Quick Facts:
- Topic: 4Runner maintenance schedule for fifth-generation trucks, model years 2010 to 2024.
- Engine: 4.0-liter V6 on nearly every truck, rated at 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque.
- Oil: 6.6 quarts of SAE 0W-20 with a filter change.
- Oil interval: Every 10,000 miles or 12 months, or every 5,000 miles or 6 months under severe use.
- Tire rotation: Every 5,000 miles or 6 months.
- Coolant: 11.1 quarts, first replaced at 100,000 miles and every 50,000 miles after.
- Spark plugs: Replace at 120,000 miles or 144 months.
- Best for: Owners, used-truck shoppers and overlanders who tow or carry rooftop gear.
 9 min read
In This Guide
- Overview
- 4Runner Fluid Capacities at a Glance
- 4Runner Service Intervals by Mileage
- Severe-Duty 4Runner Maintenance Schedule for Trail, Towing and Dust
- 4Runner Torque Specs: Wheel Nuts, Oil Drain Plug and Propeller Shaft
- Spark Plugs, Coolant, Brake Fluid and Filters on a High-Mileage 4Runner
- Use the 4Runner Maintenance Schedule When Buying a Used Truck
- Final Thoughts
- FAQ
Overview
A 4Runner maintenance schedule should fit on one page, yet Toyota spreads the details across the owner’s manual and a separate Warranty & Maintenance Guide. This guide combines both for the fifth-generation truck, built for model years 2010 through 2024. Almost all of these trucks use a 4.0-liter V6. The 2010 4×2 SR5 also offered a 2.7-liter four-cylinder, which this guide does not cover. You get the intervals, fluid capacities and torque figures in one place, mostly sourced to Toyota documents, with forum figures labeled. The 2025 4Runner is an all-new design, so this guide does not cover it.
Use it to plan a DIY service, check a shop quote, or inspect a used truck before you buy. For example, Toyota calls for oil and filter changes every 10,000 miles or 12 months in normal driving. However, towing, heavy loading or driving mostly on dirt or dusty roads moves you to a severe schedule. As a result, several items change at once.
Where the Numbers Come From
Capacities and wheel nut torque values below come from Toyota owner’s manuals for the 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2024 model years, including the 2024 owner’s manual. Intervals come from the 2016 and 2024 Warranty & Maintenance Guides, which agree on the intervals listed here, and you will find the current one in Toyota’s 2024 Warranty & Maintenance Guide. Where a figure comes only from owner forums, the text says so. Also confirm your own year’s manual and Warranty & Maintenance Guide before you torque anything critical, because wheel nut torque changed between model years.
Gather the oil service parts before you open the drain plug. Reviewers say the Genuine Toyota 04152-YZZA5 Replaceable Oil Filter Element fits the 4Runner. The Genuine Toyota Oil Drain Plug Gaskets (QTY10) replace the 90430-12031 crush washer. Also plan on a torque wrench. The EPAuto 1/2-inch Drive Click Torque Wrench covers 10 to 150 ft-lb, which spans every figure in the torque table below.
Gear for a DIY 4Runner oil service
4Runner Fluid Capacities at a Glance
Toyota lists the engine oil and transmission fluid quantities as reference amounts. Therefore, fill the engine to the dipstick mark and check the other fluids at their fill openings or level marks.
| Fluid | Toyota Specification | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil | SAE 0W-20 | 6.6 qt with filter, 6.0 qt without |
| Engine coolant | Toyota Super Long Life Coolant | 11.1 qt |
| Front differential | Toyota LT 75W-85 GL-5 gear oil | 1.6 qt part-time 4WD, 1.5 qt full-time 4WD |
| Rear differential | Toyota LT 75W-85 GL-5 gear oil | 2.9 qt without locker, 2.8 qt with locker |
| Transfer case | Toyota Transfer Gear Oil LF, SAE 75W | 1.1 qt part-time, 1.5 qt full-time |
| Automatic transmission | Toyota ATF WS | 11.3 qt total (reference amount) |
| Brake fluid | DOT 3 | Fill to the max line |
| Power steering | ATF DEXRON II or III | Fill between the min and max marks |
Part-Time vs Full-Time 4Runner 4WD: Which Numbers Apply
Check your trim before you buy fluid. Trucks with part-time 4WD use a transfer case, while the 2024 Limited grade uses a full-time system with a Torsen center differential. Specifically, a part-time truck takes 1.1 quarts in the transfer case and 1.6 quarts in the front differential. A full-time truck takes 1.5 quarts in each.
The rear differential takes 2.9 quarts without a locker and 2.8 quarts with one. In 2024, the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro grades carried the electronic-locking rear differential. Our locking differentials explainer shows how the system works on the trail.
Toyota asks dusty-road drivers to replace transfer case oil on the 30,000-mile cycle. Also, our 4 High vs 4 Low guide explains when to use each range.
