Hey Team GX,

My '23 is currently around 30k miles. I decided at the 3 year mark to change brake, differentials, transfer case (yes I purchased Toyota 75W Unicorn Poop), coolant and do a transmission drain and fill. Still have to do the power steering fluid within the week (easy one).

As reported elsewhere, differential fluid was pretty grungy and the magnets were pretty gummed up as seen on some vids. Transfer case was honey coloured, coolant pretty normal looking, transmission was definitely not looking new and was a darker colour, so has some contamination. I was able to flush out 3.5L and put 4L back in and set the level with a scan tool.

Thinking to do full fluid change as above every 3 years but thinking to do a transmission drain and fill every spring. Thoughts on this? That way I'm introducing some fresh fluid on a regular basis. Anyone else do this? Once a year is not a big deal and pretty easy to do.

 

Manual says 60K for filter and diffs if I recall. I am going with 50K cause every 10 oil changes i can do an extended service one. You may be a little too proactive beyond doing your first.change.

 

... specific to the Differentials ... from new at 5,000-odd miles the gear oil will come out close to black from initial break-in ... ^ so do not agree on being too proactive ... the differentials do not have an oil filter to remove the micro metallic particles that will continue to circulate like slurry until purged via draining.

 

Ideally baseline all the fluids as soon as possible to remove break in material. However realistically and anecdotally differentials are the least serviced and running factory fill at 200k+ miles.

 

... Rear Differential ... $30 for Gear Oil ... 30-minutes to Drain / Refill ... cheap insurance.

 

True, plus with Valvoline and Amsoil doing flex pouches, even more so.

But again if you sample owners, unless they cross a stream, tow, or are super diligent not a priority.

So are you using unicorn tears, or bumping up to say 75w90 or traditional 75w110/140