I went into the dealership for the 40k mile service which involved some fluid changes, tire rotation and brake wear test. I walked out of there $1300 poorer, after they nickel and dimed me for a bunch of other things that came up during the inspection. I even turned down some of the “suggested services.” I won’t be going back there again. Anyone else get this treatment?
Usually if you look in the owner’s manual you will see the maintenance recommendations based on mileage at 30000 mi, rear differential, front differential, and transfer case fluid should be replaced. On some of the vehicles. It actually says to do it every 15,000 miles. I understand it may feel like a rip-off, but if Toyota makes the recommendation in their owner’s manual to change that fluid then I don’t think the dealer is at fault.
i would like to know the % of people that follow through with that every 15k.
Aaaand this is why it sucks to buy used cars. Diffs and transmissions do go bad. In fact I’d wager their early, avoidable death is why most most cars end up junked anyways when chances are everything else works fine. All because manufacturers and dealers sell this trap that they rarely need to be replaced and people fall for it.
I’ve never done that and my car has over 100k miles. What’s that fluid supposed to do?
15k? That is before the second oil change. Surely you are mistaken.
Just looked up a 2020 AWD RAV4. For 15k they say “Inspect transfer oil” this is for normal maintenance, but a little lower in the 15k explanation they say, “if towing, car-top carrier, or heavy loading replace transfer oil and rear diff oil.”
Now at the 30k, they just explicitly say replace transfer case oil for all conditions.
Mind you this is RAV4 gasoline engine. The Hybrid has other interesting maintenance items, such as clean HV filter every 5000 miles
Oh dang You’re right. That just seams like a lot of new diff fluid.
Toyota says to check every 15k. I dont think they recommend changing fluid at all under normal conditions. I would change the fluid every 30 if I had a clutched LSD. Open diff? I go 100k
On the newer model rav4 and highlanders with all wheel drive the front transfer case and rear differential fluid is due every 30k. Toyota LX gear oil. The ones I’ve seen at 50-70k actually come out very dirty and dark colored. A lot different than you standard gear oil you see in decent condition at 60-90k
Yes.
I was going to say this. Inspect doesn’t mean that’s the change interval.
Honda (pilot/passport) is change diff fluid after 15,000 miles, then every 36,000 after that. My M3 had diff fluid done (under warranty) at 1200 miles (yes, 1,200 miles) and again at 30,000. New parts wear. That wear contaminates the fluid. It’s a simple service, just spill and fill.
That is correct.