I have an 06 IS350 with 62k miles now. I recently did a couple of maintenance items my self. I've got to say I enjoy working on my own car and know its going to be done right. Oil and Filter changed, Spark plugs replaced, Cabin filter replaced, and engine air filter replaced. Now the rear Diff hasn't not been drain and refill since new. Does anyone know when it needs to be replaced? Is there a DIY on the forum that have pictures?

 

I don't remember it being in the maintenance manual. It does takes somewhere around 1.25qts so you'll have to buy two bottles. It is very simple to do. Raise the car front and rear to try to keep it level. Drain and fill. A drain plug on the bottom and a fill plug on top. You could change or reuse the crush washers.

Remember to take the fill plug off first.

 

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...hange-diy.html

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...ml#post8693359

Please get new crush washers before doing this; do it right or do it twice.

 

Did mine at 45K

 

I was thinking about doing mine to im at 100k. After seeing that guy on here with 250k on his car he never touched it and his is fine. I will leave mine for now. GL.

 

I had around 120k on my differential before changing to an frs diff. I could tell you my diff was in great condition the fluid looked as good as new even with all those miles. The frs diff wasn't as clean but that appears to be a common thing when the fluid is changed for the first time.

 

you are supposed to change your diff oil every 30-50k miles on most cars but i have definitely gone longer with out changing it.

 

I changed the fluid at 110k and the fluid didn't look too bad; just slight changed of color but it doesn't means much without doing a chemical analysis. I would change it every 90k miles since it is a very simple and easy DIY.

 

The fluids in our IS are supposed to be lifetime. I never changed mines yet and its approaching 160k miles. Still runs like a champ with no issues.

 

That's what I thought.

 

The transmission fluid is lifetime. The Differential fluid (completely different) you are supposed to change regularly. Its similar to engine oil. If you driven a FWD car, it has no front diff since it drives directly off the trans so diff oil changes are not a regular thing to look for but RWD cars has one Differential and AWD has two completely separate from the transmission that requires regular maintenance.

 

Thanks for that KNICK.. The manual shows when to change oil and filters etc..for tranny and differential don't show to change.?

 

Local Lexus dealership is charging $69.95 for this service and Indy shop (Greg's Jap Autos) is charging $89.95. You would think Lexus charges more but I guess not. I'll probably take it in instead of doing it my self.

 

The rear differential oil change is the easiest thing to change, I would say almost as easy as changing the air filter AND you can do it with the car on the ground; at least that's how I did it. There are two large 22mm Allen key oil bolts, on on the bottom one on the Right side. Bottom is your drain, side is your fill. Takes about 15 mins to do no jack, but around 7-10 mins to do with jack and right tools.

Paying someone 70-90 bucks to do it is a rip off when the oil is about 10 bucks a bottle. But I guess 15 bucks plus minimum 1 hour labor equates to about right

 

I know it's very easy to change. I just don't know if I should change something manual is saying not to. Just like the tranny fluid..