My question: wtf?
No, really... my question: If I'm trying to go with Toyota's guidance for their product, what hypoid gear oil specification do I for my 2002 T4R?
Here's what I've tried:
My 2002 T4R Limited 4x4 owner's manual says
Differential
Oil type: Hypoid gear oil API GL–5
Recommended oil viscosity:
Rear
Above –18C (0F) << this one. I'm above -18C
SAE 90
Below –18C (0F)
SAE 80W or 80W–90
I've had no success finding 3 quarts of Hypoid gear oil API GL-5 SAE 90 at Amazon, local car parts stores, Google shopping, etc. Apparently I can order a tanker-load for huge piles of money.
So, yes, I've Googled, binged, poked around in the Toyota owners site, used the special T4R 3rd Gen Google search instructions, and found that answers generally fall into several categories:
- Use SAE 110. Oil weight suffers inflation over time as well. What used to be SAE 90 in the dim, distant past is now SAE 110.
- Use SAE 90 from a marine store
- SAE 90 is so 1950s
- Use 75W-90
- Use whatever you want
- don't worry about it
- silly monkey
I called the parts guy at the local Toyota dealership and asked if he sells the gear oil for the rear diff for my truck. He said, "We only have that in bulk for our service department. You can buy it at any car parts store."
...which has not aligned with my experience to date.
Ideas? Good advice? Just pick an answer from my list?