Limited Slip Differential oil

Does the rear automatic limited slip differential on my 2018 Sport require a special lubricant? My dealer is asking $336 for a 30,000 mile four wheel drive service even though according to my maintenance guide, it shouldn't even need it done at 30,000 miles based on the way I use my truck. I usually change the lubricants in all of the four wheel drive components at 60,000 miles. Last time I had this done on my wife's 2015 Tacoma it cost $139 and the same lubricant was used for both differentials.

 

They're definitely taking you for a ride

 

to answer the first part of your thread title and question, no your 2018 does not need a gear oil with limited slip additive in it. Toyota stopped putting real limited slips in the Tacoma back in 2008 or 2009. Since then it's just a computer controlled brake feature that mimics an LSD. Your rear diff is an open diff. Although you can put gear oil with the LSD additive in there and it won't hurt anything.

And yeah it sounds like the dealer is ripping you off, oil services are easy DIY work otherwise I'd have a small local shop do it.

 

From what I know the transfer case lube is specialized and expensive. It’s about an hour to change all three gearboxes. So the price might not to be too far off. If you do it yourself you can use good synthetic and get it done for half of that. 30 000 is a good time for a first change. That oil is probably getting used up from the break in. Once you put new high end stuff in there you can leave it until 100k or longer in my opinion.

 

Do it yourself if you can. You'll spend significantly less and have better quality fluid than the dealer. I like Redline.

 

99% chance they use 75W90 in the transfer case; if they even touch it.

 

That’s true, but it DOES call for a special specification of oil that’s like $50 a quart. From what I remember. I used Lucas 75-90 in all three of mine but it’s a second gen.

 

I guess if your located in a warm climate year round its not as crucial for the choice of transfer case fluid.

 

$25-50 online.

Personally at only 30k miles you are wasting your money. Now if you submerged your differentials under water or some other unusual situation then perhaps changing it might be advised.

 

I used 75-90 down to -40*F with no problems.

 

Thanks for the replies. I did complain to the general manager/partner of the dealership. Got no good response. As an aside...I had the spark plugs replaced at 102,000 miles less than two years ago for $106. I was told that the next 30,000 mile spark plug change will cost $309. After almost 30 years purchasing Toyota trucks from this dealer and having them service the trucks. I think I'll be looking elsewhere for service.

 

Wonder if that Dealer even changed your spark plugs as l think the plugs alone run about $100 plus another $400-$500 in labor to install them.

 

Not even close lol

 

Diff’s don’t need special fluid, it’s not an actual limited slip and definitely not a real active diff it’s just a kinda misleading term to describe using the abs system to vector power away from a slipping wheel. Works okay actually, still not a mechanical limited slip and definitely not a fancy active diff like you get in an STI or a Defender.

As far as the price, sounds about right for getting both diffs and the t case done at the dealer. That’s mostly labor, not the fluid. It’s not a hard job if you want to DIY but gear oil is vile stuff.

 

As others have said ... It’s an easy job to change all three. No special fluid for transfer case, just use 75/90 on all three, doesn’t need to be synthetic. You can do it all for around $100 (6 qts fluid plus a $10 transfer pump). Can be a little messy and stinky but it’s easy and worth saving the money.

Tip = lower your spare tire for easier access to rear diff.

 

I used this flavor in my 2017. I haven't done the front differential or MT yet, waiting for next oil change. You far from Nebraska City?

 

I live near Lincoln.

 

It's not that difficult of a job changing the differentials and transfer case oils. I'm right outside of Nebraska City if you want help changing them. I think as others have mentioned the regular variety of

$26 75w-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75w-90 gear oils would work. I just bought this particular oil because it was way cheaper than Toyota name fluid. I just change mine because it's cheap and easy to do myself. Neighbor/coworker burns oil to heat his shop so disposal of old never a problem.
PM me if it's something you want help with.
Another thing to consider too though is for the dealer price you/they also have a record of service.

 

Thanks for the offer, but I'll pass. I question the price increase...+$200...in two years, but can afford it. I'm 78 and quit doing my own service work about 30 years ago...got tired of lying on my back covered with oil. The dealer's record of service on my last truck got me a very good Carfax Report and trade.

 

Well I understand being done with servicing vehicles, and I hope if I'm lucky enough to reach 78 that I'll be done by then too!
I think stick to what your owner's manual says for maintenance intervals. They'll still have a record of it for trade in time.