REDHORSE

Traded my 2011 in for a new 2018 today. The new one feels a ton heavier and goodness, it has a lot of extra doodads on the dash/control panel.

Chocolate

Nice!

Question for you, I remember you stating you used regular gas and had over 100,000 miles using it (I switched to regular about a year into ownership). How many miles did it have when you traded it in? All/most using regular?

REDHORSE

Not me using regular. Always use premium. Had 127,000 miles on the 2011 and would have kept it but the differential lock light started flashing with no action by driver. I fooled around with it but could never get it to engage, just show it was trying to engage. Tried putting it in low range and nothing happened at all. Finally got the flashing differential lock light to stay out and headed to the dealer to trade. Was at the point I was read for the third set of tires, and major service and didn't want the cost of transfer case repair/replace so it is now someone else's problem.

hankinid

...but the issue has been reported more than a few times on MUD.

Your issue was caused by infrequent use of he transfer case low range. The fix is simple...shift into low range every week or so and drive around for a bit. Naturally, the best roads for exercising low range are gravel, not concrete nor asphalt. Replacing the transfer case will not fix the issue, and it's likely to recur. Major issue of your truck is a mall cruiser, and though they do OK in the mall your 200 series also needs to see some time off-road.

As to gasoline type, the BS about using only premium is simply incorrect. The truck's computer is bright enough to adjust engine timing based on gasoline octane...that should be a bit obvious given gas quality in areas other than north America...i.e., in the 200 series' major markets.

hth

Steve

REDHORSE

I'm not going to enter into the fuel debate again. Pointless. Everyone does what they want. I actually used 4 wheel drive more than you might imagine and it has always worked fine. Monthly, probably not, but off road enough over at my daughter's horse farm that it was in and out of low range and center diff locked that I suspect something other than infrequent use.

Besides, the seats on the new one are much more comfortable for my 75 year old behind.

Chocolate

Thanks Redhorse. There was a big thread a while back and I thought it was you who had posted over 100k on reg a few years back and just was looking for an update. Appreciate it.

REDHORSE

Did 700 mile trip this weekend and this car may officially the same series LX, but it is sure a different vehicle. It is more comfortable for one, which was appreciated on a long trip with 4 people. I expected a much harsher ride with the 21" wheels but it didn't prove to be true.

Toys4RJill

I would figure it is cheaper to just repair the transfer case than buy a whole new LX with the same transfer case?

I hear ya. I am absolutely terrified to put either of our SUVs in center diff lock mode, it may never come out. The LX has a mechanical lever to put into 4lo but our 4Runner has an electronic switch. Issue with me is that if it ever goes into 4lo, it might never come out.. Kinda glad you can still get a new 4Runner that has the lever. Honestly, I have never needed to use the center diff, I use my 4Runner for mostly snow driving, weekend driving and the odd time we need it to tow something.