Preventative care for low-mileage Tacoma?

[jschulte]

I have a 2003 V6 4x4 xtra cab SR5 Tacoma. 16" alloy wheels. Just about everything is factory-stock on the truck. I did add a receiver hitch and Line-X bedliner.

We use it as a second vehicle and it usually is only driven once every week or two about 20-40 miles. Occasional trips of 100-750 miles to move or tow things. I don't let it sit longer than two weeks and make a point of running the A/C and using the 4WD (on a dirt road) to keep it exercised each time I run the truck.

The first year we put 18k miles on it, but now use cars for almost all our driving. Currently the truck has 30,500 on it. Just got the normal 30k service done at the dealer at about the 3-year mark. Probably putting on about 5000 miles a year. I usually go up to 6 months between oil changes due to the low miles. Sometimes I get the oil done at less than 3k if it's been a long time since the last change.

My question is what things should I be doing in, addition to the regular maintenance, to prevent problems from the infrequent use of the truck? I want it to last 20 years if possible. Certainly mileage won't be the death of it, so I'm wondering what will be. No problems with the truck at all yet.

I live in Vermont, so there are some extremes of weather...especially in the winter. I've oil undercoated a couple of times and keep the truck waxed to protect the paint. There is some surface rust on the underbody, but less than is common here in the northeast USA. I'm also considering undercoating (at least some places) with a heavy bearing grease instead of regular used motor oil. I've tried test patches of it and the heavy grease lasts a lot longer. Anyone try that?

Any suggestions to increase the longevity would be appreciated.

[qk94dawg]

Store it out of the elements?

[jschulte]

Store it out of the elements?

Yeah...I wish! I don't have a garage at the moment, but I did get one of those vehicle covers made of a breathable material. It fits over the entire truck and stays in place with an elastic band around the edge. That keeps tree gum, dirt/dust, bugs, etc., off it while it's in the driveway. Also keeps snow/ice off it in the winter. Not as good as a garage, but can't hurt. Water does go through it since the cover isn't air or watertight, but the truck dries quickly underneath after it stops raining.

[tguil]

Originally Posted by jschulte

Yeah...I wish! I don't have a garage at the moment, but I did get one of those vehicle covers made of a breathable material. It fits over the entire truck and stays in place with an elastic band around the edge. That keeps tree gum, dirt/dust, bugs, etc., off it while it's in the driveway. Also keeps snow/ice off it in the winter. Not as good as a garage, but can't hurt. Water does go through it since the cover isn't air or watertight, but the truck dries quickly underneath after it stops raining.

I'm not qute so sure about the cover. It is it a high quality cover designed for outside use? If it is not get one. Also the cover should only be put on when the truck is absolutely clean to avoid scratching the finish. I'd use a high quality sealant/wax about four times a year. I recommend Meguiars NXT. Mechanically you seem to be doing the right stuff.

Tom