WARNING [Rear differential oil]

I just had my front, rear and transfer case oil done today at 10,000 miles. I had MY mechanic do it not Toyota. I have read on line that SOME people were seeing there REAR diff oil looking real bad. So what the heck I got mine done. So went to oriellys auto part bought 9 quarts of 75-90 Mobil 1 full synthetic gear oil and LSD additive. Came out to about 130 bucks. Pull into my mechanics shop put it on the lift watched as he started to drain the front first good to go clear looked good then the transfer case same looked good then the rear HOLY SHIT black as FUCK. After putting the Mobil 1 full syny in WHAT a difference. So I recommend any one with 10000 miles or new tundra GET ur gear oil done atleast the rear. Don't wait till 30,000 miles like the book says. And Toyota does NOT put syn in your diifs or gear box. I am anti dealer when it comes to maint. Ether I do it myself or my trusted mechanic. I keep all my records for my warranty.

 

And forgot have NOT towed at all yet.

 

Good info!

 

And what really sucks is my mechanic cant do my Tranny fluid because its a sealed system and doesn't want to risk it. So I have to go to the dealer to get it done and stand there and watch them do it and IF they don't I walk. And lets not forget about the price$$$$. I would do my tranny fluid at 50k. Going to do just my rear diff in another 15000 just to see.

 

@ARamirez73

 

I was just given an estimate for OEM rear diff fluid at $64 a quart. I do have LSD and they are saying it’s a different fluid for the LSD. Is this true because the owner manual doesn’t say anything about this.

 

When did Toyota stop using mechanical LSDs in the Tundra? I know with the Tacoma it was like 2009 I think.

If you don't have a mechanical LSD, I really don't think you need a friction modifier additive.

 

@PA452 I do have LSD do I need the friction additive?

 

I can't say for absolute certain, but if you have a 2015 Tundra I doubt you have a mechanical LSD.

"Auto LSD" is not the same as a mechanical LSD. Auto LSD simulates the behavior of an LSD by individually applying brakes to a spinning wheel. In this system, you do not need LSD friction modifier in your rear diff.

I can't say for certain though what you have because I don't know if and when Toyota stopped using mechanical LSDs in the Tundra, but I get the impression it was well before 2015.

Like I said, I know on the Tacoma they stopped making the mechanical LSD around 2009. My 2007 had a mechanical LSD, and my 2015 Tacoma had "Auto LSD". My 2018 Tundra definitely has "Auto LSD".

 

I had thought my 2007 Tundra had the 'auto LSD'

 

The Tundra electronic Auto LSD started in 2007. It's a waste on money to by a friction modifier for this year and anything newer.

 

Uh, what's automotive LSD? I've got a 2017 SR5, so based on Wynnded's reply, it doesn't seem like it's something I need, but I'm curious.

 

@PA452 has it in a nutshell.

 

Semper Fi. Good on ya for your due diligence.

Too many on this forum wait way too long to change their fluids without consideration of heavy service factors. I believe Toyota overstates their maintenance schedules in trying to make the truck seem maintenance free as po$$ible. No skin off their backs as the warranty expires by then and you are buying a new truck.

It never hurts to keep those fluids fresh, but it does hurt to let them get old.

 

The theory I read a number of years ago is that Toyota had to pay an environmental fee on each of its vehicles sold. By going to sealed systems with “lifetime” fluids, they saved paying this fee.

 

Or if you're like me and trade in vehicles before the warranty expires, it wont really matter.

 

But it will matter to the next person buying your vehicle.

 

I’ll wait on the diffs until 30,000. I’ll then put synthetic in everything. It stands to make sense the front diffs and transfer look clean unless you’re constantly driving in 4wd. I’m not sure “Black” fluid is a clear giveaway of fluid in need of change. If it was I would be changing oil out every thousand miles.
I have zero concerns on the intervals.

 

I’m the same way. But Toyota gave me a free 8/125k platinum warranty for the PCS issues I’m having. Now I might keep one after 3 years now.

 

I changed my front and rear diff with redline synthetic oil at roughly 30k. The front was pretty clean but the back was worse then I expected. Gives me a piece of mind that I changed it when I did. By the way, what wheels are you running on your truck?

 

My rear diff fluid looked new

 

Did it still have the tag in it?

 

That’s exactly what I’m going to do. Change it at 30 with no worries.
Those were black Rhinos. I’m running XD right now.

 

Own a 2019 TRD Sport 4x4. What specific fluid weight does Toyota call for in the rear differential? I will change it myself at 10,000. Thanks for the suggestion OP.

Currently have 4,000 miles on the truck now, do you think changing it at 5,000 is something to consider based on your experience?

Own a 2016 Toyota 4Runner 4x4. I changed the rear diff fluid a few months back to SuperTech Full Synthetic

$39 75W-90 GL-5 Limited Slip, Ultra Long Drain 500k Miles, Manual Transmission, Gear/Differential Lubricant (1 Gallon)

75W-90. The diff has been happy for the last few thousand miles with fresh lube. Would be nice to use the same fluid in both diffs.

 

What does this mean? With only 10,000 miles on your truck what "difference" can you ascertain by the fluid change?

 

Good question.

 

These are the two recommended fluids my dealer said. I do have the Auto LSD so from earlier comments sounds like I don’t need the LSD additives. That saves me a lot of money

 

Thanks pal! I’m no oil pro so the response is appreciated. Just popped open my manual and you are right on, it says 75w-85 GL-5. If we were to use any

$39 75w-90 GL-5 Limited Slip, Ultra Long Drain 500k Miles, Manual Transmission, Gear/Differential Lubricant (1 Gallon)

75w-90 GL-5 would that technically cover us under the power train warranty if something were to occur?

 

Whoa! That price per litre! $32 and $100 respectively.

How about some Lucas for $9 a litre?

 

I will not be running the Toyota when I change here in 4,000