Which LandCruiser engine do you have?
| Where you'll find it | What to do about timing | |
|---|---|---|
| 1HZ 4.2-litre diesel | 80 Series, 100 Series 105 variant | Check the service book |
| 1HD-FTE 4.2-litre turbo-diesel | 100 Series from October 2000, HDJ79 from 2002 | Check the service book |
| 1VD-FTV 4.5-litre V8 diesel | 200 Series, 70 Series | Check the service book |
| 2UZ-FE V8 petrol | 100 and early 200 Series | Check the service book |
| 1UR-FE 4.6-litre V8 petrol | 200 Series from 2012 | Uses timing chains |
| F33A-FTV 3.3-litre V6 diesel | 300 Series from 5 October 2021 | Check the service book |
Why we won't guess on the diesels
The engine references we read confirm the UR family's chains, and stop short on the others. Plenty of owners will tell you what theirs has, and they might be right, but a wrong answer here is an expensive one. The schedule in your Warranty and Service Book lists a timing belt if your engine has one.
Failing that, a mechanic who works on LandCruisers will know at a glance, and can check the service history for when it was last done. On a high-kilometre 80 or 100 Series with thin records, get that question answered early. The timing belt or chain guide has the background.
Toyota LandCruiser service schedule
CarExpert names the LandCruiser among Toyota's six-month or 10,000 km models, and Toyota told it those intervals exist because Australian conditions can be harsh. A 300 Series pulling a van through summer earns every one of them. A town-only wagon still has the same six-month rule to meet.
Beyond the oil and filters, a LandCruiser has a transfer case, front and rear diffs, and in many cases a heavy tow load. Ask for those oils to be checked or changed when the book says, and give the mechanic the full picture: bull bar, lift, drawers, second battery, van weight. If your mechanic follows Toyota's schedule and specifications, that doesn't by itself void the new car warranty.
Recalls and what owners ask about
CarsGuide reported 11,019 2025 LandCruiser 300 Series recalled in February 2026 for a transmission control module programming issue that can cause power loss and fluid leaks. Check your VIN on vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
On older cars, CarsGuide's reader answers point to heat and towing. A 200 Series that lost power towing uphill, and another that wouldn't shift above fourth, both sounded like limp-home mode (the computer protecting the car by cutting power). If that's yours, ease off, stop somewhere safe and let it cool, then see limp mode. One owner's car isn't a pattern, but it's a sensible place to begin. A local mechanic who specialises in your car.
What we'd do with a LandCruiser
Treat the service book as the first document you open, for the timing question and the six-month rhythm alike. Then pick a mechanic who works on big diesels and 4WDs often, and tell them exactly what the car carries and tows. On a recent 300 Series, check that recall before your next long trip.