Change diff oil on new truck

I've ordered a new truck, something I've never done in my life and will not likely repeat.


Should I change the rear differential oil after the first couple thousand kms?

What about the transmission oil?

 

I changed both after the first factory recommended interval and continued that way. Been OK for the past 223,000 km.

Knowing what I know now, I would have started changing my own gear oil sooner. Dealer labour is expensive for something you can do yourself (drain and fill gear oil), if you enjoy doing it.

 

No reason to change it early.

 

I change mine every 30k, the EASY way is to get a five gallon bucket of gear lube and put a hand pump on top...

I spend about $100 a YEAR on gear lube and haven't failed a gear box, tcase or transmission is decades...

Howard

 

I just changed my differential and transfer case oil today at 15k miles. The rear differential oil was questionable looking and the front differential oil wasn't much better. Both the magnetic drain plugs had what looked like a black gooey mushroom on them. The transfer case oil looked almost new when I drained it, so doing that early may not be necessary. I went with Valvoline full synthetic gear oil. I plan on doing it again at 30k miles. You can get a good deal on a full case of oil on Amazon.

Changing the gear oil is only slightly harder than changing motor oil. Grease all the drive shaft zerks while you're down there.

 

How do you define questionable looking?

 

I had my rear differential oil changed at my 30k service.Following the intervals i thought it was necessary after doing a overwhelming amount of towing in the conditions that are listed in our service/maintenance manuel.Very dusty and off road conditions during the time i was towing in Utah.

 

Questionable: The oil had milky white and brown streaks when I drained it. Also the aforementioned goo on the drain plugs.

 

You had water in there...have you done any fording lately?

Howard