Toyota Lexus AWD Transfer Case & Rear Differential Fluid Change: Do it Right?!

[@profsg]

Links to parts and tools used in the video: * Gear Oil 75W-85 GL-5: t.ly/UrWGu * Genuine Toyota Gaskets (12157-10010): ebay.us/bpfnuR * Fluid Pump: ebay.us/cOvsSX * Fluid Extractor / Syringe: ebay.us/1lrNOx * U-Joint Socket Adaptor: ebay.us/lpKXL6

[@Waspytcu]

Had my transmission fluid, Rear diff fluid, transfer case fluid all changed today and had brake lines flushed for $550. Such a relief to have that done after buying a used car to calibrate my ‘knowledge’ of fluid changes. Would have also had the radiator flushed but CARFAX indicate this was already done about 2k miles ago. Great video, thanks for all the info, I’ve watched this video about 20 times 🤣

[@profsg]

Great job staying on top of the maintenance! Glad the video was helpful, and thank you for the support!

[@broodyking]

thank you!!! I I feel like I won against the dealerships after watching this. I will be able to take good care of my high mileage GS 350 now ❤

[@profsg]

You are welcome! Glad it helped!

[@jake2772]

Great video! Same oil is used for the transfer case and the rear differential?

[@profsg]

You bet! The same gear oil is used for both according to the owner manual.

[@Dennis-tu5gw]

Great simple video...why do you change these fluids every 30K?. Lexus manual says every 15K if traveling on dirt roads or heavy loads....but never mentions changing under normal driving.? I'm at 65K on my '15 RX350....and 48K on my '01 RX300...comments?

[@profsg]

Thanks for the question! Yes, Lexus recommends a 15k-mile interval for special driving conditions, e.g. "when driving while towing, using a car-top carrier, or heavy vehicle loading." My recommendation is an extrapolation of the language here combined with the common practice of a 30k mile gear oil change. I've reviewed numerous "historic" recommendations made by Toyota on older generations of vehicles, and concluded that you can multiple the "heavy-loading" interval by a factor of 1.5 to 2 for vehicles under normal driving conditions (e.g. 15,000 x 2 = 30,000 miles here). It applies to a variety of fluid intervals including transmission fluid. In the latest generations, many car manufacturers have made conflicting recommendations (e.g. conflicting with themselves in different regions and/or against their OE suppliers) and I will say this: these recommendations aren't always a **technical** recommendation for the longevity of your vehicle. I am planning on a video to discuss all these fluid "controversies" and hopefully help clarify for the DIY car care community. The bottom line--it's beneficial to keep fresh gear oil in your drivetrain if it's done correctly. It's cost-effective, preventive maintenance for the car's long-term health especially if you can do it yourself.

[@abrahamjoseph6707]

I have a 2007 accord in need of new tires for daily driving(all season). My main concern is safety ( wet traction, braking etc) and longevity. Any price will do.

[@profsg]

I am not affiliated with any tire brand but X-Ice is the best when it comes to snow tires, IMHO. I personally used and TESTED it with a front-wheel-drive Honda Odyssey on the snow--it's way better than an AWD with regular all-season tires. If you don't like changing tires between seasons, Michelin Cross-Climate is great too as the all-season alternative. Its price is as reasonable as other all-season offerings and you can get the best deal from Costso as it regularly offers discounts between Michelin and Bridgestone. Good luck!

[@profsg]

FYI. My RX350 AWD is on Cross-Climate all season and, during Winter, my Honda Odyssey uses X-Ice. Couldn't be happier with those tires!

[@abrahamjoseph6707]

I live in Houston so snow is not an issue. Any experience with the Michelin defender 2? Thanks

[@profsg]

Have never used defender. A different climate here. It seems to last extensive miles.

[@abrahamjoseph6707]

Thanks professor

[@sladeg9471]

Would the higher 75-90 be perhaps not as good for very cold climates?

[@profsg]

Good question! They are the same for cold (winter) as long as we stick with the 75W in the first place. 75W is the grade of oil viscosity in the "Winter" (W for Winter and a cold temperature). In this case, 75W-85 and 75W-90 have the same "thickness" at cold temperatures and should flow the same. Compared to "-85", oil with the "-90" grade will be thicker when it's hot. Hope this makes sense.

[@brewbeer1]

To change it every 30000 miles and not use the manufacturer's spec gear is NOT GOOD!!!!!!!????😢😢😢

[@profsg]

@brewbeer1 this is in fact following the manufacturer's spec 75W-85 GL-5, which are SAE specs. Whatever meets the specs here are "equivalent" per owners manual. I use 75W-90 here and have no concerns for the extra thickness in warm temperatures. But certainly you cannot go wrong with many other 75W-85 aftermarket options. Hope this makes sense.

[@brewbeer1]

I believe the equivalent or equivalents are other brands of 75w-85 Gl-5

[@profsg]

@@brewbeer1 Yes! The -90 (instead of -85) part is my personal decision. :)

[@hundiwa]

Hello sir, thank you for the video it is very helpful. I have one question for you, where are you getting the torque specs from? Thank you in advance and keep up the good work!!

