I read my manual front to back and I see were the differential oil and transfer case oil need to
be changed periodically under "special operating conditions."

I'm wondering when these fluids need to be changed under "normal" driving conditions,
mileage/years?

Cheers!

 

Anyone have any idea??

 

Something like that I'd have to read my maintenance schedule. It's in the car.

 

This is what's so strange.
I have read/looked everywhere in all the manuals, and only found it mention under
special operating conditions first time @ 15,000 ...............

 

Rear diff gets done every 30,000 miles

 

Is that noted somewhere in the maintenance manual were I missed it?

 

You didn't miss it. It's more an inspection and change if needed unless you are using your RX to tow/haul things on a daily basis. I still wonder how they can inspect the diff fluid when the unit is sealed

http://www.edmunds.com/car-maintenan...0000&zip=97402

 

OK now I'm confused!

In this Edmunds site, if the first two service intervals are free, why is the price listed????

 

30K is what I do on my RX300, but I will let you know that a good quality synthetic gear oil can run much longer than that.

 

inspecting the Diff Fluid is BS, there is only a Drain and fill bolt.

I mean you could inspect it but, I dont think anyone would drain it and put it back in.

 

Yet another reason I'm not a mechanic, how does a single bolt work for both drain and fill? I would have thought there were two plugs. One high and one low, one high to fill and check and the low to drain.

An inspection would check the plugs for leaking around the threads and check for leaks around any gaskets or seals if a multi-part casting? I guess I just had a vision of a mechanic with a mirror and a light looking in a big (1" diameter or so) hole to check fluid level.


Why I just stick to washing the outside!!!

 

Just re-use the fluid after inspection. Then you just have to pay for labor... (just kidding, of course)

I was under the impression there was a drain plug located on the bottom of the transfer case and a fill plug located up higher near the exhaust pipe like the 2nd gen? It's cold out there so I don't feel like crawling underneath the vehicle at this point. Yes I am a wussy

 

Can anyone explain these prices?
Is Edmunds telling us there's charges to this service??

 

No, Edmunds is not saying Lexus is going to charge you. The first two are included. Edmunds puts the market price on everything, included or not. It establishes a market value on what is being done. This can be used as a comparison to other services by other marques which may or may not be included as part of their purchase program.

 

Thanks for the explanation, I was lost and now I'm found...........