Diff & Trans Fluid
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 435
Likes: 122
From: NY
Yeah, my point exactly! I had nasty chunks coming out of the diff. I just still don't have the darn PC to determine what's what.
Definitely agree, few will do that and it will be the second, third and forth owners that will end up with this. But hey, me and you might pass this car down to our kids.....LOL.....
but dad that car is so embarrassing!
What, why?!?
It's slow and it's gasoline...........
Definitely agree, few will do that and it will be the second, third and forth owners that will end up with this. But hey, me and you might pass this car down to our kids.....LOL.....
but dad that car is so embarrassing!
What, why?!?
It's slow and it's gasoline...........
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 435
Likes: 122
From: NY
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 498
Likes: 43
From: FL
ok so I'm about to be 20k miles in about 4 months, based on my driving habits. When I bring it to the dealership for my next free oil change, should I tell them to do a rear Dif fluid change also? thanks so much , and I'm a noob about this.
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 435
Likes: 122
From: NY
I wouldn't recommend the dealer, my dealer when I asked at 5,000K wanted for the standard diff, $183. I ended up doing it myself, but a reputable shop in your area should do it for $40~ if you supply the diff fluid. The shop I go to for more difficult work(lost function of my wrist) charges me $15 for a diff swap. They claim it's no more difficult than an oil change(it's actually easier). So maybe call around if you have some spare time.
It's bottom drain plug unscrewed, oil gets drained, place plug back in. Fill top of diff with fluid, replace top fill plug. Done.
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 435
Likes: 122
From: NY
I used Amsoil because I like their formulations and their great for long term usage. Diff fluid is not nearly as important as engine oil, so most synthetic oils at AutoZone will do fine. If you had a GT-R, this would be a slightly different conversation.
It was $24 and I only used $18's worth of oil, meaning the next change, I only have to buy one $12 bottle. Off the shelf oils are about $11-13 a quart so the Amsoil was the same price for what will likely amount to a better performance.
It was $24 and I only used $18's worth of oil, meaning the next change, I only have to buy one $12 bottle. Off the shelf oils are about $11-13 a quart so the Amsoil was the same price for what will likely amount to a better performance.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 870
Likes: 333
From: Ga
My car has 12k miles on it now. It's had 8 track days since I bought the Lexus CPO car at 6k miles.
FWIW, the TVD fluid that came out looked brand new, no flakes, no color change. It was still bright red like the new WS fluid I put back.
My guess is for people who don't track or drive their car unusually hard, the 60k inspection or fluid change is just fine.
I only changed the fluids since there isn't a whole lot of data out there and I wanted to see for myself to be sure.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 870
Likes: 333
From: Ga
Refilled with redline 75w85.
Think i will drain it again pretty soon to get more of that sludge out.
Can't imagine having all those abrasives in there and not have damage.
Thanks for starting this thread that got me thinking about changing the fluids. It definitely need it.
I also changed the tranny fluid.
You mentioned yours didn't look "dirty"? What is your description of dirty w/o uoa?
My old tranny fluid was not bright red like the fluid that came out of the tvds. The tranny oil had a brown tint to it. I didn't catch it to look, so I don't know if there were any metal flakes. It was not sludgy though.
Toyota WS fluid was used to fill. Had a hard time finding anything that was WS rated.
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 435
Likes: 122
From: NY
I changed my diff fluid and it too had chunks of sludge & flakes !!
Refilled with redline 75w85.
Think i will drain it again pretty soon to get more of that sludge out.
Can't imagine having all those abrasives in there and not have damage.
Thanks for starting this thread that got me thinking about changing the fluids. It definitely need it.
I also changed the tranny fluid.
You mentioned yours didn't look "dirty"? What is your description of dirty w/o uoa?
My old tranny fluid was not bright red like the fluid that came out of the tvds. The tranny oil had a brown tint to it. I didn't catch it to look, so I don't know if there were any metal flakes. It was not sludgy though.
Toyota WS fluid was used to fill. Had a hard time finding anything that was WS rated.
Refilled with redline 75w85.
Think i will drain it again pretty soon to get more of that sludge out.
Can't imagine having all those abrasives in there and not have damage.
Thanks for starting this thread that got me thinking about changing the fluids. It definitely need it.
I also changed the tranny fluid.
You mentioned yours didn't look "dirty"? What is your description of dirty w/o uoa?
My old tranny fluid was not bright red like the fluid that came out of the tvds. The tranny oil had a brown tint to it. I didn't catch it to look, so I don't know if there were any metal flakes. It was not sludgy though.
Toyota WS fluid was used to fill. Had a hard time finding anything that was WS rated.
I like to use color, odor, feel to quantify some things. Color was bright red, smell was "new" or similar to bottle fluid new, feel felt like solid trans fluid. Not scientific but those points can be useful.
Back to what I was saying. You would do a great service to the future owners or yourself by changing once @5-10,000 miles and NEVER changing again vs changing at 50, 100, 150K, etc.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 870
Likes: 333
From: Ga
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 435
Likes: 122
From: NY
I assume you're talking about the trans?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
CLUM
IS - 3rd Gen (2014-present)
5
Jan 27, 2015 06:47 PM