HLHOG

My LS 460 09 is nearly hit 80k miles. I asked a Lexus advisor about to replace front/rear differential fluid. He said i can wait until 90k services. I bought it this car as used and am sure the previous owner had never changed.

Should i check the fluid level or it is okay to wait until a major services?

Since dealer charges $300 for this services, i plan to do it myself but not sure what find of oil I can use for the "rear" differential.

In my manual, it said to use Toyota GL-5 75w-85 "LX" for the rear. It's available in Amazon for $77 and I need to buy 2 quarts.

My questions:
Is it worth to do it by myself?
Is Lexus dealer use the same fluid?
Is it okay to use Mobil 1 Synthetic 75w-90?

Thanks in advance for you help

Doublebase

I'd just buy the 75w90 from Mobil 1 and call it a day, I've been doing that for the last 100k miles or so, with no problems whatsoever. Easy to do the service and the Mobil 1 is a high quality gear oil.

roadfrog

Not sure about AWD, but GL-5 fluid is required for RWD. The price you were quoted by your dealer sounds high, but perhaps that's normal for AWD. On the RWD, my Toyota dealer charges about 79 dollars. I did the service myself, because it's an easy job. Personally, I'd use the Toyota stuff. It should'nt cost that much at your Toyota dealer.

BlackLexRX

Yes you can use the Mobil 1 75w90. Read the container, it will say gl-5 and other compatibility. My RX calls for gl-5 in the rear diff and I found Chevron Delo 75w90 full syn gl-5 for like 8$ on the shelf at autozone, so I've been running that. Lots of people like to use the Mobil1 so go with it if you like. I think it was 12$/qt. The Toyota gl-5 that the dealer uses is like 70$/qt which is crazy money considering Mobil1 or any other top tier brand full syn is up to the job. This is an easy one to do at home. I use a gear lube thread on hand pump I got from walmart in the boat section.. It will thread onto the qt jug and you pump the fluid in until it starts running out the upper fill port you're filling. Before you drain, loosen the upper fill port to ensure you can get it open. Search the forums, and you'll see lots of people's DIYs with pics and description.

texas008

i changed the rear diff oil of my 2009 LS460 RWD at around 80k miles,
the "old" oil was clean and clear.

BMW7_LS430

Was old oil original factory or was changed before at some point of time?

JLAWS

Just use Synthetic 75w-90. 75W-85 is ultra expensive because it is rare probably last of the stock. My Local Toyota dealer just uses and only has 75w-90.

mckellyb

Honestly, differential oil is one of those things 99% of automobile owners completely ignore, and rarely does something 'bad' happen, unless there's a manufacturing defect.

Unless you dunk the diff, it'll never get contaminated. An extra 10K miles on it...meh, it won't matter if you ignore it for another 100K.

When I change lubricants to synthetic, I usually don't plan to touch them, again, save for engine oil and maybe transmission oil. Wheel bearings, transfer cases, differentials, etc...they're all changed once then forgotten about.

PwrdbyM

I don't see any harm in waiting and I agree this is a very easy DIY job. I recently changed mine at 103k for the first time (just bought car). I used Red Line 75w-85 GL5, about $33 on amazon for 2 liters. I found the old fluid to be fairly clean but there was a significant amount of metal build up on the magnetic drain plug.

Loc9

Was the ride noticeably different after using Redline?

roadfrog

FWIW, I just had my dealer do it. 79.99 which included labor and fluid. Car washed and vacuumed afterwards = happy guy.

Normally I'd do it myself, but I just didn't feel like it this time. And really....for 80 bucks, I don't think I'd bother doing it again myself

PwrdbyM

I can't say I've felt any difference with the fluid change but I certainly feel better to have fresh fluid in there given the residue on the magnet. I'm partial to Red Line as I use it in my racing drivelines, so it's my go to brand.

fig19

Developing the "shudder"turning at low speeds with my '09 Ls600hl, can get the LL80 gear oil off ebay for approx.$155 /ltr.
Is this expensive magic oil necessary or can I use a quality 75w 85 gl5 to cure the "shudder"? What about using a 75w 85 for 1 or 2 drain/ fills then the 08885-81085 LL80 per recall procedure fix from lexus corporate?
Alao if it takes a bit more than the 1ltr can I top off with the 75w 85?

miket000

I've owned two used high milage 600h's. The first had a significant shudder during tight turns. I changed ALL the fluids using stuff readily available at autozone. Shudder was still present after the fluid change, maybe slighty better.

My second had the tsb performed years before I purchased it. It is perfect, no shudder at all. I suggest following the tsb as written. I'm sure you already read it but for others the tsb is not for the rear diff fluid.

fig19

Thx for reply,I forgot to specify my question was directed to the transfer case drain/fill for the shudder as was pointed out to me.
Hopefully 1ltr of the LL80 gear oil is enough and does the trick,I dont want to have to buy 2 at that price only to use a little of the 2nd one.
Anyone know the part #'s for the drain and fill plugs crush washers?