lcc014

I would like to change the differential fluid in my 98 ES300 with 80k miles. I changed the tranny fluid recently with Toyota Type VI. Where is the differential drain/fill plug(s) ? How many quarts of gear oil do I need ?

Thanks,

Ching-Ho Cheng

Luc

What I understand from a Toyota tech is that both the transmission and differential are shared cavities, but each has its own drain plug. The differential drain plug is the same type as the transmission pan, but perpendicular to ground, facing rear of the car. You still fill it through the transmission oil tube, and needs about an extra 0.8qt (I think), or look in the owner's manual. There is actually a very good link for a complete flush that you can do yourself under the Maintenance sub-forum, which takes to a link of a GS400 owner detailing the steps.

lcc014

Thanks for the pointer. I would do both at the same time.

Ching-Ho Cheng

lcc014

One more question, I am going to help my friend to replace his 2000 ES300's tranny/diferential fluid. Is 2000 the same setup as 98 ?

Thanks,

Ching-Ho Cheng

Luc

Yes, the transmission is the same, though the engine is not.

lcc014

Thanks, I have more confident now to do the fluid change.

Ching-Ho Cheng

pkchin

By shared cavity, does this mean the transmission fluid and differential are shared and the same? for the 98, I thought you use Dextron 2 or 3 and the differential is 75-90 weight? I did notice on my 30K service that charged me for 4.8 qts of 75-90, but I didnt see dextron anywhere???

lcc014

This is interesting. I really want to get to the bottom of this to make sure that I use the correct oil !!!

Ching-Ho Cheng

pkchin

Me too. Also, if you change the differential fluid, if I jack up the end and support with jack stands, the car will no longer be level for the differential fill. Since the car is at an angle, would this cause the differential fill to be too much/little before it starts flowing out of the fill hole?

Concerning the tranny fluid. Yes, very conflicting, seems that some just state us the Toyo Type IV even with out asking year, or say to use the type 4 anyways. So which is it for '98 and below? If Dextron2-3, I was thinking of using a synthetic ATF, but read in another thread that that person had some issue (but then again, he mixed just about 4-5 products in by the end of it)

pkchin

there was a Lexus TSB where it states that if your your model year stated dextron II or III, ( our lexus states dextron), then we should stick with that. So just wondering, did you ever drain out the differential? and also how is the transmission shifting in the '98 with toyotatype IV?

lcc014

I have never drained the differential oil. I only did the tranny fluid with Toyota type IV. Shifting is slight improved with the new fluid, but not a big different.
I would jack up the car to access the drain plug of the differential. Then, I would put back the plug and lower the car back on ground for adding new differential oil to ensure the oil level is correct.

Ching-Ho Cheng

pkchin

I thought that you know the differential fluid is full when it starts to drip out of the drain hole?

lcc014

The differential drain plug is located vertically like the tranny drain plug. It is not like the one in GS300.

Ching-Ho Cheng

pkchin

Ok, found the drain, but how do you fill it back up in the 98? I read that you posted that the 2000 that the differential was drained and filled via the transmission. I did not attempt to drain the differential yet.

lcc014

Yes, it is filled via the tranny. Just remember how much of the differential fluid coming out on top of the tranny fluid. You add back the total amount of tranny + differential fluid.

Ching-Ho Cheng