I'll admit to being a tad (ok, way) on the anal side when it comes to my cars and trucks so forgive me. I went into a lube and oil change place today which carries Redline oil and gear oil. After waiting for nearly an hour to get the front diff, rear diff, 6 speed transmission, and transfer case drained and refilled with Redline gear oil, the oil change fellow told me not to bother, that they already come with synthetic gear oil from the factory. I have NEVER heard that before, and seriously doubt it's accuracy, but is it true? Between the incorrect information I have received from the Toyota Salesman, Finance manager, parts dept, and even the service department I am about to lose all faith in the automotive field. Does Toyota use synthetic gear oil in the factory???
Another Toyota Tacoma misinformation
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At least plausible. You lose a lot of power turning it 90 degrees like in a rear axle, it's a great place to improve efficiency which everyone wants. I've had owners manuals read that syn only is the way to go-- but admittedly not for toyota.
Originally Posted By: Binkmann
I'll admit to being a tad (ok, way) on the anal side when it comes to my cars and trucks so forgive me. I went into a lube and oil change place today which carries Redline oil and gear oil. After waiting for nearly an hour to get the front diff, rear diff, 6 speed transmission, and transfer case drained and refilled with Redline gear oil, the oil change fellow told me not to bother, that they already come with synthetic gear oil from the factory. I have NEVER heard that before, and seriously doubt it's accuracy, but is it true? Between the incorrect information I have received from the Toyota Salesman, Finance manager, parts dept, and even the service department I am about to lose all faith in the automotive field. Does Toyota use synthetic gear oil in the factory???
It would help a lot to know the year of your truck to give an accurate answer.
2013 Tacoma calls for 75W85 front and rear and it is in fact synthetic.
I'll admit to being a tad (ok, way) on the anal side when it comes to my cars and trucks so forgive me. I went into a lube and oil change place today which carries Redline oil and gear oil. After waiting for nearly an hour to get the front diff, rear diff, 6 speed transmission, and transfer case drained and refilled with Redline gear oil, the oil change fellow told me not to bother, that they already come with synthetic gear oil from the factory. I have NEVER heard that before, and seriously doubt it's accuracy, but is it true? Between the incorrect information I have received from the Toyota Salesman, Finance manager, parts dept, and even the service department I am about to lose all faith in the automotive field. Does Toyota use synthetic gear oil in the factory???
It would help a lot to know the year of your truck to give an accurate answer.
2013 Tacoma calls for 75W85 front and rear and it is in fact synthetic.
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Info from and within the dealer will vary.
On my new vehicles, I typically change all of the drivetrain fluids after a 5,000 mile break-in period - replacing them with Amsoil Severe Gear 75W-90 or synthetic ATF (where applicable).
IF you plan on keeping your new Tacoma a long time, then consider doing the same and upgrade to synthetic (whether or not the factory fill was synthetic).
The factory fill oil doesn't wear out, but will be heavily contaminated with a lot of metal particles as the new gears mate together and form smooth surfaces.
These metal particles cause unneeded friction and reduce MPG's. Remember you are changing the break-in fluid to get the metal flakes out - not because the oil is wornout and cannot go longer.
On my new vehicles, I typically change all of the drivetrain fluids after a 5,000 mile break-in period - replacing them with Amsoil Severe Gear 75W-90 or synthetic ATF (where applicable).
IF you plan on keeping your new Tacoma a long time, then consider doing the same and upgrade to synthetic (whether or not the factory fill was synthetic).
The factory fill oil doesn't wear out, but will be heavily contaminated with a lot of metal particles as the new gears mate together and form smooth surfaces.
These metal particles cause unneeded friction and reduce MPG's. Remember you are changing the break-in fluid to get the metal flakes out - not because the oil is wornout and cannot go longer.
My Tacoma is in fact a 2013, and according to the owners manual it uses the following-
F & R diff - 75w-85 GL-5 gear oil
Transmission - 75w-90 GL-4 gear oil
Transfer case - 75w-90 GL5 gear oil
I know the engine comes factory broken in, but maybe I will wait for a few thousand miles before switching to Synthetic in the drive train if it is not already in there which is what I am trying to determine. I find it discouraging that people who should be in the know (ie. Toyota Service Department) about these things are in fact clueless.
F & R diff - 75w-85 GL-5 gear oil
Transmission - 75w-90 GL-4 gear oil
Transfer case - 75w-90 GL5 gear oil
I know the engine comes factory broken in, but maybe I will wait for a few thousand miles before switching to Synthetic in the drive train if it is not already in there which is what I am trying to determine. I find it discouraging that people who should be in the know (ie. Toyota Service Department) about these things are in fact clueless.
Great advice! Thank, will do.
You're correct to double check what someone working in the auto service tells you about lubricants and fluids. It's possible that what they know is not so.
Thanks Dave 123 for the helpful insight.
Synthetic has been common in those components from the factory for about a decade now, at least in domestic trucks.
I would still change factory fills early to remove break in junk, but yes, it is probably synthetic and you could probably get away with running it indefinitely as many people do.
I would still change factory fills early to remove break in junk, but yes, it is probably synthetic and you could probably get away with running it indefinitely as many people do.
How many miles should I wait until I change the oil? It sounds like the number being tossed around is 5K, which given my driving habits will take about a year. I am not familiar with differential and transmission break in periods. Thanks again for the feedback.
5K miles should cover the break in on the whole drivetrain and one year would be a good time to change everything out. Most of the gray junk that comes out the first time you change a diff's fluid is from the first few thousand miles.
Yes, wait til 5k and then run redline. Maybe change it all every 50k after that depending on use and you will have a clean happy drivetrain for the life of the vehicle.
I'm running their MT-90 in the 5 speed on my Toyota pickup and F250. Best shift feel I have found.
I'm running their MT-90 in the 5 speed on my Toyota pickup and F250. Best shift feel I have found.
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