Oil Grade in the 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2024 Manuals
Every Toyota manual checked lists SAE 0W-20 for the 4.0-liter V6, including the 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2024 books. The specification moved from ILSAC GF-5 in 2014 and 2018 to GF-6A in 2024. Toyota allows 5W-20 as a temporary substitute, then asks you to return to 0W-20 at the next change. For the full drain, filter and plug routine, follow our 5th gen 4Runner oil change guide.
4Runner Service Intervals by Mileage
Toyota schedules service in 5,000-mile steps. Follow miles or months, whichever arrives first.
| Interval | What Toyota Schedules |
|---|---|
| Every 5,000 miles or 6 months | Rotate tires, inspect and adjust fluid levels, inspect wiper blades, visually inspect brake pads and linings. |
| Every 10,000 miles or 12 months | Replace engine oil and filter, along with the 5,000-mile items. |
| Every 15,000 miles or 18 months | Lubricate the propeller shaft and re-torque its bolt, then inspect ball joints, differential oil, brake lines, steering linkage and exhaust. |
| Every 30,000 miles or 36 months | Replace the engine and cabin air filters, inspect transfer case oil and the automatic transmission for leaks, and measure brake pad thickness and rotor runout. |
| 60,000 miles | Make the first drive belt inspection, then repeat it every 15,000 miles. |
| 100,000 miles or 120 months | Replace the coolant for the first time, then every 50,000 miles or 60 months. |
| 120,000 miles or 144 months | Replace the spark plugs. |
The 5,000-mile visit is light because it covers only a tire rotation, a fluid level check, a look at the wipers and a visual brake inspection. If the last fill was not the recommended oil, Toyota asks you to replace it at a 5,000-mile stop between scheduled oil changes.
The 30,000-mile visit is the first big one. In addition to the oil change, Toyota swaps both air filters, greases the propeller shaft and checks brake wear. At 60,000 miles, Toyota adds the first drive belt inspection. Toyota’s schedule lists no timing belt replacement at any mileage. Reset the MAINT REQD light after each oil service so the reminder stays accurate.
Severe-Duty 4Runner Maintenance Schedule for Trail, Towing and Dust
Toyota defines special operating conditions with their own service lists. They cover dirt or dusty roads, towing or heavy loading, short cold trips, and extended idling or low-speed use. A trail truck with a rooftop tent or a trailer meets the first two.
| Condition | Extra Service Toyota Lists |
|---|---|
| Dirt or dusty roads | Oil and filter every 5,000 miles, engine air filter inspection at each 5,000-mile stop, propeller shaft grease every 5,000 miles, and transfer case oil replacement on the 30,000-mile cycle. |
| Towing, car-top carrier or heavy loading | Oil and filter every 5,000 miles, propeller shaft grease and bolt re-torque every 5,000 miles, front and rear differential oil every 15,000 miles, transfer case oil every 30,000 miles, ATF at 60,000 and 120,000 miles. |
| Repeated trips under 5 miles below 32°F, or extended idling or low-speed use | Oil and filter every 5,000 miles. |
I would treat any 4Runner with a rooftop tent, a loaded rack or a trailer in regular use as a severe-duty truck. Toyota’s wording about car-top carriers and heavy loading supports this reading. Therefore, I would schedule the 5,000-mile oil change and the 15,000-mile differential service for those trucks.
Transmission fluid also depends on how you use the truck. Toyota lists no scheduled ATF replacement in normal use. However, it calls for fresh ATF WS at 60,000 and 120,000 miles when you tow or load the truck heavily. Before a long trip, run through the checks in our guide to preparing your rig for a cross-country overlanding trip. Then compare your mileage against the tables above so nothing comes due mid-trip.
4Runner Torque Specs: Wheel Nuts, Oil Drain Plug and Propeller Shaft
Toyota prints wheel nut torque in the owner’s manual. The other values below come from owners who compiled Toyota service data on the Toyota-4Runner.org forum. Treat them as starting points and confirm them against the repair manual for your year.
| Fastener | Torque | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel nuts, steel wheels (2018 and 2024) | 83 ft-lb | Toyota owner’s manual |
| Wheel nuts, aluminum wheels (2018 and 2024) | 76 ft-lb | Toyota owner’s manual |
| Wheel nuts (2014) | 81 ft-lb | Toyota owner’s manual |
| Wheel nuts (2010) | 83 ft-lb | Toyota owner’s manual |
| Engine oil drain plug | About 30 ft-lb | Owner forum |
| Propeller shaft bolts | 65 ft-lb | Owner forum |
Safety note: Support the truck on jack stands before you crawl underneath to reach drain plugs or skid plates. Never rely on a jack alone. Let the engine cool first, because oil and exhaust parts stay hot after a drive.
Wheel nut torque changed over the years. Check the manual for your year, and use a torque wrench instead of an impact gun on the wheels.
