What Mileage for Replacing Differential & Transfer Case Fluids?
 

I've got a 2006 Toyota 4runner Limited 4X4 with the V8 motor, and my mileage is currently at 60,000. At what mileage should I have my front and rear differential and transfer case fluids replaced?

I drive a mix of city and highway miles, and I rarely take my 4runner off-road.

Now. :rtfm: :jk:




Toyota has a short interval listed. It's based on non-synthetic t-case/axle fluid. If you use synthetic 60k is probably a good interval for most.

This site is what Toyota recommends (not the dealer). Poke around here for a bit.:cheers:

Fluids
 

I replaced the fluids in my front and rear diff and the transfer case with synthetic. Plus I run synthetic AMS oil synthetic in the engine. I change my engine oil every 10,000 miles and have noticed an improvement of 1 mile per gallon on gas mileage. Some may say that 10,000 miles is crazy but when I get my oil changed the guys can't believe how clean it is. They think it is conventional oil and that I change it every 3,000 miles. I've read reports and have heard that the oils have come a long way. The only reason they say you need to change your oil every 3,000 miles is to sell more oil.

I'm happy with my move to synthetic. Yes it is more money per oil change but less money per year.

I've got 42,000 miles on now and have run the full synthetic for the last 30,000 miles.

Just my two bits.

What filter? Do you change the filter part of the way through the 10k interval?

Bad plan
 

Dude 10,000 miles IS crazy even for synthetic oil. And the color of the oil is not a good indicator of when to change it either.

I sure hope you are not using the same filter on there for 10,000 miles. :eek:

If you are... you might soon be in the same boat as another member on this board with your engine ending up as a boat anchor.

That's why I asked about the filter. Frenchie's horror story is something I wouldn't want to go through.

I'm old school and wouldn't do 10k but I do understand certain synthetics can handle a 12mos/10k interval, it's just not for me. If you're bent on doing a long interval, IMHO, you need a fresh filter half way through or a substantially larger filter (which can be tricky).

I've seen a filtering system when i was a youngster changin oil on this guys truck, he used to do long distance wide load escorts, i beleive it was a ford f150 and instead of the filter being where is usually is there was just a hose and adapter. Following the hose down to the frame there were 2 rather large filters and he said he could filter out so much of the impurities that on standard sythetic he would change every 10k. Now, I'm not sure if it's true, sounds logical tho. Also, if your doing a 10k oil change, imo a magnetic drain plug would be nice. never know.

Frenchie's problem and that TSB aside, Amsoil states their oil has a 25K interval for normal duty if you use the Amsoil filter. M1 is 8K (normal M1) and 15K for their extended life oil using the M1 filters. The school of thought that you have to change the oil and filter every 3-5K is antiquated.

That said, I use M1 w/ M1 filters and go 6K, but I would consider mine "severe" use since I live in the mtns.

Explain
 

Someone please explain to me the thinking behind running a $30,000 truck on the same oil for 10,000-20,000 miles to save the owner $25-$50 ?

I just dont get it.

There is no reason why you can not run ANY synthetic oil for 10K miles or one year. This goes for just about any modern Toyota engine, especially the 4Runner. This not an opinion, it is FACT. Toyota themselves are now recommending this exact OCI!

Koz

Hmm
 

Although I have heard they are going to 10k oil changes on new 2010 models Im not sure I feel comfortable with that.

Maybe I'm just old school but 6,500-7,500 seems more like what I would feel comfortable expecting out of an oil filter.

I'm right at about 5,000 miles on my oil and filter right now, I usually change my M1 and OEM oil filter at 6,500-7,500 miles depending on when I have the time.

Our truck is 80% city driving... When I hit 7,500 or when it starts to get pretty cold here (my garage is not heated), I'll change it and I'll send in a sample for analysis and I'll post the results.

I just hate the idea of trying to push the envelope just to save a few bucks.

10k just seems like expecting a heck of a lot out of a oil filter. Who knows though you may be right.

Don't change it until you get the results back. A UOA will verify what I'm recommending!

Koz

I can say that in 94 when I bought my mazda it recommended regular oil changes at 7500 miles with non-synthetic. I typically run in the 5000-6500 range before changes on my 4 Runner. I am thinking of doing a filter relocation kit and going synthetic. This will allow me to change filters halfway through the oil change interval. I can tell you that until recent changes the Army didn't do oil changes, they just replaced filters anually and an Oil Analysis anually as well.


Original question- I try to do my diffs, transfer case and tranny every 30k. Although right now I have a leaking front seal on my t-case so it changes itself sooner then that.

Oil - every 5k, all others - every 30k. Easy for me to remember.

Changed my rear diff and transfer case at a tad over 30k to M1 synthetic.

Like what others have found, the rear was black. The t-case was still pretty clear and new. I haven't gotten around to the front diff yet, mostly because I'm in 4WD 10-15% of the time, so I'd expect the front diff to look as a good as the t-case. I'll do it soon, but it didn't have the same sense of urgency as the rear.

And FYI, pretty sure you already know, gear oil is some stinky stuff. The smell with linger even after thorough hand washing.