Question on Differential Service

T

Trendari

New member
Hello,

My 2006 V8 4x4 is going to dealer next week for service (43k miles now) and I have read up on this site about differential service (all 3 boxes) and the dealer recommends service to these every 30k miles as it's AWD. My question is whether to have dealer just put toyota oil in them or a synthetic like Mobile 1 or Amsoil.

It seems most of you like the synthetic, but then I notice you change it around 30-45k miles anyways...so if that's the same interval as the dealer oil then what is the real advantage of going synthetic? I thought you would do it so you could go more like 60-100k miles between changes.

Thanks for the input..I have spent a great deal of time using search on this subject but my question wasn't answered.

~Ryan
Phoenix, AZ
 
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I'd change them at 60K intervals w/ synthetic. It's an easy number to remember. And you might only have to do it twice for the life of your vehicle. At least that's what I've been doing. I have a v-6, but the stock fluids should last you the same interval.
 
I could be wrong, but my understanding is that synthetic is more resistant to break down from extreme heat of cold. If you tow, put a big load on your diffs from offroading, or live in an extreme hot or cold climate synthetic *might* be the better choice. One reason to change oil is becuase the oil collects debris and stuff. In this case, the synthetic has no advantage over conventional oil and basically should be changed at the the same intervals to reduce wear from all the particles within the oil.

I remember reading something on here about Amsoil not being Toyota approved somehow? It is suppose to be one of hte best synthetics out there however. Mobil 1 seems to be the popular choice on here.
 
Synthetic diff fluids will probably help your fuel economy, but that could also be offset by other mods. I have amsoil in my diffs. At 120K, I'm going with whatever is commercially available i.e. royal purple or mobile one.
 
kimboy said:
I'd change them at 60K intervals w/ synthetic. It's an easy number to remember. And you might only have to do it twice for the life of your vehicle. At least that's what I've been doing. I have a v-6, but the stock fluids should last you the same interval.
Click to expand...

Off topic, but...

I sold my 2nd gen '90 4Runner to a friend at 205,000 miles when I bought my 3rd gen. He's still running it and last time I checked he had over 300,000 miles on it and going strong.

I sold my 3rd gen '00 4Runner to a guy I worked with at 152,000 miles when I bought my 4th gen. There wasn't a thing wrong with it.

And my other 3 Toyotas were sold in very good condition after more than 200,000 miles each. Toyota longevity and reliability rocks!

Even at 60,000 mile change intervals I'd expect to change those at least 3-4 times over the lifetime of MY vehicles.
 
And matter of fact, I had the OM out this morning for something else and read that the recommended fluid change on both differentials is 30,000 miles (15,000 miles if you tow, which I do). I'm debating on going to synthetic or not.
 
From what I understand, the advantage of synthetic over conventional is performance, not longevity. They may need to be changed out at the same intervals, but the performance obtained during that same time frame is better with synthetic. I just changed all mine out to Royal Purple (mostly because I won 5 quarts at a raffle).
 
I have been using Amsoil SEVERE GEAR OIL 75W-90 Synthetic for front and rear diffs and transfer-case.

Last weekend I did the 2nd drain and re-fill. This is after 45k miles from the first synthetic drain & re-fill. I am hoping to change the gear oil at a 45k-50k interval. No issues so far.
 
Will_4R said:
I could be wrong, but my understanding is that synthetic is more resistant to break down from extreme heat of cold. If you tow, put a big load on your diffs from offroading, or live in an extreme hot or cold climate synthetic *might* be the better choice. One reason to change oil is becuase the oil collects debris and stuff. In this case, the synthetic has no advantage over conventional oil and basically should be changed at the the same intervals to reduce wear from all the particles within the oil.

I remember reading something on here about Amsoil not being Toyota approved somehow? It is suppose to be one of hte best synthetics out there however. Mobil 1 seems to be the popular choice on here.
Click to expand...

Gear oil after break in shouldnt have much in the way of debris. Certainly not enough to warrant changing it for that reason alone. Assuming equal filtration the syn will last longer, thats why there are extended life oil filters designed to go 10K+ miles. There isnt normally much debris produced in diffs unless you have a problem.

Some Amsoil products (ie engine oil) are not API certified, even though they exceed API specs. Their XL line of engine oils is API certified and will mesh fully with Toyota's warranty. API specs GL 4/5 for gear lubes and I dont know offhand what the engine oil is on now SJ maybe?

manhunter said:
From what I understand, the advantage of synthetic over conventional is performance, not longevity. They may need to be changed out at the same intervals, but the performance obtained during that same time frame is better with synthetic. I just changed all mine out to Royal Purple (mostly because I won 5 quarts at a raffle).
Click to expand...

Synthetics do last longer because they resist breakdown better, due to either thermal or acid neutralization (like syn motor oil having higher TBN). In both gear oil and engine oil.

michael90630 said:
I have been using Amsoil SEVERE GEAR OIL 75W-90 Synthetic for front and rear diffs and transfer-case.

Last weekend I did the 2nd drain and re-fill. This is after 45k miles from the first synthetic drain & re-fill. I am hoping to change the gear oil at a 45k-50k interval. No issues so far.
Click to expand...

I use that as well, changed it @ 30K and will keep it in until 100K.
 
As of November 8 2007 toyota started using synthetic gear oil in all of the 4runners, front, rear and the transfer case! They also said in the same service bulletin that all 4runners 2003-2007 should switch to synthetic at the next service interval! So I would think that if you have the toyota dealer change the fluid they should be putting in synthetic anyway! As long as they know about the service bulletin!
 
Well I called the dealer and mentioned the service bulletin (DL003-07) and they said only applies to runners with the limited slip which mine doesn't have so on mine they would only put normal oil in.
 
dreadog said:
... toyota started using synthetic gear oil in all of the 4runners, front, rear and the transfer case! They also said in the same service bulletin that all 4runners 2003-2007 should switch to synthetic at the next service interval!...
Click to expand...

Did they also change the service interval? What is it for '08+ MY compared to '03-'07, with and/or without towing?
 
This is what I have, it applies to both trucks with and without LSD`s!
 

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Trendari said:
Well I called the dealer and mentioned the service bulletin (DL003-07) and they said only applies to runners with the limited slip which mine doesn't have so on mine they would only put normal oil in.
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You have a limited-slip center differential.
 
If you just follow Toyota recs you'll be fine. Diff oil change at dealler about 20-25 CAD for unit. More often you change it - better. Read manual. Toyota recommends to change fluids in diffs after going thru deep water etc. So if you off-road you'll need to change it more often. No matter syntetic or organic. For regular driving just keep your 2 years intervals. Its only 75 bucks every 2 years))).
 
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