It makes sense that should be changed at least every 50k miles or so, I wonder why the service manual doesnt call for it, yet Lexus is recommending it. same with the tranny fluid.

 

It depends on what your definition of "Lifetime" is! I am planning on driving my car pass 200K miles (i have very long commute) so i changed my around 90k. To me, it was an easy and cheap preventive maintenance!

 

I can understand how the trans is meant to be a lifetime fluid because there's no darn fill/drain plug. However, on the diff, there is clearly a fill/drain plug. Go to Harbor Freight, get yourself the set of larger hex head sockets for the plugs. Then buy 6 feet of clear tubing at Lowes for installing the new fluid (gravity fed install); or get a pump-driven setup for quite a few more dollars. I used Lucas brand HD synthetic gear oil.

 

I changed my at 50k and the oil was still clear like new oil imo not necessarily to change it at 60k. My is a 09 too and yes it's very easy to change I went with Mobil one

 

I changed mine at 160k at the dealer for $45... no prior service recorded for this so I just had it done.

 

Wow! That is very cheap. Where did you get it done? Did they use Toyota Gear Oil. I would definitely have it done by the shop if it was this cheap (the Toyota fluid alone is over $30 a litter and you need to buy 2 for the job).

 

I would get it done at the dealer every year if it was that cheap!

 

Lexus of Sacramento

Invoice shows:
Rear Diff Service $30.45
Service rear diff per customer request. Service rear differential, W/o Limited Slip 2wd 06/13 T3

(2) part number 12157-10010 Gasket, Drain Plug $2.70
(1) part number 75904-14 75-90 GEAR OIL $11.90
1.4 QTS @8.50 EA.

Labor $30.45
Parts $14.60

Total $45.05

 

Wow, that is really good deal. I am wondering if they have the gear oil in bulk? Because 1 litter container cost a lot more. They also only charged maybe 1/4hr for the actual work which is great.

 

^Yes, the dealership has drums of oil and gear oil sitting in their bays.

 

I wonder if Lexus would cover your differential if it prematurely fail due to not changing the differential fluid.

 

Here's my diff drain plug @96k

06 IS250 MT

 

its supposed to be 75-85 synthetic. i always use the toyota brand but thats only because i get it cheap or free since i work there. otherwise its 30 bucks a quart but its good ****

definitely don't want to put conventional 75-90 in there. diffs are toyota/lexus weakest part IMO