2019-2023 Rav4 omission in Owners manual for Gear Oil

[SiRDOHC]

Had a tough time yesterday confirming if this oil (Motul MotylGear) 75W-85 (no LS additive) was suitable for Transfer Case and Differential.

I know I can use 75W-90 with or without LS additives in this, but this is the gear oil I had on hand and wanted to use up.

2019-2023 Owner's Manuals state Toyota 75w-85 LX or equivalent unless you have Torque Vectoring Models which most do not have.
I took this to mean that it needs LS Additives, but I found a Lexus Bulletin that states you can use either or in non torque vectoring RX350s, so it should also be the same on RAV4.

Dug in a bit deeper and in 2024+ RAV4 the owner's manual states you can use the LX or LT or equivalent for the non vectoring models.

Just hoping to save someone the headache if they run into this as it caused me.

 

[Ausfahrt]

I'm sticking with Toyota fluids for our '21 Rav4 hybrid.

 

[SiRDOHC]

I'm sticking with Toyota fluids for our '21 Rav4 hybrid.

Gear oil doesn't apply to Hybrid RAV4's they only use ATF.

This was for Gas versions that have a traditional Transfer case and differential. The Toyota Gear Oils are not even sold at all Toyota dealers up in Canada. Nothing special about it, 3-4x the price of regular gear oil and it comes in an annoying can.

 

[D60]

Gear oil doesn't apply to Hybrid RAV4's they only use ATF.

This was for Gas versions that have a traditional Transfer case and differential. The Toyota Gear Oils are not even sold at all Toyota dealers up in Canada. Nothing special about it, 3-4x the price of regular gear oil and it comes in an annoying can.

So sounds like another great application for Amsoil's Synchromesh. @Pablo?

edit: t-case only. I wouldn't use it in a diff

 

[Pablo]

Had a tough time yesterday confirming if this oil (Motul MotylGear) 75W-85 (no LS additive) was suitable for Transfer Case and Differential.

I know I can use 75W-90 with or without LS additives in this, but this is the gear oil I had on hand and wanted to use up.

2019-2023 Owner's Manuals state Toyota 75w-85 LX or equivalent unless you have Torque Vectoring Models which most do not have.
I took this to mean that it needs LS Additives, but I found a Lexus Bulletin that states you can use either or in non torque vectoring RX350s, so it should also be the same on RAV4.

Dug in a bit deeper and in 2024+ RAV4 the owner's manual states you can use the LX or LT or equivalent for the non vectoring models.

Just hoping to save someone the headache if they run into this as it caused me.

https://www.amsoil.com/p/amsoil-severe-gear-75w-85-100-synthetic-gear-lube-svl/?zo=515729

 

[Rand]

So sounds like another great application for Amsoil's Synchromesh. @Pablo?

edit: t-case only. I wouldn't use it in a diff

The rav4 hybrid is abit different.. it takes WS ATF..in rear diff.
so are you saying you would use synchromesh instead of WS ATF in both locations or what?

 

[Pablo]

The rav4 hybrid is abit different.. it takes WS ATF..in rear diff.
so are you saying you would use synchromesh instead of WS ATF in both locations or what?

I have not studied this application yet

 

[D60]

The rav4 hybrid is abit different.. it takes WS ATF..in rear diff.
so are you saying you would use synchromesh instead of WS ATF in both locations or what?

If the t-case calls for any of Toyota's "lighter" gear oils (eg 75W85 etc) I've been using the Amsoil Synchromesh in Tacos, Tundras and most recently an FJ Cruiser.

So I'm saying in the RAV4 t-case it may be a contender. I was hoping Pablo might confirm, but he says he doesn't know, which is fine.

I'm not at all familiar with a diff that calls for WS, so no idea there.

 

[Rand]

If the t-case calls for any of Toyota's "lighter" gear oils (eg 75W85 etc) I've been using the Amsoil Synchromesh in Tacos, Tundras and most recently an FJ Cruiser.

So I'm saying in the RAV4 t-case it may be a contender. I was hoping Pablo might confirm, but he says he doesn't know, which is fine.

I'm not at all familiar with a diff that calls for WS, so no idea there.

but there is no typical tcase on a rav4 hybrid.
unless I'm off my rocker

The rear wheels are powered by electric motor only.
and the front is shared, electric motor and gas motor.. with a planetary gearset for the cvt. which isnt a regular CVT.

 

[D60]

but there is no typical tcase on a rav4 hybrid.
unless I'm off my rocker

The rear wheels are powered by electric motor only.
and the front is shared, electric motor and gas motor.. with a planetary gearset for the cvt. which isnt a regular CVT.

