lexiton

When should this be changed? The local place where I get my oil changed is trying to tell me every 15K miles. That seems a little early to me. I know its the same synthetic oil we use in the engine but I also know it doesn't have the same wear in the rear diff.

Can anyone tell me what the manufacturer recommends?

Thanks

sightdev

"I know its the same synthetic oil we use in the engine", if you did what you said, you will be looking at expensive repair shortly down the road. rear-axle will need gear oil and because it uses synthetic it doesn't really have set interval for replacement. almost all vehicles I know now days come fill with synthetic gear oil which does not require replacement unless its used in towing, commercial usage, and etc. don't let the quickly lube replace your oil. I took my 05LS430 to have trans flush at 50k and Lexus dealer told me I don't ever have to change trans fluid and there is no interval. First time a Lexus dealer wanted me to skip a maintenance.

hypervish

It is NOT the same as synthetic engine oil!!!

tsslaporte

30 to 50k.

pro tip, you cannot inspect the fluid without draining it. Dont pay for that crap.

JimH2

http://www.edmunds.com/car-maintenan...&mileage=15000

Per the Edmunds car maintenance schedule, it shows that the differential fluid is to be changed every 15,000 miles. You need to check with the Lexus maintenance schedule (or contact the Lexus dealer). On Edmunds, it estimates the cost of fluid as $ 10, and labor as $ 25.

Lexspeed

I am surprised to see that Edmunds (or anyone else for that matter) would recommend a diff fluid change at 15k miles. That just seems too early unless one's diff is subject to a particularly harsh environment (i.e. frequently towing).

JimH2

I used to have an Acura MDX, and the present differential fluid change interval is 30,000 miles after an initial change at 15,000 miles. I believe those are the Acura recommended changes now. However, the MDX differential differs from the Lexus RX setup. So, it seems like some manufacturers still recommend changes well before 50,000 - 100,000 miles. My experience with Edmunds is that they post the manufacturers recommended maintenance schedule.

JimH2

Found the link to the manual:

http://www.lexus.com/pdf/service/RX_RXh_WSG.pdf

Starting on page 49 is the stated maintenance for 15 K miles +.
For the rear differential oil change, there are no scheduled changes thru 150K miles unless you use the vehicle for towing or heavy vehicle loading. If that is the case, you then change the rear fluid every 15,000 miles. Thus, Edmunds is using the "severe use" schedule on their website for maintenance. I guess I would be inclined to change it at 100,000 miles if I plan to keep the vehicle for a longer time (I do no towing).

JimH2

Good observation. On the Amsoil information site, it shows a rear differential and capacity of 1.1 pints for the RX350, but does not even list a rear differentail for the RX450h.

http://www.amsoil.com/mygarage/vehic...+LEXUS+RX350+A

http://www.amsoil.com/mygarage/vehic...LEXUS+RX450H+B

lexiton

Thanks for the insight guys. I knew the diff fluid didn't need changed yet. I drive highway 30K+ miles a year no towing. I think I will change it at 60K when I do alot of other stuff.
I knew they were full of it when they said it uses the same oil as in the engine so I told them no. They always pull the old trick of putting a bit of the oil on paper and if it is discolored they recommend changing it. Oil gets dirty the minute after you change it and run it a few miles.

I will tell them the real story next time I am in and tell them to shove it.

wes77

I always use MFG recommended fluid, but hear lot of positive talk about amsoil....Who else uses Amsoil?

Anyone uses Royal Purple?

stevengtt

Hi,

I'm just wonder is there a front Diff fluid change for my car? My car is front wheel drive?

Thanks in advance
Steven

tsslaporte

In my G, I put Amsoil SVG in the diff, eh still working almost at 60k now, fluid change was at like 38k I might do a UOA at 70k when I take it out.

I believe that's inside the transmission. But thats a best guess.

tim5055

Rather than rely on Edmunds, I would rely on Lexus. The maintenance schedule I received with my 450h does not show that the differential fluid is to be changed every 15,000 miles. As a matter of fact, it is not mentioned at all.

If I were concerned I would contact Lexus corporate, not a dealership. The dealership is going to say anything to sell you a service

JimH2

Above is link to Lexus maintenance recommendations.