ToyotaTacoma PRE Runner2008L4/toyota/tacoma-pre-runner/2008/l4/

2008 Toyota Tacoma PRE Runner — L4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Tacoma PRE Runner L4.

Body TRUCKEngine L4Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2008 Toyota Tacoma PRE Runner L4 is a midsize truck built on Toyota’s body‑on‑frame platform and powered by a four‑cylinder engine mated to a four‑speed automatic transmission. It returns an EPA combined rating of 21 mpg (19 city/25 highway) and requires 4.8 quarts of 5W‑30 API oil for each change. Owner reports show 445 complaints, with suspension issues leading the list, and the model was subject to 11 recalls. Those figures place the 2008 PRE Runner among the more complaint‑prone Tacoma years, suggesting buyers should scrutinize suspension components and recall compliance before purchase.

Model year201120102009200820062005

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.8 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque83 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy19/25/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 585 CCA battery, OE oil filter 90915YZZD3. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnFUSEOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZD3 alt 90915YZZD1
Engine air filter178010P010 alt 178010C040
Fuel filter7702404010
Spark plug9091901191
Front wiper blades8522204030 alt 8521204031
Serpentine belt90916A2001 alt 9091602708
Thermostat9091603093 alt 1632631050
Cabin air filter8850801010

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length208.3 in
Overall width74.8 in
Overall height70.1 in
Wheelbase128 in
Curb weight3948 lb
Track (front / rear)63.4 / 63.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined19 / 25 / 21 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.8 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 83 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 30.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity2.1
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.8 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.5 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs10MM Bolts: 7 ft-lbs, 12MM Bolts: 18 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts192 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts185 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts61 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug30.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs7 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)37.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket89.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle89.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket89.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts83 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug27.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug27.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub173 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Timing8-12, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.25-1.38 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.50 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Pressure Test17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum40.8 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum41.7 psi

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle90 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket65 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle80 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle91 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0028 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.866 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9018 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 20,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap O-Ring (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2008 Toyota Tacoma PRE Runner lead in one area — the suspension, 97 of 445 reports (22%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the suspension are also the target of recall 14V-604 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming it was actually performed. 48 of the reports describe a crash and 6 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the suspension pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

11
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
330
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
445
Owner complaints
48 involved a crash · 6 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 445 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension97
Vehicle Speed Control67
Structure47
Steering31
Unknown Or Other28
Air Bags20
Power Train15
Service Brakes, Hydraulic13

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 11 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

14V743000Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/CoolerReported 19/11/2014

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4… Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The…

14V604000Suspension:Rear:Springs:Leaf Spring Assembly:LeafReported 29/09/2014

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Toyota Tacoma Pre-Runner and 4x4 vehicles manufactured September 14, 2009, to October 11, 2010. In the affected vehicles, one… Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and dealers will install new rear leaf spring assemblies. The recall began on January 29, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 330 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0055-24 Rev22026-01-07Unknown Or OtherSome 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…
T-SB-0035-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…
T-SB-0038-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureTo prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film…
T-SB-0039-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureThe condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the…
T-SB-0061-23 Rev22024-12-05StructureToyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Tacoma PRE Runner. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 Tacoma PRE Runner L4 take?

4.8 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 Tacoma PRE Runner have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the L4 get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined mpg.