Poll do you use Toyota Transfer case fluid or other

Curious how many people are using the liquid gold Toyota fluid in transfer case or something else.

 

Redline MT-LV at the moment. Have used Ravenol MTF-3 75w in the past. Both excellent.

 

My ORP is too new to change fluid yet. I wonder if you used Redline MT-LV 70-75 GL-4, and had a warranty issue related to transfer case, would Toyota refuse warranty by not using the “liquid gold” OEM fluid? If not mistaken, Car Care Nut said GL-5 is fine for TC. Use
Same as in front and rear diff?

 

Anything warranty related to transfer case and not using Toyota fluid would be denied I assume. As long as it's not a different color fluid like Royal Purple not sure they would know. I haven't looked at the Toyota fluid side by side to another. Doubt they would do an oil analysis but who knows.

Transfer case problems are very rare from my experience. But there are always 1 in a million part failures.

 

I am not opposed to using OEM fluids but the cost of the TC OEM is out of line with other fluids like transmission, front and rear diff and motor oil

 

ATF and coolant I agree since don't do full flush just drain and fill with the same OEM. Transfer case I am uncertain. Not sure when Toyota changed the spec. My g1 taco did not have this OEM requirement and have been running 75w90 synthetic gear oil for 200k no issues. Not sure if they changed something in transfer case that warrants a specific fluid.

 

The transfer case fluid OEM is exorbitant cost. If it's really needed I am fine paying the price. Just not sure if it's really giving better protection. In my taco have always run Amsoil severe gear with great results and recently switched to Valvoline full synthetic gear oil. Not sure OEM is better than either.

 

Mobil 1 and Amsoil 75/90 before without issues.

In before the big oil debate. Toyota doesn’t make oil.

 

I used Mobil 1 Synthetic gear oil 75-90 in my 2016 Tacoma TRDOR TC. No problems but only kept 7 years

 

Is this in 4r or your old taco? Assuming the taco spec was the OEM gear oil?

 

Amsoil in the Runner but both in the Taco. The transfer case has been the same for both since the 4th gen Runner and 2nd gen Tacoma.

 

So the transfer case has been the same for 20 years and failures are very rare. I have to believe millions of users are not using the OEM fluid.

 

I haven't completed the transfer case service yet as I am only at 25K miles but I have already replaced the differentials with amsoil 75W-90 severe gear and will use the same fluid in the transfer case when it comes time. According to Car Care Nut the dealers don't even use Toyota fluid due to the price and that any quality 75-90 will be just fine.

 

I’m betting most people don’t change it at all because they don’t want to pay for it.

 

I would love to hear from Toyota techs if they are using at dealer. All I have heard is the comments people saying dealer uses bulk drums 75w90.

 

My dealer said they use 75-90 synthetic in front diff, TC and rear diff. If you had service orders showing dealer service they couldn’t deny warranty work. If doing it yourself, that’s another question. I’m guessing a dealer would never admit to Toyota, they used non-OEM fluids. I had a Honda dealer use phosphate containing coolant in my Accord (requiring phosphate free coolant) and the heater core corroded and leaked. They replaced under warranty.

 

They most likely do due to cost. Also opening individual cans of OEM branded stuff made by someone else takes time away from servicing the next vehicle.

 

Liqui Moly MTF 5100 75w

 

The Toyota dealers in my area do not use Toyota transfer case fluid.

 

+1 here too.

Just ensure the fluid you choose meets the specifications in the owners manual. This isn’t rocket science.

 

I think that's the tough part. I am not aware of any after market fluid meeting the OEM spec. Toyota has not released it.

 

I’ll use the liquid gold when the time comes. Don’t drive much, so I can afford to buy the oem stuff once every 5 years.

 

That was my understanding as well. The manual states “or equivalent” but does not mention what that is. This is contrast to the differentials, where they clearly indicate an equivalent has to be a gl-5 gear oil.

I believe redline has a formulation that they claim to be an equivalent, but I don’t know if it’s a guess, or reversed engineered, or how they got to the formulation.

 

The answer is here:
https://www.4runners.com/threads/wo...ead-of-the-70-toyota-fluid.12858/#post-222929

 

I've always used Valvoline or Mobil 1 gear oil in all my Toyotas over the years.

 

I'm using Redline MT-LV.

 

I knew I remembered seeing something like this a while back. Thanks for digging it up! Makes me feel more and more like my choice of oil was not what led to my TC failure.

 

Redline MT-LV

 

Exactly, there is zero reason to use any pet brand.

 

I will be using Ravenol 75W this time around at $36 per quart.
I also now use the bags of Valvoline 75w-90 for the diffs. Super easy to use and cheaper.
I am going to use Toyota ATF, however. Two drain and fills.