Gear oil input...

I have a 2012 that has 17k and I believe toyota recommends changing the rear end and diff oil at 30k. I am going to use Amsoil severe gear so my question is is there any benefit to changing now or should I wait until I hit 30k?? I don't offroad and I tow a small utlilty trailer...thanks

 

Well i don't have any scientific knowledge but can offer my opinion. If i wasn't so lazy i would change all my fluids at 10000 to get those break in shavings out. Im an engineer so im a little OCD on some things. all my power equipment gets changes early on and it has merit as they are full of shavings. Some people will talk of needing to WEAR in the equipment (gears included), but todays tolerances and machining are so good that the parts that come from the factory are just about optimum. One execption, piston rings that obviously have to wear to a point.

 

DO NOT WAIT.

they should honestly tell you to change it at 5k, then every 30-40k after that. I changed mine at 5k mi on the ODO, and it was N A S T Y! Change it asap, your pinion and diff carrier bearings will thank you.

 

I change mine every other oil change.

I waited too long and beat up on the truck and welded tabs.. all without changing rear diff fluid. 3rd member grenaded on the freeway..

Now I change every 15-20k miles.

 

Run synthetic and you can go longer between change cycles. Not just my opinion but that of a Chevron Oil rep. Personally I have great success with Red Line synthetic- heres a few of highlights I have noticed with out all the details. My CJ7 with 4 cyl- had noticeable change after changing trans. transfer-case and rear end fluids. Both this and other vehicles shifted smoother. I race SCCA on occasion and met a guy with a dyno shop said only oil that he saw register in the dyno a net HP gain. I know that my CJ-7 had a higher top speed after the oil change.

.02 cents

Dan

 

I also stepped up from

$30 75w-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75w-90 synthetic to 75w-140 synthetic.

I drive harder than most people so the higher temp allowances should net for better wear.

 

Thanks guys I have decided to change all the fluids ASAP. I used Amsoil in my 1st gen and it worked well but I see a lot of people have good things to say about Redline. RL seems to be cheaper and easier to get so what is your opinion about the quality?

 

RL is good (used it in the race car one time) but it's really just another boutique lubricant that has a proprietary additive package.

Mobil 1, readily available almost everywhere on the shelf, and with a sale, reasonable pricing, has worked just fine for me. (not affiliated, yada yada)

Since you don't really abuse the driveline (a light trailer is not abuse), you won't get any real value out of syn unless you extend the drain intervals beyond OE recommendations.

Just using the correct wt and SAE grade of a quality lubricant will serve it well.

 

yeah moms 4 runner went 100k on stock diff fluid (this was unknown to me) and next thing was a bad hum.... pinion bearings and diff bearings had to be replaced... 900 bucks later.

 

changed my diff fluid @ 200,000 kms when i did my rear axle seals didnt seem too bad. still going strong now.

 

Owners manual recommends 30K miles. If you do it sooner...it's completely up to you and how much time & money you want to put into buying the oil.

I changed mine for the first time at 26k miles. I did it early only because of timing. Between a shitty work schedule and the winter was coming....I did it early while the temps were still warm. I use Mobile 1.

 

Changed my rear diff fluid at 45k miles. Fluid was black and there was same metal on the magnet, but I wouldn't say it is too much. However there was a long metal shaving coiled like a spring. I used

$30 Mobil 1 75w90 Mobil 1 104361 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

Mobil 1 75w90 because it was easy to find locally. If I had time I would order Amsoil Severe Gear and wait for it to come.

 

I've used Amsoil Severe Gear in the vette.... did exactly what I wanted it to do and I can't complain.

I used Redline in the Jeep ...and it also did exactly what I wanted it to do with no complaints.

Around here...Amsoil is a PITA to get unless you know a friend who's a dealer. Redline isn't easy to get either (not stocked on store shelves). Mobile 1 is the easiest to get. I have no idea what the others cost.... and I don't have time to be shopping around and driving all over town just to save a couple buks.

 

You are in New York, which means road salt will eat your frame before the rear diff reaches half life, based on normal usage.

 

Did my gear oils myself after Toyota refused to cover it under Toyotacare Plus during my 30k service. The front and rear diffs were pretty murky and the rear had some tiny metal shavings on the plug (from the factory drilling out the plugs supposedly). Transfer case didn't need it at all, oil was pristine. I used

$30 Mobil 1 75w-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

Mobil 1 75w-90 full synth.

 

Change the front diff for sure. The fluid in my front diff was dark and watery at 22,000. Rear was slightly darker than new oil; not too bad. I used RedLine 75w-85 which is what my 2014 uses per the manual. I'll change the transfer case at 30,000.