Changing differential fluid

2012 Toyota Tacoma 2 wheel drive how often to change rear diff. Fluid

 

Probably every 30-40k. 30k might be too soon.

there are vehicles out there that under factory maintenance do around 40k. Maybe longer.

it’s two camps. Either you change it or you don’t. Average person doesn’t. And drives around with black brake fluid wondering why their car doesn’t work. Because they never do anything at all or what should be done, at all ever.

 

I did my first one about 17k..then i do every 30 after that.

 

The manual list all required maintenance.

 

Every 30k or deep water crossing is my schedule

 

This is the answer. If you don't have one, download one at the link below.

https://www.toyota.com/owners/warranty-owners-manuals/

 

Change it and based on its age, it'll be kind of dirty. Clean the crap off the drain plug (make sure you can get the fill plug open first), Teflon tape or new crush washer, etc.

Refill.

At the next 30K milestone, take out the fill plug and stick your finger in there. If it's still clean, let it go another 10K, check it again.
Unless you're towing a lot or driving through deep water, it's been my experience that the first change is the most important one. That first one will have the crap in it from when the gears originally 'meshed' together, removing the tiny little machining marks.

After that, the fluid generally lasts longer without getting nasty.

 

Use the new’ish Valvoline full synthetic squishy bags to make the job easier, and better gear fluid.