
The 2007 Toyota Tundra had the most engine complaints of any model year. The most common complaint was the engine induction pump, which was prone to failing at low mileage.
But the 2012 Toyota Tundra was by far the worst model year. This Tundra had the most maintenance costs associated with it, at a whopping $3,150 USD. While this model year had the same air induction pump failures as the 2007 Tundras, it also experienced transmission failures in many trucks that had less than 10k miles on them.
What problems do Toyota Tundras have?
Aside from the issues the 2007 and 2012 Tundra models experienced, consumers don't report many serious issues with this popular pickup truck. The ones that have been brought to light have been lower ball joint wear and exhaust manifold failures. While these issues need to be addressed, they weren't very common.
Many problems with your Tundra, or any other vehicle, can be avoided with routine maintenance. As we pointed out earlier in this post, it's also important to pay close attention to the sounds and smells your vehicle emits, as they can be indicators of problems on the horizon. It's best to address these issues promptly before they lead to bigger and more expensive problems.
Do Toyota Tundras have transmission problems?
The 2012 model Tundra experienced some substantial problems with its transmission. Many of these trucks would have their transmissions fail at less than 10k miles, as a serious defect. The 2007 model also experienced some transmission issues, though not as widespread as their 2012 counterparts.
Overall, however, the transmissions for the Tundra have been performing solidly. As with any part of your vehicle, the transmission should be routinely inspected and maintained to maintain its functioning for the longest amount of time possible.
Is the new Tundra a hybrid?
For the model year 2022, Toyota has shed its V8 in exchange for a supercharged V6 engine. For those who are interested in hybrid vehicles, the 2022 Tundra will be available with a hybrid powertrain option.
The new models have a 10-speed transmission and are still capable of towing up to 12,000 pounds of cargo. In addition, the 2022 Tundra has nearly 2,000 pounds of payload capacity, making it possible to cart around a full work crew in its spacious cab, all the while moving a lot of weight in the bed of the truck.
In Closing
If you found this post on the Toyota Tundra to be helpful, we believe you'll enjoy reading the following posts on this popular pickup truck:
Taking Your Toyota Tundra Off Road? Here’s What You Need to Know