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2018 Toyota Tacoma

At a glance

Engine oil6.1–6.2 qtdepends on engine
Lug nuts83 lb-ft
Brake fluidDOT 3
  • Oil grade is printed on your oil filler cap.

On Amazon: Engine oil Oil filter Drain plug washer Socket set with ratchet

Engine oil by engine

EngineOil
2.7L6.2 qt
3.5L6.1 qt

Tire pressure by trim

TrimCold pressure, front and rear
Limited29 psi
SR32 psi
SR532 psi
TRD Off-Road30 psi
TRD Pro30 psi
TRD Sport29 psi

Your exact number is on the sticker in the driver’s door jamb.

Step-by-step video for the Tacoma

Front brake padsMade for the 2016–2023 Toyota Tacoma (2WD and 4x4)The truck goes up on jack stands, about 2 hours1:27 video · 12 s free · $1

Doing a different job?

Look up my Tacoma

What to buy, by job

Links open Amazon.

Oil and filter change

Parts

  • Engine oil6.1–6.2 qt, depends on engine
    Amazon
  • 1
    Oil filter
    Amazon
  • 1
    Drain plug washerIf yours is a crush washer, use a new one each change.
    Amazon

Tools

  • 1 set
    Socket set with ratchetFor the drain plug; the size depends on the car.
    Amazon
  • 1
    Oil filter wrench
    Amazon
  • 1 pair
    Car rampsOnly if you can’t reach the drain plug. Never get under a car held up by a jack alone.
    Amazon

Supplies

First time? Watch for these

  • Hot oil burns. After a drive, let the engine cool before you open the drain plug.
  • Check that the old filter’s rubber ring came off with it. Two rings stacked on the new filter make a big leak.
  • Snug the drain plug with a new washer; don’t force it. A stripped oil pan is the costly first-timer mistake.
  • After filling, run the engine a minute, shut it off, wait, then check the dipstick and look for drips.

Front brake pads

From our video for the 2016–2023 Toyota Tacoma (2WD and 4x4).

Parts

  • 1 set
    Front brake pad set with new shims4 pads, both front wheels; each pad with a No. 1 (slotted) and No. 2 anti-squeal shimPads differ for 2WD vs 4x4/PreRunner; pick your exact truck.
    Amazon
  • 4
    Pin hold clips (R-clips)Pin hold clip Type B: 2 per side, replace with newOnly if yours has two small R-clips per side.
    Amazon

Tools

  • 1
    Floor jack
    Amazon
  • 2
    Jack standsNever trust the jack alone; do one side at a time.
    Amazon
  • 1 pair
    Wheel chocksChock the rear wheels so the truck can't roll.
    Amazon
  • 1
    Breaker barLoosen lug nuts with this, not the torque wrench.
    Amazon
  • 1
    Lug nut socket
    Amazon
  • 1
    Torque wrenchMust reach 83 ft-lb (113 N-m) for the front wheel nutsRange must include 83 ft-lb; never loosen nuts with it.
    Amazon
  • 1
    Pry barPry with the old pads still in, never new ones.
    Amazon
  • 1
    Needle-nose pliers
    Amazon
  • 1
    Pin punch
    Amazon
  • 1
    Hammer
    Amazon
  • 1 pair
    Safety glasses
    Amazon
  • 1
    Brake rotor micrometer4x4/PreRunner rotor 28.0 mm (1.102 in) std, 26.0 mm (1.024 in) min; 2WD 25.0 mm std, 23.0 mm minOptional: checks the 26 mm limit; 0-1 inch models too small.
    Amazon

Supplies

  • 1 tube
    Brake shim greaseToyota 08887-80409
    Amazon
  • 1 tube
    Brake caliper greaseToyota 08887-80609 or equivalentThin film where pads touch caliper; never the friction side.
    Amazon
  • 1 bottle
    Brake fluidDOT 3 (SAE J1703 / FMVSS No. 116), to top upFill only to MAX; never DOT 5 silicone fluid.
    Amazon
  • 1 pair
    Nitrile gloves
    Amazon
  • 1 roll
    Shop towelsBrake fluid eats paint; wipe spills off right away.
    Amazon

First time? Watch for these

  • Do one side at a time, so the other side shows you how the clips and pads go back.
  • Pushing the piston back raises the brake fluid: watch the reservoir so it doesn’t spill. Brake fluid eats paint; wipe drips right away.
  • Before you drive, pump the brake pedal until it’s firm. The first push after new pads can go all the way down.