Spark Plugs, Coolant, Brake Fluid and Filters on a High-Mileage 4Runner
The items below come due late in the schedule, so check them first on a high-mileage truck. Toyota replaces the spark plugs at 120,000 miles or 144 months. The factory plug is a DENSO SK16HR11 iridium plug with a 0.043-inch gap, and Toyota says not to adjust the gap. However, the 2010 manual lists the SK20HR11 with the same gap.
Toyota calls for the first coolant replacement at 100,000 miles or 120 months, then every 50,000 miles or 60 months. Use Toyota Super Long Life Coolant, or a coolant with the same hybrid organic acid chemistry, and plan on 11.1 quarts for a full refill.
Brake Fluid and Air Filters on a High-Mileage 4Runner
Brake fluid follows a different pattern. Toyota lists DOT 3 fluid but sets no replacement interval, and the guide asks only for a level and condition check at each service. Owner forum posts suggest a flush every three years, which is a judgment call rather than a Toyota requirement.
Both air filters come due at 30,000 miles, then every 30,000 miles after. On dusty roads, Toyota asks for an engine air filter inspection at every 5,000-mile stop. Also, replace the cabin filter early if airflow drops.
Two of these items are worth buying ahead of time. A V6 needs six plugs, and the DENSO #3417 Iridium Long Life Spark Plugs come as a 6-pack for the SK16HR11 part number Toyota lists. For the coolant refill, the Genuine 00272 SLLC2 Engine Coolant / Antifreeze carries Toyota’s Super Long Life part number. Check the jug label against the fluid table before you pour.
Parts for the late-interval services
6 PCS NEW --- DENSO # 3417 Iridium LONG LIFE Spark Plugs -- SK16HR1…
Use the 4Runner Maintenance Schedule When Buying a Used Truck
Service records show whether a truck followed Toyota’s schedule. Ask the seller for receipts, then match the mileage against these stops.
- Oil: look for changes no more than 10,000 miles apart, or every 5,000 miles on trucks used to tow or carry roof gear.
- Coolant: a truck past 100,000 miles needs the first coolant replacement on record.
- Spark plugs: a truck past 120,000 miles should show new plugs.
- Differentials and transfer case: ask whether the last owner towed or ran dusty trails. If so, Toyota moves fluid replacement to the 15,000-mile or 30,000-mile cycle.
- Propeller shaft: ask whether anyone greased the fittings and re-torqued the bolts every 15,000 miles.
Mods also change the math. For example, a lifted truck used to tow or carry a heavy rack load falls under the severe-duty schedule, even if the odometer reads low. If a truck is past a milestone with no receipt, treat the service as due now.
Final Thoughts
A 5th-gen 4Runner needs a simple routine, and now the numbers live on one page. Start with the 5,000-mile rotation and inspection, add the 10,000-mile oil service, and let the 15,000-mile cycle handle the propeller shaft and the differential inspections.
If your truck tows, hauls a rooftop tent or sees dust, I would follow the severe-duty schedule. Toyota lists those extra services for those conditions.
Print the tables, write your mileage beside each service, and keep the receipts. Then check the numbers against your own year’s owner’s manual before every fluid change, since model years differ in small ways such as wheel nut torque. If you want the step-by-step oil change next, our oil change guide walks through it.
Use this 4Runner maintenance schedule as your checklist, then log each service before the next trip.
FAQ
How often should you change oil on a 5th-gen 4Runner?
Toyota calls for an oil and filter change every 10,000 miles or 12 months in normal driving. Under severe conditions, such as towing, a rooftop carrier or dusty roads, the interval drops to 5,000 miles or 6 months. Follow whichever limit arrives first.
What oil does a 4Runner take?
The 4.0-liter V6 takes SAE 0W-20 in every Toyota manual checked, and a filter change needs 6.6 quarts. Toyota allows 5W-20 as a short-term substitute. Switch back to 0W-20 at the next change.
How much fluid do the 4Runner differentials and transfer case hold?
The front differential holds 1.6 quarts on part-time 4WD trucks and 1.5 quarts on full-time trucks. In the rear, the differential holds 2.9 quarts, or 2.8 quarts with a locker. The transfer case holds 1.1 quarts on part-time trucks and 1.5 quarts on full-time trucks.
When do the spark plugs need replacement?
Toyota replaces them at 120,000 miles or 144 months, whichever comes first. The factory plug is a DENSO SK16HR11 iridium plug with a 0.043-inch gap. Toyota says not to adjust the gap.
Does the automatic transmission need a fluid change?
In normal use, Toyota lists no scheduled ATF replacement. If you tow or load the truck heavily, Toyota calls for ATF WS at 60,000 and 120,000 miles. The total fill is 11.3 quarts as a reference amount.
What is the lug nut torque for a 4Runner?
For 2018 and 2024, the manuals list 83 ft-lb for steel wheels and 76 ft-lb for aluminum wheels. The 2014 manual lists 81 ft-lb, and the 2010 manual lists 83 ft-lb. Check the manual for your model year.