Thanks, Viktor! Ordered the crush washers and some 75W-85 GL-5 Synthetic oil. ( Didn't use the official Toyota DL oil, @ $39 a liter. Went with RedLine @ $18 a quart. ) Nice day today so I did it in the driveway.



The magnetic drain plug ( left edge of photo ) had a good coating of metal filings and the oil was pretty dirty for only 35,000 miles. Glad I changed it.

 

Thanks Viktor! Really like your videos. Pretty simple. How often should this oil be changed. I see just inspect at 60k miles on driver’s.Lexus.com maintenenace schedule.

I also see you made a video about the transfer case oil mAlso, how often this should be replaced.

Others videos of interest are:

• automatic transmission
• spark plugs
• brake fluid
• brake pads
• coolant

Also where can I find the parts for the pump contraption?

Thanks!

 

Just did this service at 45k miles.

Very simple service. Did this without raising the car, just crawled under.

Popped the fill then drain plug open with a 10mm hex bit and let her drain.



The drain plug is magnetic and had an expected amount of metallic sludge stuck to it.








The fluid itself looked pretty good... golden light brown color, normal stinky diff fluid odor.

Cleaned up and slapped the drain plug back in with a new crush washer, torqued to 29lbft.

Filled her back up with Ravenol Synthetic Gear Oil 75w85, GL-5. Took 530mL (~0.56 US QT) and let a few mL dribble out til no more dribbling. Wiped the diff case off and slapped the fill plug back in with a new crush washer, torqued to 29lbft.

I'll probably do it again in 15k miles and see how the magnet looks then decide if I want to stick with 15k interval or move up to 30k.

 

Thanks for the instructions and pictures. Encouraged to try this myself soon.

 

How frequently should the front and rear differential fluids be changed in a 4RX?

The maintenance schedule doesn't seem to mention this interval.

 

I do it every 40-50k miles. It's probably much longer than that, but it's cheap for preventative maintenance!

 

Yea I get the preventative maintenance part, just curious what is the actual recommendation from Lexus, if any.

​​​​​​

 

It is listed in the maintenance manual as inspect every 18 month or 15,000 miles. Then lists that it should be replace at 36 month or 30,000 miles if you do towing or carry heavy loads.

I have heard some mechanics say to do it at the first 30,000 miles regardless and see how it looks, and then take it from there.

I did mine at 30,000 miles (Transfer Case and Read Diff) and they both looked great. Some sediment on the magnets, but very good condition.
The job is super easy and the fluid is cheap. I will probably do mine every 50,000 or so going forward.

 

Interesting... Maybe the Canadian manual is different? Or I'm just blind.
All I found was to inspect every 24 months, but doesn't mention anything about replacing it.

Wondering if this is similar to the transmission fluid. Where Lexus supposedly says it doesn't need replacement, but some mechanics feel it's best to replace every X miles.

 

I plan to use Redline 75w85 also and change it around 15k miles.

Did your drain plug took some muscle to break loose?

 

@GS4_Fiend
Did your drain plug took some muscle to break loose?

Yes it did. Not real unusual form other vehicles I've done. Seems like a steel plug in an aluminum case is always hard to break free. Didn't notice any type of LockTite or sealant on the plug threads, either. I haven't changed it a second time yet to see if a new drain plug gasket and proper torque make a difference.

 

Yeah I am sure that is the case. With my wife's old 4Runner we had to beg them to do the fluid changes (I work on my cars and now I do all the work on her new 4Runner).

I do transmission fluid 1 drain and fill every 60k, and will do these fluids every 50k. Cheap insurance since we keep our vehicles for the long haul. I understand if you lease and/or replace your vehicle at 100,000 miles, but crazy not to replace fluids. BTW I am in the US so manuals must be different.

 

According to The Car Care Nut on Youtube, he recommends every 30k miles and earlier if towed.

Although it is just a recommendation, it can be subjective to others.

 

Hello Vik, i tried watching the video but its private. Did u take it down or something?

 

im in the replace my vehicle 100k camp

i am at 50k miles now on my 2017 and I have 0 plans to change trans or diff fluids ever

have had 0 issues thus far