TOYOTA TUNDRA

OVERVIEW

Manufacturer: Toyota
Production: May 1999 – present
Model years: 2000–present
Assembly: Princeton, Indiana (TMMI ended in 2009)
                   San Antonio, Texas, US (TMMTX)

• Body and Chassis

Class: Full-size pickup truck
Body style: 2-door Regular cab; 4-door Double cab and Crewmax
Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive; Front-engine, four-wheel-drive
Related: Toyota Sequoia

HISTORY

The Toyota Tundra is a pickup truck manufactured in the United States by the Japanese manufacturer Toyota since May 1999. The Tundra was the second full-size pickup to be built by a Japanese manufacturer (the first was the Toyota T-100), but the Tundra was the first full-size pickup from a Japanese manufacturer to be built in North America. The Tundra was nominated for the North American Truck of the Year award and was Motor Trend magazine’s Truck of the Year in 2000 and 2008. Initially built in a new Toyota plant in Princeton, Indiana, production was consolidated in 2008 to Toyota’s San Antonio, Texas, factory and is the only full-size pickup truck manufactured in Texas.

SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THE TOYOTA TUNDRA

• Tundra Engine

The Toyota Tundra features a 5.7-liter V8 engine that produces 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. The Tundra has brisk acceleration and good power, but some rivals have more impressive engines, and most have a wider array of options to choose from. Most critics find that the six-speed automatic transmission operates smoothly.

• Tundra Gas Mileage

The 2021 Tundra earns EPA fuel economy estimates of 13 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the highway, regardless of drivetrain. Those ratings are well behind rivals with smaller engines, but they’re also poor compared to V8-powered rivals.

• Tundra Ride and Handling

Even by large truck standards, the Tundra’s handling and ride quality leave room for improvement. The suspension does a poor job absorbing road imperfections, especially larger ones. This Toyota has uninspiring handling as well, and its size makes maneuverability a challenge in cramped areas.

• Tundra Towing Capacity

When properly equipped, the Tundra can tow up to 10,200 pounds, and it can haul up to 1,730 pounds. Almost every other full-size pickup truck can tow and haul more than the Tundra.

DESIGN

The standard Entune infotainment system works OK, and it has a responsive touch screen. The virtual buttons are small, and some menus and functions can be hard to navigate through.

Standard infotainment features: a 7-inch touch screen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, three USB ports, Bluetooth, a six-speaker stereo, and a Wi-Fi hot spot

Available infotainment features: an 8-inch touch screen, a seven- or nine-speaker stereo, navigation, and a 12-speaker JBL premium stereo

Other available features: a rear-sliding window (Double Cab) or power-retractable rear window (CrewMax), dual-zone automatic climate control, proximity keyless entry, push-button start, and a moonroof.

The current generation of the Tundra debuted for the 2007 model year and received a facelift for 2014. Here are the key changes for the Tundra over the last few years:

2016: updated infotainment system

2017: no notable changers

2018: added Toyota Safety Sense package to the standard features list; Regular Cab body style dropped; TRD Pro trim dropped for one year

2019: TRD Pro trim returned to lineup

2020: 5.7-liter V8 engine became sole engine offering; gained standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus larger standard and available touch screens

2021: Trail and Nightshade special edition packages available.

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR TUNDRA?

• Get Your Oil Changed Regularly

It is recommended that you change your oil every 5,000 miles or six months, whichever comes sooner. You can wait until 7,500 miles though if you opted for the synthetic oil at your last oil change. This simple upkeep measure keeps your truck running smoothly, and if done properly it can help your truck last for years.

• Regular Car Washes

You should also pay close attention to the undercarriage and tires to make sure there are no abnormalities there as well. Wax treatments help to protect your paint and keep it shining and looking new for longer.

Don’t forget the interior when you head to the car wash. Vacuuming, cleaning the surfaces and wiping down leather if you have it will help to extend the interior life. Not only will you stretch out the life of your vehicle, but your ride will be more comfortable if it is nice and clean.

• Check Fluid Levels

There are several different fluid levels you should be keeping up with and checking regularly. These include windshield wiper fluid, transmission fluid, and coolant.

• Tire Pressure and Tread

Checking your tire pressure, especially in the colder months, will help your tires last longer.

• Other Routine Maintenance

There is a list of routine maintenance suggestions included in the manual of every Tundra. They recommend changing out air filters every 30,000 miles as well as checking and replacing the above-mentioned fluids. After 45,000 miles, it is recommended to check out things such as the exhaust pipe and mounting, brake lines and hoses, and the radiator. When your vehicle reaches the 120,000-mile point you should check the spark plugs and the drive belts.

Source: wikipedia, toyotaofkingsport, caranddriver.