--- title: "Million-Mile 2008 Toyota Tacoma Is a Reminder to Change Your Dang Oil" description: "This 2008 Toyota Tacoma has covered 1.1 million miles and only needed a few minor repairs, like a new alternator." date: "2022-11-29" modified: "2022-11-29" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/million-mile-2008-toyota-tacoma-is-a-reminder-to-change-your-dang-oil" categories: - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Toyota News" - "Trucks" --- # Million-Mile 2008 Toyota Tacoma Is a Reminder to Change Your Dang Oil ![]() *\LEKSFIXIT via Facebook\* The [Toyota]() Tacoma has a reputation for being nearly indestructible. It's one of the reasons why it's such a popular truck. However, it's an astonishing achievement when any car reaches 1.1 million miles, no matter what badge is on the trunk—or in this case, the tailgate. That's what's amazing about this 2008 [Tacoma]() in Arizona, which made it so far thanks to relentless routine maintenance and quality parts. The Tacoma has been cared for by one shop—[LEKSFIXIT in Tempe]()—for the past 700,000 miles. As shop owner Sasa Bolesnikov tells me, they've done little more than regular oil changes every 5,000 miles. The Tacoma has been fed a steady diet of Mobil synthetic 5W30, even though the owner's manual doesn't call for synthetic oil, and it's monitored incessantly. An alternator replacement, new timing chain, and timing chain guides are the closest this Toyota has come to a major job. The shop says that only OEM parts are used, which surely helps. The clutch was replaced hundreds of thousands of miles ago by another garage, but again, it's holding on pretty dang well. Aside from those repairs, the Tacoma is bone stock. It's a 2.7-liter four-cylinder model with a five-speed manual, so it's just about the simplest example you could buy in 2008. And simple is best when you're talking durability and reliability. With only 159 horsepower, it was never the quickest or most exciting pickup on the road, but I'd argue being able to drive 1.1 million miles without any real problems is even more exhilarating than speed. One of the more common issues with Tacomas is rust, but with this being an Arizona truck, it likely doesn't have much, if any. ![]() The well-used rig's odometer is maxed out at 999,999 miles. To keep track, the owner has to use the trip computer to calculate the running mileage. The shop reached out to Toyota for a new gauge cluster but wasn't able to get one—[you'd think that's something Toyota could help out with by now](), considering this is just the latest odo to hit seven figures. If this were my truck, I don't think I'd ever get rid of it. How could anyone part ways with something that's been [so reliable for so long]()? Who knows—with enough TLC, maybe it'll even hit two million miles. *Have tips? Send 'em over to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()