Should diff fluid changes be part of maintenance?

I inherited by dad's Tundra that was dealer maintained.

I'm poor so I went to Take5 today and they checked the diff fluid - showed me the plug very black. I asked my mom if they've ever done the change at the dealer and she's never even heard of a differential.

Looking it up on the toyota owner's site and I don't see anything about diff fluid changes. My dad took it to the dealer ever 3 months and he was one to just say yes to scheduled maintenance. But don't see any diff fluid changes, shouldn't this be part of the inspections/dealer maintenance?

There are over 50 records on the site.

 

I do it every 30K!
Easy to do yourself.

 

What do you use? Do you jack the truck up? Do you do the front and rear? IS there more?

 

Is there a maintenance thread I don't know about? the search feature isn't great on here.

 

https://youtube.com/shorts/En4A7k4Tx0k?si=z6QieChIo--IujWj

https://www.tundras.com/threads/diy-front-differential-and-transfer-case-fluid-change.10743/

 

I do Front, Rear and Transfer case every 30K.

Mobil 1 75w90 sythentic for the front and rear 2.2 quart front, 3.8 quart rear.

Washers Front
fill

$14 12157-10010

12157-10010
Drain 90430-24003

Washers Rear
Fill 12157-10010
Drain 12157-10010

Ravenol 75w in transfer case 1.58 Quart off Amazon
No Washers

 

Short answer is yes to the diff fluid changes. Have a 2007 Tundra with 137K. The rear diff fluid is just too easy not to change on a regular basis. Used 3.5 qts Valvoline full synthetic 75W90. If you tow a trailer, change it more often. The rear diff gets dirty fastest. I went 50K on the first fluid changes - rear and front were dirty and the transfer still pretty clean. Next change at 80K - rear was dirty but not bad. Next change at 120K - rear was dirty. Front diff done at 135K and oil was still clean. I agree with ArmyGreen that 30K is just good maintenance. None of my magnets have had more than very light metal dust on them.

 

It's in either the owners manual or the maintenance & warranty book (I forgot which one has the maintenance schedule), but yes, do it every 30k; or 15k if you tow a lot.

I suggest you look into this more because it doesn't make sense that your dad said yes to every service - and it IS in "the book" to service diffs, yet you can't find records of it being done. Dealerships never miss a chance to do a service and charge for it.

 

Maybe I don't know how to read the receipts, but here are a couple screen shots

 

Look for Transfer Case Fluid, Differential Fluid (changes or drain and fills, etc...) Services

I'd look for those service(s) to have been performed around 30k or 60k...

It appears your father requested a brake fluid swap at 75k, so I can't imagine he didn't have the diffs and t-case done (if it's 4WD). If it's 2WD it would just be the rear differential that would need to be serviced.

 

Yeah, looked for that at those intervals and didn't see anything. Perhaps it's just not on the owners site and the details might be in the paper receipts, which I also have. It's 4WD

 

Definitely!!!

 

I'd call the dealer(s) where the vehicles were serviced at and ask them as well. Plus, some dealer receipt summaries don't seem to list out the 'visit' in its entirety, so you may have to click on those links, etc. to find additional details or services provided...

Another way to research is to make an account w/the Toyota Owner's website, which I believe will show service history as well although it may be an abreviated view...

If your research isn't able to confirm or dispel the work, then I'd have them done when you can. As others have said, most of us do fluid swaps in the t-case and diffs every 30k. It should cost you about $600 for all (3) if you're paying someone for labor and fluids (give or take)...

From there, I'd consider repeating that service every 30k (especially if you are towing), but many will do it every 50 or 60k

 

I have screenshots from the Toyota owners site above.

not much detail beyond what’s on the SS.
I’m planning on doing it myself even though the oil is pricey $20 a quart

 

I just did my 2008 again. I had been using Mobil 1 but this time I just bought 2 gallons on Valvoline Synthetic 75w90 for $55/gallon. Basically, takes 2 gallons to do my trucks front, rear, and transfer case. I usually just buy the crush washers off Amazon. There is a guy that sells them by the set. I buy enough to do 4 fluid changes each time I buy them. Never had an issue with them and have been using them for years. I know some newer trucks use something different in the transfer case.

 

Yes, I'm not sure what year there was a change for the transfer case fluid type, but my 2011 and 2008 takes different fluid than the 2021. Make sure you check your owner's manual, etc...


This is what I used in the 2021:

Fluid: Ravenol Gear Oil MTF-3 75W (Ordered 2 liters, capacity 1.58qts)

 

I just did front/rear diff and transfer case on my 2021. Look up "Tool Demos" on YouTube, the guy has a channel and walks you through all the basic maintenance you need. It's really not difficult to do, you will need to just buy a few tools to make the jobs easy, I bought a hand pump from Harbor Freight for $15. Check out the video below for the rear diff.

https://youtu.be/XtBw29bA6ug?si=ievorWIUdzmUFBGl

 

I don't know one fluid in any vehicle that isn't required to be changed at some interval.

 

Just DIY, it's pretty easy and doesn't require any special tools.

Also, the first Diff fluid change will be pretty nasty smelling and there will be metallic crap in it from the gears breaking in when the truck was new.