Rear brake pads

Parts

  • 1 set
    Rear brake padsBoth wheels on the axle
    Amazon

Tools

  • 1
    Floor jack
    Amazon
  • 2
    Jack standsNever get under a car held up by a jack alone.
    Amazon
  • 2
    Wheel chocks
    Amazon
  • 1
    Breaker bar or lug wrench
    Amazon
  • 1
    Torque wrenchLug nuts: 83 lb-ftTighten the lug nuts to this, in a star pattern.
    Amazon
  • 1 set
    Socket set
    Amazon
  • 1
    Large C-clampSome rear calipers turn the piston back instead: check yours first.
    Amazon

Supplies

  • 1 bottle
    Brake fluidDOT 3, to top upUse only the type shown here.
    Amazon
  • 1 can
    Brake cleaner
    Amazon
  • 1 box
    Nitrile gloves
    Amazon

First time? Watch for these

  • Do one side at a time, so the other side shows you how the clips and pads go back.
  • Pushing the piston back raises the brake fluid: watch the reservoir so it doesn’t spill. Brake fluid eats paint; wipe drips right away.
  • Before you drive, pump the brake pedal until it’s firm. The first push after new pads can go all the way down.
  • With an electric parking brake, put it in service mode first (owner’s manual or a scan tool). Forcing the piston breaks the motor.

Battery replacement

Parts

  • 1
    12-volt batterySame group size as the old one (on its label)
    Amazon

Tools

Supplies

  • 1 box
    Nitrile glovesNegative (−) off first, back on last.
    Amazon

First time? Watch for these

  • Don’t let a wrench touch both posts, or a post and the car body, at the same time: it sparks.
  • Tighten the hold-down so the new battery can’t move.
  • Take the old battery back to the store. Most charge a core fee until you do.
  • Some cars need the radio code or the power windows reset after. Your owner’s manual says how.

Engine air filter

Parts

Tools

  • 1
    Screwdriver setMany filter boxes open with clips; some have screws.
    Amazon

Supplies

First time? Watch for these

  • Note which side of the old filter faces up before you take it out.
  • Wipe leaves and dirt out of the box before the new filter goes in.
  • Make sure every clip closes and the lid sits flat. A gap lets dirt into the engine.

Cabin air filter

Parts

  • 1
    Cabin air filterNot the engine air filter. The arrow on its edge shows airflow.
    Amazon

Tools

  • No tools on most cars

First time? Watch for these

  • On many cars it sits behind the glove box: empty the glove box, then unhook its stops so it swings down.
  • Put the new filter in with its arrow pointing the same way as the old one’s.

Wiper blades

Parts

  • 1 pair
    Wiper bladesDriver and passenger sizes differ on most cars
    Amazon

Tools

  • No tools needed

First time? Watch for these

  • Lay a towel on the glass. A bare wiper arm can snap back and crack the windshield.
  • Listen for the click when the new blade locks onto the arm, then run the wipers once to check.

Spark plugs

Parts

  • Spark plugsOne per cylinder
    Amazon

Tools

  • 1
    Spark plug socket
    Amazon
  • 1 set
    Ratchet with extensions
    Amazon
  • 1
    Torque wrenchYour owner’s or service manual has the plug torque.
    Amazon
  • 1
    Plug gap tool
    Amazon

First time? Watch for these

  • Work on a cold engine. Threads in a hot aluminum head strip easily.
  • Change one plug at a time so each coil or wire goes back on its own cylinder.
  • Start each plug by hand for a few turns before the ratchet. A cross-threaded plug ruins the head.

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Other Toyota Tacoma years

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Written by our repair experts, checked against real jobs mechanics logged. If your owner’s manual says something different, go with the manual.