---
title: "5th Gen 4Runner Maintenance Schedule: 5k to 120k Mile Checklist (2010–2024)"
url: https://toyotadata.com/guides/5th-gen-4runner-maintenance-schedule-checklist/
description: "Toyota's 5th gen 4Runner maintenance schedule from 5k to 120k: oil, air filters, coolant, spark plugs, and the extra services for dirt and towing."
platforms: [4Runner]
category: Maintenance & Problems
author: Rob Krause
published: 2026-10-20T23:45:00Z
updated: 2026-10-20T23:45:00Z
---

# 5th Gen 4Runner Maintenance Schedule: 5k to 120k Mile Checklist (2010–2024)

> **Quick answer:** Every 5,000 miles or 6 months: rotate tires, check fluid levels, wipers and brakes. Every 10,000 miles or 12 months: 0W-20 oil and filter. Every 15,000: grease and re-torque the propeller shaft, plus a full under-truck inspection. Every 30,000: engine air filter and cabin air filter. 100,000: first coolant change, then every 50,000. 120,000: spark plugs. Drive more on dirt or tow? Oil every 5,000, diff oil every 15,000, transfer case oil every 30,000, and ATF at 60,000 and 120,000. Compiled from Toyota's 2021 and 2024 4Runner Warranty and Maintenance Guides, which print the same schedule.

> QUICK ANSWER
>
> **Every 5,000 miles or 6 months:** rotate tires, check fluid levels, wipers and brakes. **Every 10,000 miles or 12 months:** 0W-20 oil and filter. **Every 15,000:** grease and re-torque the propeller shaft, plus a full under-truck inspection. **Every 30,000:** engine air filter **and** cabin air filter. **100,000:** first coolant change, then every 50,000. **120,000:** spark plugs. Drive more on dirt or tow? Oil every 5,000, diff oil every 15,000, transfer case oil every 30,000, and ATF at 60,000 and 120,000. Compiled from Toyota's 2021 and 2024 4Runner Warranty and Maintenance Guides, which print the same schedule.

The 5th gen 4Runner's 1GR-FE V6 is one of the easiest engines Toyota makes to live with, and the factory schedule reflects it: no plugs until 120,000, no coolant until 100,000, and no fluid changes for the transmission, transfer case or diffs at all under normal use. The catch is the word "normal." A 4Runner that spends its life on gravel roads, in salt, or behind a trailer is on a much busier schedule, and Toyota spells it out in the special operating conditions boxes most owners skip. This checklist pulls every interval out of Toyota's guide and lays it out by mileage.

**Where this comes from.** The intervals are from Toyota's *2021* and *2024 4Runner Warranty and Maintenance Guides*. We compared the two line by line and the schedule is identical; the only wording changes are "recommended oil" in place of "0W-20" and "radiator, condenser and/or intercooler." Earlier 5th gen years use the same 4.0L V6 and drivetrain, but Toyota prints a guide per model year, so check yours on Toyota's owners site for your official log.

## The Whole Schedule at a Glance

Normal-use schedule. Every visit also includes a tire rotation, a fluid level check, wiper inspection, a floor mat check and a visual brake check.

| MILES / MONTHS | REPLACE OR SERVICE | MAJOR INSPECTIONS |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 5k / 6 mo | Rotate tires | Fluids, wipers, brakes (visual) |
| 10k / 12 mo | Oil and filter | |
| 15k / 18 mo | Grease and re-torque propeller shaft | Full under-truck list, including cabin air filter |
| 20k / 24 mo | Oil and filter | |
| 25k / 30 mo | | |
| 30k / 36 mo | Oil and filter, **engine and cabin air filters**, propeller shaft service | Full list plus brake thickness and runout, fuel system, transfer case oil |
| 40k / 48 mo | Oil and filter | |
| 45k / 54 mo | Propeller shaft service | Full under-truck list |
| 50k / 60 mo | Oil and filter | |
| 60k / 72 mo | Oil and filter, engine and cabin air filters, propeller shaft service | Full list plus drive belts (first check) |
| 75k / 90 mo | Propeller shaft service | Full list plus drive belts |
| 80k / 96 mo | Oil and filter | |
| 90k / 108 mo | Oil and filter, engine and cabin air filters, propeller shaft service | Full list plus drive belts |
| 100k / 120 mo | Oil and filter, **engine coolant (first change)** | |
| 105k / 126 mo | Propeller shaft service | Full list plus drive belts |
| 120k / 144 mo | Oil and filter, engine and cabin air filters, propeller shaft service, **spark plugs** | Full list plus drive belts |

**How the pattern works.** Oil every 10,000 on 0W-20. Engine and cabin air filters together every 30,000 (the cabin filter is inspected at the 15k-type visits in between). Propeller shaft greased and its bolts re-torqued every 15,000; unlike the Tacoma schedule, the 4Runner guide does not limit this to 4WD trucks. Coolant at 100,000, then every 50,000 miles or 60 months. Drive belts first checked at 60,000, then every 15,000.

