Replace front and rear differential oil beginning at 15,000 miles?

[Muckle]

The maintenance schedule indicates replacing the front and rear differential oil at 15,000-mile intervals, beginning at the 15k mark, if towing. I somehow missed this; I'm approaching 23,000 miles and tow frequently, albeit a light trailer.

The process seems pretty straight forward. I've only been able to locate YouTube videos for the 3rd gen but I don't assume it is radically different.

Has anyone done this? Any surprises?

Manual calls for Toyota Genuine Differential Gear Oil LT 75W-85 GL-5 or equivalent; it seems something like this should be a sufficient replacement, correct?

Sponsored

 

[MT-Taco]

The maintenance schedule indicates replacing the front and rear differential oil at 15,000-mile intervals, beginning at the 15k mark, if towing. I somehow missed this; I'm approaching 23,000 miles and tow frequently, albeit a light trailer.

The process seems pretty straight forward. I've only been able to locate YouTube videos for the 3rd gen but I don't assume it is radically different.

Has anyone done this? Any surprises?

Manual calls for Toyota Genuine Differential Gear Oil LT 75W-85 GL-5 or equivalent; it seems something like this should be a sufficient replacement, correct?

Yep that’ll do!

 

[LincolnSixAlpha]

Not sure if I'm up on that 15k change interval myself. I'm sitting @ almost 25K and I'm just now planning on getting it done.

 

[MT-Taco]

Just hit 30k doing mine soon

 

[MT-Taco]

 

[Andrace]

I changed all gear oils at 5k because break-in doesn't only apply to engines, and the goal is 200k+, and I was surprised by how dark the differential oil was at 5k. I will probably go to 10K intervals on gear oils, brake fluid every two years, and coolant every 4.

I DIY engine oil roughly every three months, so 2.5 -3k mi intervals, and my other toyota/scion still has perfect compression (217psi) and cylinder crosshatch at 200k.

I'm sure I can extend all those intervals and probably get away with it, but it's CHEAP peace of mind.

 

[chasea1989]

The maintenance schedule indicates replacing the front and rear differential oil at 15,000-mile intervals, beginning at the 15k mark, if towing. I somehow missed this; I'm approaching 23,000 miles and tow frequently, albeit a light trailer.

The process seems pretty straight forward. I've only been able to locate YouTube videos for the 3rd gen but I don't assume it is radically different.

Has anyone done this? Any surprises?

Manual calls for Toyota Genuine Differential Gear Oil LT 75W-85 GL-5 or equivalent; it seems something like this should be a sufficient replacement, correct?

That gear oil should work. The process is really straightforward as you mentioned. Remove the fill plug, remove drain plug, let it drain, install drain plug, fill until gear oil starts overflowing from the fill plug, install fill plug and you're done. I haven't really looked, but if the 4th gens still use a 24mm fill/drain plugs, a low profile 24mm oil filter socket and long handle ratchet work really well for removing the plugs.

 

[GPTaco]

Just had this done at my last service, they also changed my transfer case fluid which is a special blend of oil and stupid expensive

 

[Andrace]

Just had this done at my last service, they also changed my transfer case fluid which is a special blend of oil and stupid expensive

I think they got you, the transfer case calls for regular driveline fluid, and not much of it. It should have been a CHEAP spill and fill.

 

[izzy]

I think they got you, the transfer case calls for regular driveline fluid, and not much of it. It should have been a CHEAP spill and fill.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/toyota-transfer-gear-oil-75w-voa.269462/#post-4561879

I don't think it's quite that simple.

Every 30k miles, $60-90 of fluid isn't that big of a deal especially since Toyotas formula is specifically designed for TC.

 

[Andrace]

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/toyota-transfer-gear-oil-75w-voa.269462/#post-4561879

I don't think it's quite that simple.

Every 30k miles, $60-90 of fluid isn't that big of a deal especially since Toyotas formula is specifically designed for TC.

 

[TX-MD]

Thanks for posting this maintenance chart Izzy. Did my 2 oil change at 5k mi recently, trying to stay cool with all forum members here based on experiences.

 

[GPTaco]

I think they got you, the transfer case calls for regular driveline fluid, and not much of it. It should have been a CHEAP spill and fill.

Newer models use 75W synthetic product for the t case. I confirmed this with the shop lead at my dealer.
Toyota has a lock on this product, no aftermarket option available in Canada.

 

[Andrace]

Newer models use 75W synthetic product for the t case. I confirmed this with the shop lead at my dealer.
Toyota has a lock on this product, no aftermarket option available in Canada.

Watch that segment I shared from the car care nut.
Sure Toyota uses a single weight oil for the TC, but it's not required.

 

[BearTacos]

I changed all gear oils at 5k because break-in doesn't only apply to engines, and the goal is 200k+, and I was surprised by how dark the differential oil was at 5k. I will probably go to 10K intervals on gear oils, brake fluid every two years, and coolant every 4.

I DIY engine oil roughly every three months, so 2.5 -3k mi intervals, and my other toyota/scion still has perfect compression (217psi) and cylinder crosshatch at 200k.

I'm sure I can extend all those intervals and probably get away with it, but it's CHEAP peace of mind.

To each their own but with today's fluid technology, other than the coolant interval you suggested thats a huge waste of money, natural resources and added pollutants. Buy a high quality fluid / grease and youll be fine. Ive ran many triaxle dump trucks, dozens, excavators 1 ton , 2 ton trucks loaded down and have never had a component failure due to excessive wear from fluid breakdown or contamination.

Edited as I do agree with early break in oil changes. I also have equipment in fluid analysis program during warranty and haven't seen anything that would make me continue to change at really low intervals. I run Scaeffers or CenPeco fluids if the weight and spec is available. If not usually manufacturer stuff.

Sponsored