How often should I be changing Rear Diff fluid?

UPDATE: Based on your replies, I will be changing my rear diff fluid about every 75k miles. The main reason I made this post is because I bought the truck at 75k miles, now at 120k, and do not know if it has ever been changed. Thanks for all your replies!

Hi guys, so I did use the search for this, but I found too many different results. With this being said, it would be appreciated if I could get you guys’ opinions.

I have a 2011 Prerunner (2wd) V6 WITH rear lockers. I was just wondering how often you guys think I should be doing a rear diff fluid change. I do not off road, but it is my daily driver. Stays on pavement, mainly highway miles. Also, I would like to stay with the original brand and weight that Toyota uses from the factory if anyone knows what that is off of the top of their head. I’m sure it’s in manual but I am not able to check yet. Thanks in advance for all replies!

 

from new. Change at 5k miles to get break in oil out. Then every 30k after that. 20 bucks of oil is well worth it for preventative maintenance IMO.

If you have never changed the rear oil out... do it ASAP.

 

1-2k for the first change and than 30k intervals after that. Same for front diff, man trans, and transfer case.

 

If you go a lot of water it's nice to know if any got in. Change it as much as you want but I'd think it's good for 50K easy.

I've seen a LOT of trucks go 100's of 1000's unchanged.

 

Thanks for your reply. I do plan to change ASAP as when I bought my truck I doubt it was done. Do you know the brand and or weight Toyota uses from the factory?

 

https://www.toyota.com/owners/resources/warranty-owners-manuals/tacoma/2011

 

for your truck

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

75w-90 of any flavor will do (LSD additive not needed but wont hurt anything). If you plan on changing it on the 30k interval cheapie walmart supertech oil will do just fun, closer to 60k, then maybe Mobil 1.

 

I should not have front diff or transfer case as I have 2wd. Thanks for your reply!

 

Awesome, thanks!

 

I understand 75w-85 is what the factory specs. but this is sometimes hard to find (Canada) so most will do the

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

75w 90. I usually change mine every 30K or every two years what every comes first. Like to keep tabs on what happening in my diff(s) and tc.
Good Luck....make sure if and when you do this project you pickup some replacement washers as well.
PS: always remove the fill plug first....then the drain plug (if its your first time / apply some PB Blaster penetrating spray or equivalent first and let work before trying to remove plugs)

 

^ This, also use a 6-pointed socket on the plugs as it's less likely to strip and they're often VERY tight from the factory. Both are 24mm.

 

Thanks for your reply!

 

I went 75k on my last rear diff fluid change. It had no more dust on the magnet than when I first changed it at 60k. I’ll wait til I hit 200k miles on the truck before it’s next change. I don’t tow or race the truck.
Change as often as you like, but I’m sure every 30k is more often than necessary unless you’re beating the absolute snot out of your truck.

 

Just did mine for the first time at 215k and it was still fine. Nasty, but gear oil is that way when new. Unless you get the diff underwater it'll be fine at least 100k. You do you though.

 

My rear diff's first oil change was at 30K miles and it looked horrible and smelled even worse. I know, gear oil has an odor but this was beyond normal. T-case & front diff were both clean and got changed anyway. I know your PreRunner doesn't have 'em, I just added that info for comparison. Anyway, subsequent rear diff oil changes have been normal, nothing like the first one. I used Mobil-1 75W90; other brands will work just fine too.

 

I do mine every 2 years

 

Like OP, my Tacoma is a daily driver on concrete. I don't tow, off-road (farm fields or oil roads in past) or drive in dusty conditions on a daily basis. I didn't change out my fluids (other than engine oil of course) until 80,000 miles and they all looked good except front differential which had a tad of white color in fluid. Water maybe? I'll change them all again in 30 or 40,000 miles. Toyota recommends: 75W-85 GL-5 in both differentials for my 2012. I used Redline Products.

https://www.redlineoil.com/gear-oil-for-differentials

 

Used to do mine every 30k but realized it was unnecessary, being that I don’t off-road or tow. Every 60k now, only for peace of mind.

 

My 2008 Tacoma has a clutch type LSD, and Toyota recommends that oil be changed every 30K miles. I use Redline synthetic oil in both my diff and manual transmission.

One huge tip for the first timers: always remove the fill port plug first! What you don't want to discover is that it's stuck after you drained the oil. You want to make sure you can remove it before removing the drain plug...lol

Generally speaking, these shouldn't be difficult to remove, but all bets are off if your truck has been serviced at a Toyota dealership. They seem to make it their duty to over-torque every drain plug. They've done it on every oil change. Have heard similar things from express type oil change centers...if they remember to refill your oil...lol

 

I had two 1st gen tundra work trucks that hauled or carried light loads nearly every day of their life that both went 300K, and the same scenario with a straight-six F-150 that went 400K, all still on the road with the original diff fluid when they left my possession.

Not advocating it and won't be repeating it with future vehicles, just putting it out there...