Kei Truck Maintenance Schedule (2026)
Japanese mini trucks are some of the most reliable vehicles ever built. Follow this schedule and yours will run forever.
Every 3,000 Miles (5,000 km)
- Oil + filter change (5W-30 or 10W-30 conventional or synthetic blend)
- Check tire pressure
- Visual under-hood inspection
- Check coolant level
Every 6,000 Miles
- Tire rotation
- Brake inspection (pads, rotors, lines)
- Air filter check (replace if dirty)
- Top off fluids: brake, power steering, washer
Every 12,000 Miles
- Replace air filter
- Replace fuel filter
- Inspect belts + hoses
- Check exhaust system
Every 60,000 Miles — The Critical Service
- Timing belt replacement (CRITICAL — this is an interference engine)
- Water pump (replace with timing belt)
- Tensioner pulleys (replace with timing belt)
- Spark plugs (NGK BPR6ES for most models)
- Coolant flush + refill
Every 100,000 Miles
- Transmission fluid flush (manual or automatic)
- Differential oil change (both front + rear if 4WD)
- Transfer case oil change
- Brake fluid flush
What to Watch For on Older Mini Trucks
- Rust: Bed corners, wheel wells, frame rails — especially Hijet (used heavily in salt-air Japan)
- CV joint boots: Tear easily, replace boots not whole joints
- Brake lines: Steel lines corrode after 20+ years
- Carburetor (older models): Annual cleaning recommended
- Fuel pump: 25+ year-old original pumps often weak
Recommended Tools to Keep On Hand
- Metric socket set (8mm-22mm covers everything)
- Oil filter wrench (specific to Suzuki/Honda)
- Torque wrench (timing belt requires 80 ft-lb on crank)
- OBD-II reader (post-1996 models)
Need Parts?
Browse our parts catalog — we stock OEM and aftermarket for all major kei truck models.