Gen 2 w 270k miles. What maintenance should i do now?

If you've done zero maintenance on this car for nearly 180k miles, you would have to change everything out. I would start with the basics like changing these items here

1. transaxle fluid
2. coolant (both loops)
3. shocks/struts (pretty sure they're bad at 270k)
4. water pump and belt (most likely leaking)
5. inspect your brakes
6. brake fluid

You probably don't want to do too much with a car that high mileage

 

I wouldn’t do anything to it except maybe move up to a 40 weight oil
Because it may be a magical car.

 

Brakes are supposed to have a full inspection every 30k miles or 3 years If I recall correctly, per Toyota USA.

And after the first times, every 50k miles or 5 years for both coolant circuit changes.

Plugs are every 12 years or 120k miles.

Toyota Canada recommends to change brake fluid every 3 years or 48k kms. Toyota USA says nothing.

I’d second transaxle fluid change ASAP. Neither Toyota US or CDN says squat about it.

 

Do not over-maintain! Seriously. It's a mistake many make. Change the oil, keep good eye in oil level if you know the car uses some. Look at pads and rotors. If worn, replace, if not, leave be. Drive it and enjoy it. I bought my '07 in '17 with 175K on it. It now has 235K and I have changed spark plugs, pads+rotors and transmission fluid. I believe that is all. I am not mentioning tires and cabin filters, those are replaced as needed. I also do a Prolong battery conditioning once a year. Still on original battery with no signs of weakness. I love this car!

 

I recommend a bit more of a brake inspection than just "look at pads and rotors", on a regular schedule. Doesn't cost you anything but time, and not much of that if you combine it with tire rotation, as I do. If in a given inspection you find anything needing replacement, like as not it will be something quite cheap like the "fitting kit" (little springy clips) at around $15, and most times you won't even need those. Keeping up with the inspections gives you the best chance that you won't have to fuss with the pads or rotors for a good long time.

 

I generally check slide pins on the front brake calipers and have taken to cleaning and re-lubing them. But I don't think it's strictly necessary if proper grease is used. Good to look over since seized up pins will cause an untimely demise of the pads and rotors.

 

About the most I ever do with the slide pins is pull and push on them a couple times, plus look carefully at the condition of their rubber boots. Usually they will feel rather stiff on the first pull/push, but it only takes a couple more to re-awaken the grease and they move smoothly and greasily and just fine. Only if that doesn't happen, or if I spot a crack or tear in the rubber, would I bother taking them out, cleaning the old grease out, and adding new (and replacing the rubber, if a crack or tear was the reason).

But there's plenty more to check than just slide pins. The goal of inspection isn't so much to do any particular maintenance to any particular part, as simply to check all the possible trouble spots and notice whether there is anything that ought to be done. Most inspections will be completed with a parts cost of $0.

 

For the pros too, except they’ll charge you $20~25 extra for “shop supplies” ON TOP OF the quoted price. In the same league as airport “fuel surcharge” or “improvement” charge; basically a way to print money.

 

for
2. would a drain and flush do the trick or do you reccomend a full change?
3. any recommendations?

 

For the coolant, it's only a drain and refill. No flushing.

The shocks and struts, you can buy the OEM Toyota ones for the best ride comfort (and the prices are very similar to aftermarket ones if you buy from Toyota online websites like parts.longotoyota.com). Many have purchased aftermarket KYB branded ones and they do the job just fine (although slightly stiffer ride)