## Oil: 10,000 Miles, With Conditions

The 2021 guide states the 4Runner is certified for 0W-20, and the oil change interval is **10,000 miles or 12 months if 0W-20 is used**. If you used anything else, the next odd-numbered visit (5k, 15k, 25k and so on) carries a note to change it then. And if most of your driving falls under any special operating condition below, Toyota says to change oil and filter every **5,000 miles or 6 months regardless of the oil**.

The 4.0L takes **6.6 qt (6.2 L) with the filter**. All capacities are in our [4Runner fluid capacities guide](https://toyotadata.com/guides/toyota-4runner-fluid-capacities-and-types-2010-2025/). Reset the "MAINT REQD" reminder after each change.

## The "Full Under-Truck List"

The 15k-type visits (15k, 45k, 75k, 105k) inspect:

- Ball joints and dust covers
- Brake lines and hoses
- Cabin air filter
- Drive shaft boots (4WD)
- Engine coolant level and condition
- Exhaust pipes and mountings
- Front differential oil (4WD) and rear differential oil
- Radiator and condenser
- Steering gear, steering linkage and boots

The 30k-type visits (30k, 60k, 90k, 120k) replace the cabin filter instead of inspecting it and add:

- Automatic transmission, checked for leaks
- Brake pads, rotors, drums and shoes: thickness measured and rotor runout checked
- Fuel lines and connections, fuel tank band, fuel vapor vent hoses
- Fuel tank cap gasket
- Transfer case oil (4WD)
- Drive belts, from 60k on

## Special Operating Conditions

Do these **only if most of your driving** is under the condition. An occasional trail weekend does not put a daily driver on this schedule; a 4Runner that lives on a dirt road or tows every week does.

| CONDITION | 5k / 10k-TYPE VISITS | 15k, 45k, 75k, 105k | 30k AND 90k | 60k AND 120k |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Dirt or dusty roads** | Oil and filter every 5k; inspect ball joints, CV boots, engine air filter, steering linkage; grease and re-torque propeller shaft; tighten chassis and body nuts and bolts | Inspect engine air filter; oil and filter; tighten nuts and bolts | Replace transfer case oil (4WD); tighten nuts and bolts | Replace transfer case oil (4WD); tighten nuts and bolts |
| **Towing, roof carrier or heavy loads** | Oil and filter every 5k; grease and re-torque propeller shaft; tighten nuts and bolts | Replace front (4WD) and rear diff oil; oil and filter; tighten nuts and bolts | Replace front and rear diff oil and transfer case oil | Replace **automatic transmission fluid**, front and rear diff oil, transfer case oil |
| **Trips under 5 miles below 32°F** | Oil and filter every 5k | Oil and filter | (oil is already changed) | (oil is already changed) |
| **Long idling or low-speed driving** | Oil and filter every 5k | Oil and filter | (oil is already changed) | (oil is already changed) |

The propeller shaft items carry Toyota's footnote that they include driving on **salted roads**. In the salt belt, grease the driveshaft at every 5,000-mile visit.

**For a typical overland or tow-rig 4Runner**, Toyota's own schedule works out to: oil every 5,000; front and rear diff oil every 15,000; transfer case oil every 30,000; ATF at 60,000 and 120,000.

## Off-Road Days

Toyota also lists checks for every day you drive through deep sand, mud or water: ball joints, brake lines, brake pads and rotors, differential oil, CV boots, the engine air filter, chassis nuts and bolts, steering linkage, transfer case oil and transmission fluid, plus greasing the propeller shaft. After a deep water crossing, open the diff and transfer case fill plugs and look for milky oil.

## Doing It Yourself: The Oil Change

The 1GR-FE uses a cartridge filter in a screw-on housing, reached from under the truck.

1. **Warm the engine briefly** and park level.
2. **Remove the skid plate access** to reach the drain plug and filter housing.
3. **Drain the oil** into a pan that holds at least 7 quarts. Use a new drain plug gasket.
4. **Drain and remove the filter housing.** The housing has a drain; empty it before you unscrew the cap with a 64 mm 14-flute cap wrench so oil does not run down the frame.
5. **Fit the new element and the new O-ring** supplied with the filter. Oil the O-ring and tighten the cap to the torque in your owner's manual.
6. **Fill with 0W-20,** start the engine, check for leaks, then top up to the full mark on the dipstick.
7. **Reset the maintenance reminder** and log the date and mileage.

