ToyotaLexus

no, it's not the transfer case.

The service advisor happily allowed me to pay extra and use their Mobil 1 Synthetic gear oil for the transfer case on my RX300 AWD.

It's only the rear differential that they refused to let me choose the Mobil 1 synthetic oil. I asked the service advisor if he made a mistake, but his boss, the service manager, came out and told me the same thing....

In fact, I had my AWD GS sedan serviced there three ago. The same service advisor allowed me to choose the Mobil 1 synthetic gears for both the transfer case and rear diff.

lexus114

Actually carguy,the limited slip at least in 01,was an option.Unfortunately for me,mine doesn`t have it.

ToyotaLexus

I'm looking at the original 2001 Lexus RX300 brochure in my hand....
in the list of options(on page 45), limited slip differential was not
listed.

(edit: just finished looking through the entire brochre, it doesn't
say anything about LSD at all.... if anyone has a '99/'00 borchure,
can you please check to see if LSD is mentioned anywhere? thanks!)

carguy07

I'm not the expert, but I think the LSD was only on the 99 or maybe 99 & 00. Once they put the VSC on them the used the computer to modulate the brakes to simulate a LSD. I have seen internet advertising saying that it was an option on the later cars but I think it is incorrect.

carguy07

If these are correct it looks like they dropped it in 2000.

http://www.lexus.com/contact/pdf/1999/1999RXspecs.pdf

http://www.lexus.com/contact/pdf/2000/2000RXspecs.pdf

http://www.lexus.com/contact/pdf/2001/2001RXspecs.pdf

http://www.lexus.com/contact/pdf/2002/2002RXspecs.pdf

http://www.lexus.com/contact/pdf/2003/2003RXspecs.pdf

lexus114

Interesting,I stand corrected.

dejafa

Hi, ok I've read alot of these rear, front differential and transfer case threads. Too much that now I'm a bit confused. My question is... is there only one "transfer case" then? I know that there is one rear differential and one front differential. But am confused about the transfer case. I'm thinking there is only one transfer case that is in the front? That is connected to the front differential which is connected to the tranny?

Sorry if its a lame question, just that I just recently purchased a rx300 with no service records, so I plan on doing a tune up; oil change; front, rear and transfer(s) case flush; coolant flush, transmission flush, engine air filter change, cabin air filter change, also if I get to it the "D" light bulb and "ECT/SNOW" light bulb in instrument cluster change.

carguy07

You got it right.

ArcherIII

I'm sure you are right. I have a 2000 that I ordered new and I selected LSD, in fact I selected every option available at the time. The VSC would make the LSD redundant. Frankly I would rather have VSC because my wife drives it. She has already wrecked it once in snowy conditions. LSD helps you get moving(two wheels instead of one), but once moving having the rear end basically locked on a slippery surface is not a good thing. With a conventional diff one wheel is likely to always stay in direct rotational contact while the other spins. This can actually help with straight line stability. VSC tries to ensure that all wheels stay in direct rotational contact. I'm basically convinced that if I hadn't checked the LSD box back in 2000 that my wife would have never ended up in the ditch. Some winter tires would have also helped.

I have an appointment to have my diff fluids changed for the first time(120K). As for the Tranny it has been changed once but if I remember correctly it has a very long service schedule. In fact I need to check but I don't remember a recommendation for it.

lexus114

whoa arch, 120k and the first time changing the fluids in the transfer case,and rear diff.? I would absolutely love to see what comes outa their.

mikey00

I have 140k on original transfer case and rear diff fluids with no plans for changing.

lexus114

To each their own my friend.

mikey00

Just following the Lexus recommended maintenance schedule. Toyota techs on 2 seperate occassions also confirmed that certain items on the RX will go forever without unnecessary maintenance. Now the trans is a different story.

Lexmex

I'd probably be inclined to dump the gear oil out after 100K after seeing what I saw when I changed it out two years ago in Mexico after that period of time.

ArcherIII

Yeh your right. I'm really only concerned about the rear because of the LSD. An LSD usually means friction and that can be hard on lubricant.