IS35O

Are there any tutorials online about chaning the differential oil on the IS350? It seems it should be pretty strait forward, but any tips are appreciated. How much fluid does it require? Any torque specs for the drain/fill bolts? Thanks for the help

iSuxeL

iTrader: (21)

Just like you said its very straight forward. I just did this 2days ago. Just drain the old fluid out, fill it till it spills and thats it. I used Royal Purple 75w-90. Only thing I had to do that I didnt expect it unbolting part of the exhaust and one of the reinforcement bars.

IS35O

Did you end up using something to pump the new fluid in, or is there enough clearnace to just pour?

IS35O

Also, how much fluid by the way? exactly 2qt?

eric_r_ho

iTrader: (9)

You fill the differential the same way you fill any other differential out there. Fill until it starts pouring out, assuming your car is level, and when the flow of gear oil is almost leveling out w/ the opening of the fill hole, PLUG IT. It's now full.

TLP_IS350

when does lexus recommend changing the diff fluid?

eskae3

iTrader: (15)

Any automotive parts store should have a tube adapter that fits over the gear oil bottle that allows you to squeeze the fluid in if you do not have the clearance to pour.

iSuxeL

iTrader: (21)

There was enough room to just squeeze but if you can find an adapter then I'd recommend that, as it was a little tough but I managed.

Theres no recommended time to change it technically, you can change it whenever you want. I'm over 50k so I figured I should do it, plus I didnt like the way mines felt. Next up is the tranny fluid.

kuuqi

In no point in the Lexus service manual does it ever need new a tranny fluid or differential oil change. Should you do it? That's up to you =]

And isn't the transmission a sealed case? It wouldn't exactly be an easy fix.

Koz

If you want the best,

http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/svg.aspx

http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/g2039.aspx

Koz

IS35O

Thats the plan

Kurtz

iTrader: (1)

The transmission is sealed, it's physically impossible to change the fluid.

You can get small amounts of it out removing certain parts, but nowhere near all of it.

IS350jet

^^ The transmission is sealed, yes, but there is a drain plug. Getting the new oil *in* the transmission is the tricky part. It's a pretty involved procedure.

Koz

There is absolutely no reason to touch the trans. Leave it be!

Koz

Kurtz

iTrader: (1)

The drain plug will allow you to remove a very small percentage of the fluid in the transmission... less than 1/4 of the total fluid if I recall.

That's pretty useless for a "change"

Even removing the torque converter wouldn't get half the fluid out.

There's like a 7 page thread on this topic, with diagrams and charts.

It's physically impossible to change the transmission fluid on these cars unless you custom build your own machine with a fluid exchanger shaped exactly like the heat exchanger attached to the transmission, then swap the two exchangers, then change your fluid, then swap back. Which would likely be a lot more cost and labor than just putting in a new transmission if yours dies because it has 200,000 mile fluid in it.