[@profsg]

You are welcome! Glad it's helpful! You can get the torque specs from ClubLexus (or ToyotaNation) forums. Here is a related thread: www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-4th-gen-2016-2022/963697-2016-2021-lexus-rx350-transfer-case-fluid-replacement-instructions-2.html

[@tengzturiagaiii3185]

Hi. Is it the same location and proceedure for 06 rx330?

[@profsg]

It's similar, though the transfer car drain plug is on the side. Check out the pictures on ClubLexus: www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-2nd-gen-2004-2009/788579-2006-rx330-transfer-case-and-rear-differential-oil-change.html

[@dyelbug]

I noticed my transfer case was covered in gunk... 2008 rx 350 138k.. my thoughts came to output shaft seal? possible?

[@profsg]

There is a leak somewhere, perhaps from the transfer case but likely from elsewhere. When you change your transfer case fluid, measure how much you take out and the amount you put in, and you will know for certain whether it was leaking from transfer case (output shaft). It's also very possible the leak comes from somewhere else, especially from the front. Check your engine oil and transmission areas to see if you have leaks there. At 138k, it's common to have engine oil leak, e.g. from the oil pan or other engine seals. These leaks travel toward the rear when your vehicle is in motion, which, coupled with a spinning output shaft, will collect dirt/debris to form the gunk you see. So double check.

[@gamerdiydad]

Thank you

[@profsg]

You're welcome!

[@Dekster11]

Jaki olej do skrzyni rozdzielczej ?

[@profsg]

The same 75W-85 GL-5 for both rear differential and transfer case, per owner's manual. A couple of options here: * Valvoline: amzn.to/4hhlgxh * Red Line: amzn.to/4eD2fUf

[@Dekster11]

@@profsg Thanks

[@murferm]

Great video! Which model are you working on? I have an 2018 IS300 awd with 38k miles that I want to service but I am wondering if I need to do the front also and if it is the same oil?

[@profsg]

Thank you! Mine is 2017 RX350 Base AWD. If yours is an AWD (no hybrid), it should have the same/similar drivetrain design. Double check your owner's manual, which lays out every oil specification on the model. Here is what's generally applicable--the rear differential and transfer case have the same SAE 75W-85 and API GL-5 oil spec, for which you can use an aftermarket brand such as Valvoline and RedLine if they meet the specs. At 38k miles, it's good to replace fluid in them now. The front differential is part of the transmission/transaxle and, for this design, the only fluid you use is Toyota's own WS fluid. No aftermarket fluid meet the specification but the WS fluid isn't pricy and should be replaced first at around 60k miles: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aKWuiax6qLWDfpI

[@murferm]

@@profsg Great! Thanks for the info and the quick response! I found the oem TL 75w-85 GL-5 online for $30 a liter so I went with that but I also saw Royal Purple @ O'reillys 2 for $37.

[@murferm]

I finally got my car up on jack stands for the service. I’m refilling according to specs but is it the same as filling until it drips out from the fill plug?

[@profsg]

Missed the new question but hope you had a similar setup and was able to replace the fluid properly. Because the proximity of the transmission, make sure you identify the correct drain and fill plugs.

[@aakemp238]

Hello, gear oil washer gasket and rear diff its same size ?

[@profsg]

Yes, they are the same. See part numbers along with product links in the video description.

[@knight3131]

Hey, did you use the U turn adapter to remove the plug from the transfer case ? I have a 2020 Rav4 XLE and while i only just hit 23k in the 4 years i had the car i will be hitting the 30k next year and im looking into chaging the oil on the transfer case and rear differential. Also, did you change the transmission oil already, and you made a video? I know transmission is at 60k.

[@profsg]

Yes, I did. The universal joint makes it possible to fit and turn the socket in the tight space. Every 30k miles is the interval for transfer case and differential fluid replacement. You can start transmission fluid change later at 60k and then every 30k after: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aKWuiax6qLWDfpI

[@profsg]

And given that you only drive about 6000 miles annually, I'd recommend an engine oil change every 6 months, even if it only hits 3000 miles at that point. I discuss oil dilution at the end of this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jaKaZmaPmb9_qtksi=48eP1xtlPZ99-2JA

[@Zeek800]

Don’t use Toyota Gear oil. That can costs over $80. You can get a quality synthetic gear oil from Valvoline, and Royal Purple that is GL5 but is 75W90. Yes there will likely be a small increase in fuel consumption????? but it will be less than 1 mpg. The torque for a 2014-2019 Highlander and probably for newer models is 36 lb feet.

[@profsg]

Absolutely! And thanks for sharing the rear diff plug torque spec on Highlander.

[@NoName-tz5ji]

I use 75-140

[@profsg]

I would not consider that even for towing. That's way too thick, compared to the Lexus specification.

[@Byu50]

Thank you so much and subscribe.

[@profsg]

You are so welcome! Made my day!