Synthetic Gear Oil Change Interval?

[TeryT]

I just put Mobile 1 75w-90 in all the gear oil places (both diffs & transfer). The book wants changes at 15k, and I'm wondering if anyone has experience in longer intervals with full synthetic.

 

[jharris2]

The manual indicates the change at 15,000-mile intervals for "Towing a Trailer or Using a Camper or Car-Top Carrier." I changed mine at 30,000 miles with the same oil and am planning to go to 60,000 miles on it.

Here's the reference I used: http://smg.toyotapartsandservice.com/guides.php?xv=1&xy=2003&xint_id=48&v=1&y=2003&int_id=52

 

[TeryT]

The manual indicates the change at 15,000-mile intervals for "Towing a Trailer or Using a Camper or Car-Top Carrier." I changed mine at 30,000 miles with the same oil and am planning to go to 60,000 miles on it.

Here's the reference I used: http://smg.toyotapartsandservice.com/guides.php?xv=1&xy=2003&xint_id=48&v=1&y=2003&int_id=52

Right - 15k is what the manual states for towing. Why do you think you can go to 60k? Do you tow and am I understanding you right that you are using M1 synthetic?

 

[jharris2]

Right - 15k is what the manual states for towing. Why do you think you can go to 60k? Do you tow and am I understanding you right that you are using M1 synthetic?

Geez, I worded that poorly -- let's try again. I changed the oil from stock to Mobil 1 at 30K and plan to change again at 60K.

That's changing at a 30K interval, which is more often than the manual indicates. The truck isn't used for towing, so that's why I felt OK going to 30K miles.

Apologies for the confusion!

 

[TeryT]

Geez, I worded that poorly -- let's try again. I changed the oil from stock to Mobil 1 at 30K and plan to change again at 60K.

That's changing at a 30K interval, which is more often than the manual indicates. The truck isn't used for towing, so that's why I felt OK going to 30K miles.

Apologies for the confusion!

Thanks for the clarification! Yes, since I do tow I may not go up to 30k, but I will definitely increase the interval. Maybe go between 20-25k, depending on how much I tow. That will help defray the cost, as probably there is also some small gain in MPG. Another big plus is not having to do the job nearly as often!

 

[jharris2]

Thanks for the clarification! Yes, since I do tow I may not go up to 30k, but I will definitely increase the interval. Maybe go between 20-25k, depending on how much I tow. That will help defray the cost, as probably there is also some small gain in MPG. Another big plus is not having to do the job nearly as often!

Definitely -- it's not a particularly difficult job, but there is no way to not make a mess with the old oil. And the used gear oil is the stinkiest oil I've found yet.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I tow some. At 5k I put in Amsoil gear oil which is similar to M1. With 20k on the fluid it looks like new.

IMHO, Toyota has us changing the axle fluid very frequently, almost too frequently. Unless your dragging a camper across the country I don't see any problem running synthetic 30k-45k as an occasional tower. Almost any other manufacturer runs at least 30k, even when towing. There's nothing unique about the T4R that makes it 'harder' on oil than any other vehicle. And, for the record, I'm a fluid changing freak!


:cheers:

 

[jharris2]

I tow some. At 5k I put in Amsoil gear oil which is similar to M1. With 20k on the fluid it looks like new.

IMHO, Toyota has us changing the axle fluid very frequently, almost too frequently. Unless your dragging a camper across the country I don't see any problem running synthetic 30k-45k as an occasional tower. Almost any other manufacturer runs at least 30k, even when towing. There's nothing unique about the T4R that makes it 'harder' on oil than any other vehicle. And, for the record, I'm a fluid changing freak!


:cheers:

Yeah, but a quick look at TeryT's avatar will explain why he's concerned about getting it right.

 

[TeryT]

Yeah, but a quick look at TeryT's avatar will explain why he's concerned about getting it right.

That's right - don't want one of those wood planks giving way on me!:roadkill:

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Yeah, but a quick look at TeryT's avatar will explain why he's concerned about getting it right.

:lmao::lmao: