transmission fluid

[knoxtoy87]

i have a 89 corolla. i'm wondering if the transmission fluid and differential fluid are different.

[knoxtoy87]

help..

[toyomoho]

If an automatic, use the same fluid in the differentials as specified for the trans. Otherwise, use a gear oil such a 75W-90.

[knoxtoy87]

its a automatic. is there another fill in plug to the differential?

[diver9000]

Your car is front wheel drive .... right?

[knoxtoy87]

yeah

[knoxtoy87]

yeah

[freakinbox]

I always thought on a fwd the diff ran in your tranny meaning it ran in the tranny oil?

[toyomoho]

Not sure if this trans shares the diff and trans fluid. Check around the diff housing for fill and drain plugs. The drain plug could be on the bottom or driver’s side of the differential house. The fill plug could be on the rear of the diff housing between the housing and firewall, or on the drivers side of the housing. If they exist, make sure you find the fill plug and that it can be loosened before removing the diff drain plug.

[20vstarlet]

They run the same fluid but are two different systems, completely sealed from each other. A good upgrade is to run gear oil in the diff. I know this because I blew up my 90 trans and had it rebuilt.

[20vstarlet]

The diff fill plug is against the fire wall and mine took a 17mm wrench

[knoxtoy87]

what kind of gear oil can i use?

[20vstarlet]

I can't remember what weight I used but it was something towards the lighter end of the scale.

[toyomoho]

Toyota recommends running in the differential whatever fluid is used in the transmission. If an automatic, this would be Dexron, Type V, etc. If a manual, this would be 75W-90. Automatic transmission fluid is basically a 10-weight oil.

[knoxtoy87]

i cant find the plug