| Engine oil & filter | API SL / ILSAC · 1GR-FE 5.2 L, 2UZ-FE 6.2 L with filter | At purchase, then per the manual | Viscosity confirm in manual. Capacities from Toyota-Club's owner's-manual data.Oil filters — 2005 4Runner catalog · RockAuto ↗ |
| Engine air filter | Panel filter | At purchase; more often on dusty trails | Shared with Tacoma/FJ/Tundra 1GR applications in the aftermarket.HPS drop-in air filter, 2003–15 Tacoma/4Runner/FJ 1GR · LC Engineering ↗Air filters — 2005 4Runner catalog · RockAuto ↗ |
| Cabin air filter | confirm in manual | At purchase | Cheap, often forgotten.Cabin air filters — 2005 4Runner catalog · RockAuto ↗ |
| Spark plugs | Type and interval confirm in manual | Per the manual | Forum advice on plug intervals conflicts — go by the manual. On the V8, owners suggest doing plugs alongside the timing belt.Spark plugs — 2005 4Runner catalog · RockAuto ↗ |
| Coolant | Toyota-type long-life coolant · 1GR-FE 9.8 L, 2UZ-FE 12.3 L | Drain and refill at purchase | Capacities per Toyota-Club; use a Toyota-spec ('Asian formula') coolant. 4th gen V6 radiators commonly leak at the driver's-side bottom.Coolant, radiator & thermostat — 2005 4Runner catalog · RockAuto ↗ |
| Automatic transmission fluid | 4-speed: Toyota ATF T-IV, 2.0 L drain/refill · 5-speed: Toyota ATF WS, ≈3.0 L drain/refill | Drain and refill at purchase; repeat to refresh more of the fluid | 2005-on trucks use the 5-speed with WS fluid (the 2005 owner's manual says 'up to 3.0 L'). There's no dipstick on later trucks — level is checked at a set fluid temperature, so owners use a scan tool to read ATF temp.Transmission fluid & filters — 2005 4Runner catalog · RockAuto ↗ |
| Transfer case | GL-5 75W-90 · 1.4 L | At purchase | 24 mm drain/fill plugs; break the fill plug loose first. Fill until it drips from the fill hole.Transfer case parts — 2005 4Runner catalog · RockAuto ↗ |
| Front differential | GL-5 75W-90 · 1.5 L (V6) / 1.4 L (V8) | At purchase | 10 mm hex plugs behind the 12 mm-bolted skid plates; new washer 90430-24003 on the drain.Differential parts & gaskets — 2005 4Runner catalog · RockAuto ↗ |
| Rear differential | GL-5 80W-90 · 3.05 L | At purchase | Toyota-Club lists 80W-90 for the rear (some owners run 75W-90 throughout). 2009 Trail Editions have the factory rear E-locker — cycle it in 4Lo after the service.Differential parts & gaskets — 2005 4Runner catalog · RockAuto ↗ |
| Power steering fluid | ATF Dexron II/III | Drain/refill reservoir at purchase | While you're there, check the inner rack boots for fluid — a TacomaWorld-flagged 4th gen weak point.Power steering parts — 2005 4Runner catalog · RockAuto ↗ |
| Brake fluid | Type confirm in manual | Flush at purchase; a 4Runners.com member says Toyota's interval was 4 years in 2008 | Listen for the ABS accumulator pump cycling constantly — a sign the brake actuator is failing.Brake hydraulics — 2005 4Runner catalog · RockAuto ↗ |
| Timing belt & water pump (2UZ-FE V8 only) | Belt, tensioner pulley, idler, hydraulic adjuster, water pump | 90,000 mi or 108 months (Toyota schedule, per Cherish Your Car); LC Engineering suggests inspecting from ≈60,000 mi | The 1GR-FE V6 uses a timing chain and needs no belt service.Timing belt kit (belt, tensioner & idler pulleys) — 2UZ-FE · LC Engineering ↗Hydraulic timing belt adjuster — 2UZ-FE · LC Engineering ↗ |
| X-REAS / rear height-control air springs | Inspect for leaks and sag | At purchase | Leaking X-REAS shocks are replaced in pairs; many owners convert to conventional shocks and coils instead.Bilstein B8 5100 set for X-REAS trucks · ShockWarehouse ↗Rear coil conversion kit · Metal Tech 4x4 ↗ |
| CV boots, sway-bar bushings & front hubs | Inspect | At purchase | TacomaWorld members flag leaking CV boots past ≈100,000 mi and clunking front sway-bar bushings; replace the knuckle dust seal if you do a hub.CV axles, bushings & hubs — 2005 4Runner catalog · RockAuto ↗ |