Major fluid change at 112k
- Thread starter welchsoft
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- Thread starter
- #22
And not to belabor this point but why is Toyota charging $90 per quart for the transfer case oil and Vevenol is charging $16.95 per quart of what they claim is:
- Qty 2 Ravenol Gear Oil MTF-3 75W 1 Liter. Replacement and equivalent to Toyota center transfer case fluid part numbers 08885-81080 US spec and 08885-81081 Euro spec. (Capacity 1.5 liters, 1.6 quarts)
Last edited:
bloc
SILVER Star
Short version: the special sauce appears (and smells like) it has some unique properties. Toyota started specifying it to coincide with a change in transfer case part number, and digging around in the diagrams it seems it added some kind of synchro, which are usually made of "yellow metal" and additives in typical GL-5 gear lubricants can be bad for these alloys.
I see no glaring reason not to run the ravenol stuff, and have, though it doesn't have the unique smell/tint, which could indicate lack of some specific additive. That doesn't mean ravenol doesn't use something else to achieve the same results. I haven't decided whether I'll switch back to OEM for my next drain/fill.
Also note that the toyota sauce is "only" $67 on the discount sites. Used to be $50. Yay.
Lots of discussion here: $80/liter transfer case oil - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/80-liter-transfer-case-oil.1059141/
I suggest doing it yourself. If you’re going out into the great beyond, knowing your rig is a reasonable survival/return skill.
If you’re just refreshing and it will stay on pavement, then I suggest you baseline all fluids for reliability and cheap insurance on long trips.
If you’re just refreshing and it will stay on pavement, then I suggest you baseline all fluids for reliability and cheap insurance on long trips.
What year 200s require the special snake oil?
bloc
SILVER Star
There is some disparity between the LX and LC manuals requiring 75w-90 vs the new 75wt, but I seem to remember the transfer case update happening some time in 2010. I believe it is all covered in the above linked thread.
- Thread starter
- #27
Just to follow up. Had the dealer to a AT flush (they call it a ATFWA flush Transmission with world standard fluid and flush transmission cooler). Two service representatives told me it was not necessary as the transmission fluid is 'lifetime'. So I have the service manager get me a sample of the fluid as it was coming out during the flush. He was surprised and commented that it really did need a flush. As a FYI: $142 labor, and $209 for 17 quarts of fluid.
What mileage did you do the AT flush? Since I tow a lot I have baselines to do oil every 5000 miles and diffs and transfer case every 30000miles. Figured brake fluid, power steering and radiator around 60,000miles. Currently at 35k on my 2018 200.
My LC gets the fluid changed in the transfer case and difs every 30k and transmission every 60k. It’s cheap insurance.
Agreed. And I like even round numbers! My brain remembers them better! Thanks.
- Thread starter
- #32
What do you use for fluid in the transfer case and diffs?
Stealership did it. So Toyota fluids. It’s under warranty and it was $120 each so I’m ok with paying it.
