Diff and transfer case fluid change intervals

How long do you run between changes of your differential and transfer case fluids? What does your dealership recommend?

I currently have 32,000kms (19,800 miles) and when booking my oil change the dealership said the recommend changing the diff and transfer case fluids as well. Total bill would be sniffing at $1000. It seems pretty early to be doing this right now, especially since I don't tow heavy or often.

 

That's an insane price.

 

Check your Warranty & Maintenance Guide.

The first mention of doing these three together is at 30,000 miles when doing the following: "Driving while towing, using a car-top carrier, or heavy vehicle loading"

 

If you can turn a wrench and are physically able, you can do it much cheaper. Basically the cost of the fluids and your time. No way I’d do that for 1k. Not even close.

 

30k for front diff and transfer case for most is laughable. The fluid sees very little stress and almost zero contamination if not using the 4wd system often. Every time I change the diff and transfer case fluid it looks brand new. Rear diff is under constant load / use. 30k for heavy use, 60k otherwise is the usual recommendation I believe.

 

30K is pretty reasonable for the rear diff. The transfer case and front diff will be fine going 60K unless you are doing a lot of towing or 4wd use.

Mobil

$39 75w-90 GL-5 Limited Slip, Ultra Long Drain 500k Miles, Manual Transmission, Gear/Differential Lubricant (1 Gallon)

75w-90 synthetic gear oil is inexpensive and very high quality. It will work in both differentials as well as the transfer case. You do not have to use the $100 per qt. Toyota 75w flat weight in the transfer case.

Get a Slippery Pete hand pump to make filling easier. The rear diff can be accessed without this, but the front diff will be almost impossible without using a pump and hose.

Gear oil and pump will cost you less than $150 and the process takes an hour, tops.

 

Thanks for the info guys. I'm gonna have a word with the main service manager when I take the truck in. I think the lady I talked to was looking at the wrong info.

The maintenance manual only calls for inspection at 32,000KMS (19,000miles). I can't find anything related to replacement.

As per https://www.toyota.ca/toyota/en/owners/maintenance-schedule I'm due for Service #3 items, tighten prop shaft bolts and inspect block heater.

I really see no explanation why I'd be changing diff and transfer case fluids this early. Maybe in a year or two when I double my mileage. The only reason why I'm having the dealership do the oil changes is because of the warranty. Once the warranty is up, pretty much all service will be in my garage. I will be talking to the service manager about how DYI service affects my warranty though.

 

Don't know if it applies to the 22+, but do a little more research on the later year gen 2.5. There is information out there complaining about transfer case issues when not using the factory recommendation for gear oil.

 

I’m told the xfer case uses WS ATF. Just like the transmission. The diffs use 75W90. Both are extremely easy. I haven’t done either yet. Fill plug and a drain plug. Remove the fill plug first. It’s fill to spill.

 

Transfer case

 

For 2.5 Gen,

Front and rear Diffs. Manual calls for a 75w oil, meeting the GL-5 Spec. Easy to search, there are many that claim GL-5.

For the transfer case, it just says
Toyota Genuine Transfer Gear oil LF or equivalent
Recommended oil viscosity
SAE 75W

Would that mean the same oil as the diffs?

 

I did my front and rear diffs at 18000 km just to see how much wear there was. The rear diff had a lot more as to be expected. Front looked pretty much brand new. I went with Redline 75w85. Was an easy job and cost me $15 Canadian per quart. Under $100 Canadian for peace of mind.