## Parts and Tools for 5th Gen 4Runner Service

*Links below are Amazon affiliate links: as an Amazon Associate, toyotadata earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.* Confirm fitment for your exact truck before you order.

| ITEM | USED FOR | BUY |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Genuine Toyota 0W-20 motor oil, 4 qt | Oil changes (two jugs cover 6.6 qt) | [Shop on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P8873HW?tag=1434042-20) |
| Genuine Toyota 04152-YZZA5 oil filter element | 4.0L V6 (1GR-FE) oil changes, 2010 and later | [Shop on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0044AXPMW?tag=1434042-20) |
| Motivx 64 mm 14-flute oil filter cap wrench | Removing the filter housing cap without cracking it | [Shop on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XTAGHU0?tag=1434042-20) |
| Engine and cabin air filter kit, 2010–2024 4Runner 4.0L | The 30k air filter changes | [Shop on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FPL875JV?tag=1434042-20) |
| Toyota Super Long Life Coolant, 50/50 premix | The 100k coolant change and top-offs | [Shop on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0071N5DM4?tag=1434042-20) |
| Genuine Toyota ATF WS, 1 qt | Automatic transmission service on the towing schedule | [Shop on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007WMF0Q8?tag=1434042-20) |
| Toyota LT 75W-85 GL-5 gear oil (08885-02506) | Front and rear diff changes | [Shop on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Toyota+08885-02506+75W-85&tag=1434042-20) |
| Toyota Transfer Gear Oil LF 75W (08885-81080) | Transfer case changes; not the same oil as the diffs | [Shop on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Toyota+08885-81080+transfer+gear+oil+LF&tag=1434042-20) |
| Fluid pump for quart bottles | Filling diffs and the transfer case through the fill plug | [Shop on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D5HRX6LG?tag=1434042-20) |
| Lever grease gun | The 15k propeller shaft grease service | [Shop on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076M14YN6?tag=1434042-20) |
| 1/2" drive click torque wrench, 10-150 ft-lb | Propeller shaft bolts and lug nuts | [Shop on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MP1Q3W8?tag=1434042-20) |
| 15 qt oil drain pan | Oil and diff drains | [Shop on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZQMMGDZ?tag=1434042-20) |
| 3-ton jack stands (pair) | Supporting the truck for rotations and under-truck work | [Shop on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CO86BY?tag=1434042-20) |

The gear oils link to part-number searches because single bottles are often listed by third-party sellers at very different prices; check the price per bottle or buy at a Toyota parts counter.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How often should I change the oil in a 5th gen 4Runner?

Every 10,000 miles or 12 months with 0W-20, per Toyota's maintenance guide. Change it every 5,000 miles or 6 months if you used a different oil, or if most of your driving is on dirt roads, towing, short trips in freezing weather or long idling.

### What is done at the 4Runner 30,000 mile service?

Oil and filter, engine air filter, cabin air filter, tire rotation, greasing and re-torquing the propeller shaft, and a full inspection including brake thickness and runout, fuel lines, the fuel cap gasket and transfer case oil. On the dirt-road schedule the transfer case oil is changed; on the towing schedule both diffs and the transfer case are.

### What is done at the 4Runner 60,000 mile service?

The same as the 30k service plus the first drive belt inspection. If you tow, it also includes the automatic transmission fluid, both diffs and the transfer case. There are no spark plugs at 60k on the 4Runner.

### When do the spark plugs get changed on a 5th gen 4Runner?

At 120,000 miles or 144 months.

### When should the coolant be changed on a 4Runner?

First at 100,000 miles or 120 months, then every 50,000 miles or 60 months, with Toyota Super Long Life Coolant.

### Does the 4Runner need transmission fluid changes?

Not on the normal schedule, which only inspects the transmission for leaks. On the towing schedule, Toyota changes the ATF at 60,000 and 120,000 miles. It is ATF WS with no dipstick; see our [fluids guide](https://toyotadata.com/guides/toyota-4runner-fluid-capacities-and-types-2010-2025/) for the fill procedure.

### Can I do my own maintenance and keep the warranty?

Yes. The warranty depends on the maintenance being done and documented, not on who does it. Keep receipts for parts and fluids and log the date and mileage of every service.

## Related 4Runner Guides

- [Toyota 4Runner Fluid Capacities and Types (2010–2025)](https://toyotadata.com/guides/toyota-4runner-fluid-capacities-and-types-2010-2025/)
- [4Runner and FJ Cruiser Torque Specs](https://toyotadata.com/guides/toyota-4runner-fj-cruiser-torque-specs-suspension-drivetrain/)
- [Toyota 1GR-FE 4.0 V6 Engine Guide](https://toyotadata.com/guides/toyota-1gr-fe-engine-guide-4-0-v6-specs-problems-reliability/)
- [3rd Gen Tacoma Maintenance Schedule](https://toyotadata.com/guides/3rd-gen-tacoma-maintenance-schedule-checklist/)
- [5th Gen 4Runner Troubleshooter](https://toyotadata.com/troubleshooter/5th-gen-4runner/)

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Source: https://toyotadata.com/guides/5th-gen-4runner-maintenance-schedule-checklist/