Changing trans & diff fluid

[hatrabbit]

According to the service schedule for my '03 Tacoma 2wd, unless the vehicle is used under harsh conditions the tranny & rear end fluids never need changing. Do you guys agree? What rules of thumb do you use?

[snobdrblinkchik]

WTF??? Where does it say that in the manual? anyways I change my tranny (manual) every 30k....rear diff 20k, front diff 30k

it's all very easy to do...just make sure you take off the fill plug before the drain plug...cuz if you do the drain plug first, and for some reason can't get the fill plug off, you'll have an empty diff/tranny that u can't refill and that's not good

[JeremyH]

Here, this is for a jeep, but it should work in your case as well:
http://www.stu-offroad.com/misc/diff-1.htm

BTW, I change the fluid in my diff's every six months. If you run through deep water, it is also a good idea to drain and fill the diff's as axle seals can easily leak and let water in.....which isnt good for your gears.