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Bigbit View Drop Down
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Joined: 27 Feb 2010
Location: USA
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Posts: 58 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: New Tow Vehicle!
    Posted: 16 Oct 2010 at 8:04am
My Buick Enclave is the same as the Tacoma - no tranny dipstick.  It was driving me crazy trying to find it when I first got the truck.  A visit to the user's manual clarified that.  The user's manual is also very similar to the Tacoma in terms of maintenance requirements - recommended fluid change at 100K, or 50K if the vehicle is driven hard.
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Joined: 29 Jul 2009
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Oct 2010 at 10:10pm
Yeah, checking on the condition is what worries me, too.  I pull the dipstick out and do the sniff test before each trip.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Joined: 20 Sep 2010
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Posts: 267 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Oct 2010 at 5:24pm
Nope, no dip stick. The Tacoma 4.0 v/6 since 2005 has a kind of sealed transmission. It also uses a pretty specialized fluid called World Standard that toyota puts out in their own brand. There aren't supposed to be too many products that are compatible i.e. don't mix Dextron with WS.
 
The Tacoma is scheduled to go 100,000 miles before servicing the transmission, but 60,000 if you tow or work it hard. I kinda don't like not having a dip stick to check fluid level AND condition. I read somewhere that Toyota may cut back on that 100,000 mile service schedule.
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Oct 2010 at 2:54pm
No dip stick?  Wow.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 267 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Oct 2010 at 1:12pm
Hey, you're gonna love your Tacoma. We just went on the first major trip with ours-over the North Cascades highway and 3 major passes in Washington State. Our new to us '06 Tacoma did great ('05 to 11 have pretty much the same specs). I think the Tacoma or Nissan Frontier are about ideal for the RPods with good power and good non towing economy. We got 10.5 MPG over the worst pass and 11 to 13 the rest of the trip.
 
We never went above 3200 RPM and even that was for one very short period over Rainy Pass. Most of the trip was under 2500 RPM and in 4th gear. The Tacoma very seldom shifted down to third even while pulling the passes. Ah, it's nice to have some torque. We were always able to hold at least 55 mph with umph in reserve when climbing. We could have pushed harder, so I don't know or care about the Tacoma's limits beyond this. 55 mph is plenty with some of those roads. I never tow above 60 and that's nothing for the Tacoma.
 
You talked about transmission stuff with your other rig. Have you looked at the SIZE of that trans cooler on our Tac? Nice to have that aux oil cooler too, huh?  Well, keep the Taco out of overdrive when towing and you should never have a problem. Also, towing out of overdrive really helps your brakes when going down hill. You'll probably be like me--don't look for your transmission dip stick, you won't find one.
 
Enjoy your Taco--We sure are enjoying ours, as it has plenty of hot sauce! 
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Posts: 1222 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Oct 2010 at 10:01am
    The Toyota Tacoma sounds great! It should give you peace of mind when towing. Congradulations!     David and Danette
2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-              
2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019)
2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014)
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Joined: 31 Jul 2010
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Posts: 35 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Oct 2010 at 8:35am
Thanks!  We're excited to be heading out later this afternoon!  After reading these responses, I realized that I needed to change my signature - done!
Beth and Joe
2011 Prime Time Tracer 195M
2010 Toyota Tacoma
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Oct 2010 at 6:49am
Also, congratulations!  I'm sure you'll enjoy the towing experience much more now.  You can see my upgraded vehicle below.  It has a 6700lbs tow capacity and has 325hp.  HUGE difference in the experience!  I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine.
 
And, yep, you'll be able to go anywhere you want to go! 
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Posts: 1950 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Oct 2010 at 5:03am
Congrats on the new truck!  Be sure to let us know how it worked out.  Oh, and pictures are always appreciated.

Terry
RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4
Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565
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Posts: 35 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Oct 2010 at 9:31pm
DH and I agonized over the potential issues with our Ford Escape's lack of towing power and potential transmission issues (after having had the transmission worked on last week, with only 15,000 miles on it).  After looking on AutoTrader, I found a 2010 Toyota Tacoma with only 5,000 miles on it, for about $6,000 under list price.  It was used as part of the dealer's rental fleet.  After looking at it, driving it, and getting an acceptable price for our Escape, we drove it home last night!  Now there are no worries about towing the Peachpod anywhere, including the mountains!  This truck can tow 6500 pounds!  I know we're going to need a hitch with a bigger drop since the truck is higher than the Escape, so I rummaged around and found our old PUP hitch, which will hopefully fit the bill.  It even has the sway bar ball welded on! 
 
We're taking the truck and the Peachpod out for their maiden voyage tomorrow - going to the N. GA mountains for the Apple Festival in Elllijay, Ga.  We're looking forward to crisp nights and campfires, plus delicious apples and apple products of every description!
Beth and Joe
2011 Prime Time Tracer 195M
2010 Toyota Tacoma
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