matoolie
New member
Changed both my diffs to the Mobil1 75w90 gear oil on my 2014 Limited 3 years ago. All good. I did not change transfer case fluid.
Front and Rear Diff fluid change
- Thread starter Mijfwb23
- Start date
Changed both my diffs to the Mobil1 75w90 gear oil on my 2014 Limited 3 years ago. All good. I did not change transfer case fluid.
For the front and rear diff, most agree Mobile1 is fine. For the center transfer case, 50% in this thread have said yes it's ok, the other 50% would say no use 75W. I just changed my fluids and I decided not to risk it and I used Mobile1 75-90W only for the front and rear, but I used the OEM 75W for the transfer case. Yes it's more expensive, yes it's harder to find, but I'd rather pay $80 for the correct stuff than $hundreds for a new center diff. If you read above, I've posted my online source and cost to get the OEM 75W (aka black gold).
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MTN4RNR
New member
I think that likelihood of anything failing in the transfer case prematurely due to 75w-90 vs 75w is low. However, I would advise anyone still in their powertrain warranty (standard or extended) to stay with the OEM fluid simply because if anything happens to the transfer case (fluid related or not) Toyota could POTENTIALLY deny a warranty claim if "improper" fluid is found in the unit. Just my .02
MTN4RNR
New member
I agree. I personally don't think that a failure would ever occur from someone using 75w-90 vs straight 75w OEM fluid. There might be a slight increase in noise/vibration or a stiffer shift between ranges, but an outright failure isn't likely. Like I said, I have heard on this forum of dealerships denying warranty claims for weird reasons. So my advice for anyone asking me is if you're under warranty, just keep it OEM, then for the remaining 200k do whatever you want! :thumb3:
just use mobile 75-90w for front and rear diff and toyota 75w for transfer case.
is this it for the front and rear?
https://www.amazon.com/Mobil-104361-UNIT-75W-90-Synthetic-Gear/dp/B000ONZXPK
Arnezie
New member
Arnezie
New member
And this is great for the transfer case too. Works perfectly
Ravenol J1C1003 SAE 75W Manual Transmission Fluid - MTF-3 Full Synthetic (1 Liter) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QPCL7ZE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_loPjDbSTQY0EP
Ravenol J1C1003 SAE 75W Manual Transmission Fluid - MTF-3 Full Synthetic (1 Liter) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QPCL7ZE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_loPjDbSTQY0EP
CutthroatSlam
Senior Member
I recall another post, maybe in this thread, from the transfer case manufacturer saying 75w85 is fine. The lower number is the viscosity at coldest rated temp. The higher number is the viscosity at hot temp. That higher viscosity is not going to hurt anything.
BTW others here recommended the Mobile Delvac 75w90, which lead me to using it. So far your only explanation against is based soley on the Toyota manual and your OCD fixation on it. Not even the dealers use the Toyota shit. You have no background or experience in this. I probably have the most miles on a 2014 on this forum. Real world experience. Scoreboard matters.
1000MPH
Senior Member
Delvac came up originally in the FJ forums. Still seems popular with those guys. Then more research shows Porsche mechanics, tuners, etc tend to rave about the stuff. FWIW a Porsche transaxle has synchros. Some discussion about suitability but seems not too much negativity. Ymmv.
Rapid_Amble
New member
I thought it had more to do with GL4 vs GL5 and additives, and less to do with slight variations in viscosity grade.
2016 4Runner SR5
Senior Member
Your truck, your choice. I'm not so cheap that I won't spend $80 on what is recommended. VERY cheap peace of mind as far as I'm concerned.
CutthroatSlam
Senior Member
I saw among the posts here that you had 11K miles on your truck. I get it, you have a lot of money invested in your truck and you're OCD with the manual. Don't impart your ignorance on others. I have 185K miles on a SR5 bought in September 2014. Scoreboard trumps OCD Toyota Manual complex.
2016 4Runner SR5
Senior Member
Just rolled 18K on my 2016 Yeah I have put some $ into it but that's irrelevant. Fact remains that fluids can never be too clean and there is really no such thing as over maintaining any vehicle. Yes I dropped the diff fluid at 11K just to get the crap out of it. I will do 30K changes from here on out. Yes I change my engine oil every 5K rather than every 10K like Toyota recommends because I simply want to. I will do the same with the 2019 Highlander I just bought. Yes I will spend the $85 or so on a can of the correct 75W oil for the transfer case when the time comes. Does the 75-90 work in the transfer case work? Probably, but it is not what is recommended. Would you throw 80-140 in the diffs or 10-30 in the engine? No, you wouldn't, and for good reason. So why is it acceptable to run oil in the transfer case that is not recommended by the manufacturer? I am not the one spreading poor advice here. People saying "yeah sure 75-90 is perfect for the transfer case" for no other reason than the fact they have done it, that's spreading poor info. Just because you did something doesn't make it right and doesn't mean it's a good idea.
PS - Don't forget to check your local auto parts store. Amazon shopping is definitely convenient, but I found the Mobile1 for $5/quart cheaper at PepBoys. When you're buying 5 quarts, you save enough for a burger and a good beer. Plus you're supporting your local economy.
PPS - Don't forget to pick up a hand pump too. There's almost no room to tilt the bottle high enough to get the entire contents into the diff.
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CutthroatSlam
Senior Member
As many have pointed out, it's the lower # that matters. So no I don't put 10w30 oil in my engine; I put 0w20 and there are many options out there. I quoted a Borg Warner engineer saying the 75w90 was fine, but you have the OCD fixation on the f'n manual. I have 185K miles doing so and you have 18K. You drive that truck like it's a baby, whereas we use our truck. You put all sort of after market crap on your truck and don't even use it, but I'm sure you take selfies of yourself in front of it. Hate to break it to you, but cars/trucks are depreciating assets. Your truck ain't worth more just because you put overpriced OEM oil in the transfer case. You put that over priced crap in because you don't have a clue.
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2016 4Runner SR5
Senior Member
LOL someone's triggered. No, I put the correct stuff in because it's correct. The $85 for the can is crazy for oil but it's cheap peace of mind as far as I'm concerned. Glad yours is holding up and it's great you have so many miles on it. Gives me even more confidence in Toyota reliability. Been turning a wrench a long time, seen a lot of crap happen when people don't do the right thing. Like I said, it's your truck, your money, your decision to make. Run anything you want in it. It may be the lower number that matter but it's also the chemistry of the oil that matters. 75-90 gear oil is by no means an equivalent to 75W transfer case oil. Carry on through, do your thing your way, I'll continue doing things the right way.
Arnezie
New member
For the record I personally put 75w90 m1 in front and rear 75w Ravenol transfer case. But think it’s so funny how people get so upset when someone doesn’t do what they say on here. Do whatever you want it’s your property. We all know what the manual says and what the manufacture recommends.
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