20,000 mile oil change question

I do agree with stevie though, there are alot of recs that are case by case, but there are others that we would recommend at normal intervals. In the end, as i tell many customers, it is your decision as to what you want to do or dont want to do to your vehicle.

 

I've been trying to get a firm answer on this. I took my truck to my servicing dealer to have both diffs fluids swapped. My dealer told me it didn't need to be done until 60K cause I have the TRD OR with a locking diff, not a limited slip. He stated the 30K mile interval is for the Sport model or a model with the LSD. Looking in my service manual, I can see where that would be vague, it says if you have the LSD, then 30K. 60K for a normal diff fluid change.

 

The Amsoil in my atv is 4 yo I love the stuff. Ran it in the old 99 taco 4X4 and will be using it in my 07 when I pass the 60K mark. I would never put over 15k on it in the Fla. heat... Jim

 

I see what you are talking about, but as it goes, its case by case, i personally replace my diff fluid @ 30k and would recommend it to others, i have seen some pretty nasty stuff come out of the diffs that go longer than 30k per service, its extremely easy to do for a DIYer, but i would also include the transfer case while i m there. And it really doesnt cost much to do it.

 

What should i expect to pay to have both diffs swapped and the transfer case as well?

 

At my dealer, i believe they are $50 each, but if you have the time, it only takes a little while to drain and fill them in your driveway, as long as you have the right tools and about 9 things of gear oil, give or take.

 

Im on toyo # 5 going back to the 80. Always changed out my drive line fluid's at 30k... Never lost anything under the truck's from poor care. A good tech. can tell by STICKEN his finger in the pumpkin and putting the eye's and nose on the fluid if its time to change it or not. I have pm'ed Jason and he is not a BS cat. I know my truck better then most but in Orl. if I'm lost, Jason will be under my hood!!! Jim

 

Thanks jim, i really appreciate the nice comments. Always here to try to help, if i'm not sure, i always have the toyota info right here on the computer.

 

Thanks Jim and Jason. On previous vehicles, I too have never had a mechanical failure due to lack of maintenance. I had a 99 Jeep Wrangler that only had oil changes, no diff or transfer case fluid swaps. Jeep has 180K miles on it and still runs strong. Sold that Jeep to a buddy of mine 4 years ago, and accrording to him, still hasn't had any issues. I'm probably going to swap both diffs and transfer case fluid here sooon, but I'm not worried since I don't tow or off-road. I think the biggest thing to take from the whole discussion is do the maintenance required based on your driving pattern.

 

I know you have seen it first hand alot of tech's stand ass deep in BS. IF YOU CAN STAND THE YOU WILL BE A BIG HELP TO TW.... Dont let the A'hole's get under your skin and it's a way cool place to hang. Welcome, Jim

 

My old AF pal's are maint. retentive.. 180k WTF MAN oh i get it you wanted it to die so the wife would let you get the taco Jim

 

lol. I'm maintenance by trade as well, so I know all about following checklists. The Jeep was sold to a buddy of mine when I was stationed in England. He took the Jeep back to New Mexico, and I bought a Trailblazer when I got back to the States in 2005. Let's just say the Tralblazer didn't work out and I got rid of it after 16 months and bought the Taco. From that experience, it would take some time to go back to GM. That Wrangler 4.0 was all but bullet proof. Eventhough I don't care for Chrysler, that Jeep was a pretty solid vehicle. I can't say the same about the newer models though. They seem to watered down.

 

I think everythink is not what it used to be even our taco's.. What part of England. My dad was A.F. W.O. at Upper Hayford in the late 50's. The fam. spent 3 y's there nice place.

 

Please advance me the $270. I will fly down and do your oil change then you can point me to the women throwing beads off balconies. Thanks. Oh, never mind that's Nola.

 

The TRD Sport has a clutch type LS rear diff. The Offroad has a a locking diff that reminds me of a shifter rail in a stick trans but is actuated by a solenoid.The clutches wear in the Sport diff so changing the oil at 30k may be a good idea.There are no clutches in the OR diff so 60k changes are more reasonable. To the original question; Ask the dealer what the list is of stuff done for $270 and pick what you want to pick. Remember that all car/truck manufacturers are trying to cut the cost of ownership for 100,000 miles for advertizing purposes.Over the last 5-6 years especially they have drastically reduced the recommended maintenance on the vehicles to keep costs down. BUT, these reductions are quite often done from one model year to the next even when there is NO mechanical change to the vehicle. I think that they are sometimes playing the odds as to how long they can go w/o fluid changes. For instance, I am sure that most all modern differentials can get 100,000 miles on the original oil.But I am not doing that to my car/truck!

 

I spoke with one of my local dealers about changing the tranny fluid with the WS fluid, and they told me unless there are extreme circumstances like towing often, TOO NEVER CHANGE IT. That's great, but I still don't feel comfortable with that. So I proceeded and asked what the cost and what they do. They said it's just a drain and fill for $160. They wouldn't even replace the filter. Other than this I feel good about the change intervals toyota recomends. I would like to do this myself. But lack the thermometer to check tranny temp, and am unsure of how accurate the jumper shifter method is. I do think I will change the fluid out at either 60k or I might do it at 100k, depends on if I notice any thing strange. I am very curious as to the list toyota is gonna give the OP for the recomended maint that's costing $250. When I was doing the toyota care, everything was free and they never recomended anything to me. So I await the list OP.

 

Not to hijack this thread but I've been watching some of your posts Jason and i must say your a breath of fresh air.

With the new kids coming into the business most could care less about self respect and honesty. I see it all the time. They want the big money. Been trying all my life to change the stigma of a Dealership. Having customers follow me when i changed location for over 39 years means the world to me.
One thing you will never do is change that Stigma. However, what you can do is keep thinking the way you are now. When you get customers that want you and only you and trust you to work on their vehicle, there's no greater feeling. You have peoples lives in your hands. There are some I wouldn't let them work on my lawn mower.

It's not an easy road as you know. Just keep your bay the one that's honest.
Good Luck

 

Thank you for that. I have tried since day one, 13 yrs ago to always treat my customers as if they are family. It does feel great when the customers come in and say they want me to work on their cars or they referr me to their friends and they show up and ask for me not even knowing who i am. I dont have all the answers, but they know i will do whatever i can to figure out the probelm.