transfer case
Transfer case and rear diff lube
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 962
Likes: 28
From: Iowa
Transfer case and rear diff lube
The owner's manual for my 99 RX300 recommends 90W oil for transfer case and rear diff for outside temps over zero degrees Fahrenheit, and 80W-90 for below zero. Obviously, I'm not going to change the oil every season. (I'm thinking of using all-synthetic, as I do for engine oil.) Does anyone know which weight is generally recommended? I live in Iowa, so we see temperature extremes each way!
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,335
Likes: 212
From: Miami, Florida
Trending Topics
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
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
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,335
Likes: 212
From: Miami, Florida
Now many switch the terms front differential and transfer case. This is ok, just as long as you know what is what.
For me, this is the front differential on the left and to the right is the tranny pan. Although they have separate drain plugs, BOTH are filled through the transmission dipstick hole on top. The front differential and the rest of the transmission are interconnected.
They only use ATF fluid, not gear fluid.
For me, this is the front differential on the left and to the right is the tranny pan. Although they have separate drain plugs, BOTH are filled through the transmission dipstick hole on top. The front differential and the rest of the transmission are interconnected.
They only use ATF fluid, not gear fluid.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,576
Likes: 1,393
From: Austin, TX
Correct names are:
Transmission Transfluid
Transaxle Transfluid (same fill via transmission dip stick)
Then the
front / rear differential [if equipped]
The again I am bad in terminology
Salim
Transmission Transfluid
Transaxle Transfluid (same fill via transmission dip stick)
Then the
front / rear differential [if equipped]
The again I am bad in terminology
Salim
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 117
Likes: 1
From: US
Do you have the above photo in a much larger size?
I'm currently having a problem. I went to a shop to ask them to change the rear differential oil and the transfer case oil, both of which use gear oil.
However, I suspect a mechanic opened the front differential drain hole and drined out some of the ATF. (the transmission and the front transmission share the same ATF.
He then opened the front differential fill-hole and filled it with gear oil. In fact, I do not think he know the difference between the transfer case and the front differential.
The reason for my suspicion is that I looked under my AWD RX300 and noticed that the tranfer case had no signs of having been touched at all. It's got the usual road dust, but no finger prints and no oil smudges, no nothing. On the other hand, the front differential drain hole was greasy, like someone just drained fluid out and even fingerprints...
Just so you guys know that I know what I'm talking about. The transfer case is near the engine oil pan. The front differential drain hole is next to the transmisson fluid pan.
The strange thing is that I pulled the ATF dipstick and the ATF is still pretty clean, having been changed a few weeks earlier.
I'm so confused right now. The mechanic still insist that he drained and then refilled the transfer case.
Last edited by sarah; Feb 27, 2009 at 10:40 PM.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,335
Likes: 212
From: Miami, Florida
I don't think I have a bigger photo of above, but it came out of this thread. I did the drain and fill three times in that thread so there are plenty of photos of the process,
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...sfer-case.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...sfer-case.html
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
