TOYOTA HILUX

OVERVIEW

Manufacturer: Toyota
Also called: Toyota Pickup (United States)
Production: March 1968 – present

• Body and Chassis

Class: Compact pickup truck (1968–2004); Mid-size pickup truck (2004–present)

HISTORY

The Toyota Hilux (Japanese: Toyota Hairakkusu) (stylized as HiLux and historically as Hi-Lux) is a series of pickup trucks produced and marketed by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota. The majority of these vehicles are sold as pickup truck or cab chassis variants, although they could be configured in a variety of body styles. The pickup truck was sold with the HiLux name in most markets, but in North America, the Hilux name was retired in 1976 in favor of Truck, Pickup Truck, or Compact Truck. In North America, the popular option package, the SR5 (Sport Runabout 5-Speed), was colloquially used as a model name for the truck, even though the option package was also used on other Toyota models, like the 1972 to 1979 Corolla. In 1984, the Toyota Trekker, the camper version of the Hilux, was renamed the 4Runner in Venezuela, Australia and North America, and the Hilux Surf in Japan. In 1995, Toyota introduced a new pickup model, the Tacoma, in North America, thus discontinuing the Hilux/Pickup. The 4Runner is now a full SUV, and the more recent models of the Hilux are separate in appearance from the Tacoma.

SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THE HILUX

Being based on the SR5, the Rugged X comes will a full-house equipment list including leather-accented heated seats, with the driver’s featuring eight-way electric adjustment, a nine-speaker JBL sound system, and a host of driver-assistance systems including adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assistance.

The cabin exhibits typically well-built Toyota functionality, with handy pull-out cupholders and twin gloveboxes for added convenience. The 4.2-inch LCD display between the analogue instruments offers a digital speedometer, as well as a handy wheel-angle display for off-road guidance.

Rear passengers receive a central armrest with cupholders, as well as air vents and the typical Toyota bag hooks.

The MY21 updates include an 8.0-inch touchscreen LCD display in the centre of the dash, which now offers native support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as an improved resolution on the screen.

Worth noting that there is only one USB port in the dash, though, which for 2021 feels a bit light on.

Device projection is a welcome addition, as the Toyota system is still cumbersome to use in places. That said, once you’ve found your radio station or paired your phone, it is very reliable and phone conversations are clear – a case of set-and-forget if ever there were one!

HOW TO MAINTAIN OF YOUR HILUX?

Fixing deep scratches on your used car before the rust forms with something as simple as a dab of touch-up paint will save you endless trouble in the long run.

• Keep it clean

Giving your Toyota Hilux a regular all-round wash is a great way to keep it in the best possible shape and inspect the bodywork and interior for any  wear-and-tear that you can attend to before it becomes a big concern.

Similarly, if you allow brake-dust and road grime to accumulate on your used car’s alloy wheels, it will, over time, leave dark spots or make your used car’s rims appear dull.

It is very important to remember that you should never wash your used Toyota, or any other used car for that matter, with standard dish washing liquid or other household cleaning detergent.

Think about it: If your Toyota Hilux is regularly equipped with clean filters, oil and other lubricants, its engine will operate without any undue strain. This will lead to better fuel consumption and better engine performance in the short term and greater durability in the long term.

• Keep an eye on your tyres

Make it a habit to regularly check your tyre tread and the tyre pressure of your Toyota Hilux.

Inspecting the tyre tread helps you to quickly identify irregular wear patterns, such as wear on the outside of the tyre. If you spot this early enough, you can address it and extend the life of your tyres.

If you see an irregular tread pattern, you may need to check each wheel’s balancing or the alignment between the wheels at an approved tyre fitment centre.

Checking your tyre pressure is equally important. An under-inflated tyre will cause more wear and tear and will increase your vehicle’s fuel consumption. An over-inflated tyre will, in turn, cause uneven wear on the tyre and may negatively influence your vehicle’s steering and wet-weather performance.

• Monitor your fuel economy

Keeping an eye on your fuel economy is a great way of tracking the mechanical integrity of any used vehicle.

By keeping an eye on your tyres, bodywork, fuel economy and by regularly servicing your Toyota Hilux, you can be sure that it will maintain its value very well as a used vehicle and it will give you many years of trouble-free service.

Source: wikipedia, automark, caradvice.