I read Post #3 from OP to say this does use a traditional t-case, but perhaps he was saying a different application used a traditional t-case.

A thousand apologies, I believe I was completely mistaken.

 

[SiRDOHC]

Yes this is for the Straight Gas RAV4 models and more specifically the trim levels without Torque Vectoring.

What are thoughts about the product I used?

Motul MotylGear 75W-85.

Used it in transfer case and differential.

 

[TheBrightSide]

If the t-case calls for any of Toyota's "lighter" gear oils (eg 75W85 etc) I've been using the Amsoil Synchromesh in Tacos, Tundras and most recently an FJ Cruiser.

So I'm saying in the RAV4 t-case it may be a contender. I was hoping Pablo might confirm, but he says he doesn't know, which is fine.

I'm not at all familiar with a diff that calls for WS, so no idea there.

Does the manual specify whether the 75w-85 is a GL-5 gear oil or not? I would assume so, but I’m also not sure, as I’ve had plenty of different transfer cases that I’ve worked on. A lot took different kinds of recommended ATF, while some were spec’d GL-5 gear oil.

Since you’re using Amsoil Synchromesh MTF (GL-4 75w-80), I’m assuming the transfer case calls for either? Not well versed on certain applications, but I know Toyota, Scion, Lexus, and Subaru have spec’d both GL-4 and GL-5 gear oils/MTF in their manual transmission gearboxes. I usually stick to GL-4 for those, and a GL-4+ (GL-4/5 compatible) at the most.

 

[TheBrightSide]

Yes this is for the Straight Gas RAV4 models and more specifically the trim levels without Torque Vectoring.

What are thoughts about the product I used?

Motul MotylGear 75W-85.

Used it in transfer case and differential.

View attachment 292783

Motylgear is a GL-4+ (GL-4/5 compatible), which is fine to use in either; nothing wrong with that. I’d probably stick to the tried and true GL-5 for the differentials and hypoid gear applications. GL-4 and lower is more for manual transmissions/gearboxes, which need a yellow metal safe oil.

 

[SiRDOHC]

Motylgear is a GL-4+ (GL-4/5 compatible), which is fine to use in either; nothing wrong with that. I’d probably stick to the tried and true GL-5 for the differentials and hypoid gear applications. GL-4 and lower is more for manual transmissions/gearboxes, which need a yellow metal safe oil.

The Motylgear lacks that typical, strong and unmistakable gear oil scent. Wondering what it’s missing or if it’s using something else to get to the same protection goal.

With it being GL4/5 should I be concerned about it holding up? The factory fill dumped at 29k Km did not look too pretty especially from the transfer case.

 

[SC Maintenance]

This is what my 2019 manual says - LX for both models - which does have the LSD additive.

Do you need it, I have no idea. But I do find it odd given that LT without LSD additive is still a current Toyota product. Note that the standard AWD is still Dynamic Torque Control - which is a type of LSD as well. How exactly it works, I don't know. The Torque vectoring version has some sort of viscous coupling, per the Toyota propoganda.

 

[SC Maintenance]

but there is no typical tcase on a rav4 hybrid.
unless I'm off my rocker

The rear wheels are powered by electric motor only.
and the front is shared, electric motor and gas motor.. with a planetary gearset for the cvt. which isnt a regular CVT.

This is correct - Hybrid = No TC, no driveshaft.

 

[SiRDOHC]

This is what my 2019 manual says - LX for both models - which does have the LSD additive.

Do you need it, I have no idea. But I do find it odd given that LT without LSD additive is still a current Toyota product.



View attachment 293145

Same with mine. The part numbers on the differential and transfer case do not change for 2024. I suspect it was a mistake. I also found this. Lexus Bulletin

 

[SC Maintenance]

Same with mine. The part numbers on the differential and transfer case do not change for 2024. I suspect it was a mistake. I also found this. Lexus Bulletin

Helpful. What color was the fluid that came out?

"The Difference between LT and LX gear oil can be easily identified by the color of the fluid.o LX gear oil is red/pink in color.o LT gear oil is tan/brown in color"

 

[SiRDOHC]

Helpful. What color was the fluid that came out?

"The Difference between LT and LX gear oil can be easily identified by the color of the fluid.o LX gear oil is red/pink in color.o LT gear oil is tan/brown in color"

 

[SC Maintenance]

View attachment 293158

View attachment 293159

View attachment 293160

If you blot or put a couple drops on white paper towel - does it look redish tint? Your first pic seems to have the redish tint, but I of course am looking at it on a monitor.

How many miles on that fluid? Looks pretty dark.