What kind of fluid does a Toyota Tundra rear diff take?
The rear differential on a Toyota Tundra uses SAE 75W-90 GL-5 synthetic gear oil.
For most model years, Toyota specifies a full-synthetic 75W-90 GL-5 gear oil to lubricate the rear differential, which protects gears and bearings under varying loads and temperatures. If your Tundra has an optional locking or limited-slip rear differential, ensure the oil you choose provides appropriate friction modifiers as indicated in the owner’s manual. Always verify the exact specification and service interval in your manual or from a Toyota dealer, since configurations can affect the recommended fluid.
Fluid specification for the Tundra rear differential
Below is a concise overview of the standard specification and guidance for choosing the right fluid. The vast majority of Tundra rear differentials use a synthetic 75W-90 GL-5 gear oil. If your truck is equipped with a locking differential or limited-slip differential, confirm whether friction modifiers are required and choose a product that includes them, or follow Toyota’s exact recommendation in the manual.
Recommended fluids that meet or exceed Toyota's GL-5 75W-90 specification are listed below. Choose a synthetic gear oil with GL-5 rating and the appropriate friction modifiers if your vehicle has a limited-slip or locking differential.
- Toyota Genuine Gear Oil 75W-90 GL-5
- Mobil 1 Synthetic Gear Oil 75W-90 GL-5
- Royal Purple Max Gear 75W-90 GL-5
- Valvoline Synthetic Gear Oil 75W-90 GL-5
In practice, any reputable 75W-90 GL-5 synthetic gear oil will work in the Tundra rear differential, provided it meets the GL-5 specification and includes appropriate friction modifiers for any limited-slip mechanism if your configuration requires them. Always consult the owner’s manual or a Toyota service technician to confirm the exact spec for your model year and drivetrain option.
Service and maintenance considerations
If you plan to service the rear differential yourself, follow these general steps to drain and refill correctly. This is a high-level guide; consult the service manual for exact torque specs and capacities.
- Prepare the vehicle on level ground, with the engine off and the parking brake engaged.
- Warm the differential oil by driving briefly, then raise the vehicle and support it securely.
- Remove the fill plug first to ensure you can refill after draining.
- Remove the drain plug and allow the old oil to drain completely into a suitable container.
- Inspect the drain plug and gasket; replace if damaged and reinstall the drain plug with the correct torque.
- Install the fill plug and add the recommended 75W-90 GL-5 synthetic gear oil until it begins to seep from the fill hole (or per the manual’s specified level).
- Reinstall the fill plug, wipe up any spills, and lower the vehicle. Run the vehicle briefly and recheck for leaks and proper oil level.
If you’re unsure about performing a differential oil change yourself, or if your Tundra has a more complex locking differential option, have a qualified technician perform the service to ensure the correct fluid, capacity, and torque specifications are followed.
Summary
For a Toyota Tundra, use a full-synthetic SAE 75W-90 GL-5 gear oil in the rear differential. Choose a product with the GL-5 rating and appropriate friction modifiers if your model has a limited-slip or locking differential. Always consult the owner’s manual or a Toyota dealer for the exact specification, capacity, and service intervals, and consider professional service if you’re not comfortable performing a diff oil change yourself.
Can I use 75w90 instead of 75w85 Toyota?
Yes, you can generally use 75W-90 instead of 75W-85 for most Toyota differentials, as the 75W-90 is a widely available and acceptable substitute. The main difference is that 75W-90 is slightly thicker at operating temperatures, but many mechanics and Toyota dealerships use it as a substitute because it's more common. It's crucial, however, to ensure the new fluid meets the correct GL rating (such as GL-5) for your vehicle's differential, as this is more important than the exact weight.
Key considerations
- Availability: 75W-85 is less common, making 75W-90 a practical alternative that is readily available at most auto parts stores.
- Viscosity: While 75W-90 is a bit thicker than 75W-85 at high temperatures, the difference is minimal and won't cause harm in most cases. Some sources even suggest that 75W-90 is preferable for heavy towing, although this is not always the case.
- GL rating: The most critical factor is the gear oil's GL rating, which specifies its suitability for different types of gears. Make sure the 75W-90 fluid you choose is compatible with your vehicle's requirements (e.g., GL-5 for most differentials).
- Additives: Be mindful of the additives, particularly for differentials with electronic lockers. Some oils may have anti-wear additives that can harm these components. It's best to stick to a fluid that is specified for your differential type.
- Performance: You might notice a slight decrease in fuel efficiency with the thicker 75W-90 fluid compared to the OEM 75W-85. However, this difference is usually minimal.
Recommendation
- If you can't find the 75W-85, a high-quality 75W-90 synthetic gear oil with the correct GL-5 rating is a perfectly acceptable substitute for most Toyota differentials.
- Some older or specific models might require a GL-4 rating for the transmission. Double-check your owner's manual to confirm the correct GL rating before making a purchase.
What kind of fluid does a Toyota Tundra rear differential take?
The Toyota Tundra rear differential fluid type is SAE 75W-85 GL-5, or a compatible synthetic 75W-90 GL-5 gear oil. The specific fluid and viscosity can vary by model year, so it's crucial to check your owner's manual for the exact specification and fill capacity for your truck. Some older models, like a 2006, may specifically require an 80W-90 gear oil to prevent chatter.
You can watch this video to learn how to change the rear differential fluid on a Toyota Tundra: 59sIowa BuckeyeYouTube · Apr 6, 2025
- Recommended Type: SAE 75W-85 GL-5 is the general recommendation for most Tundras, but you should verify in your owner's manual.
- Alternative Type: Some sources suggest a synthetic 75W-90 GL-5 is also a compatible option.
- Older Models: Be sure to check your owner's manual, as some older models, such as the 2006, may require an 80W-90 gear oil specifically to prevent chatter.
- Key Specifications: Always use a gear oil that meets the GL-5 specification. Some Tundra models also require a specific "LT" (Long-Life) or "LF" (Limited Slip) type oil, so check your manual.
- Capacity: The required fluid capacity varies, so check your owner's manual for the exact amount for your specific model and drivetrain.
What kind of oil does a Toyota diff take?
Genuine Toyota Differential Gear Oil 85W-90 GL-5 4 Litres.
How much fluid does a 2004 Toyota Tundra rear differential take?
The 2004 Toyota Tundra rear differential fluid capacity is approximately 3.15 to 3.8 quarts, depending on whether it has an open or limited-slip differential, and whether it's a 2WD or 4WD model. A 2WD model with an open differential holds about 3.83.83.8 liters, while a 4WD model holds about 3.53.53.5 liters, and both are filled to the level of the fill/check plug.
You can watch this video to learn how to change the rear differential fluid on a 2004 Toyota Tundra: 1mJustCarPeopleThingsYouTube · Jan 7, 2024
Rear differential fluid capacity by model
- 2WD with Open Differential: 3.83.83.8 liters ( 4.0space 4.0 4.0 quarts)
- 2WD with Limited-Slip Differential (LSD): 3.153.153.15 liters ( 3.3space 3.3 3.3 quarts)
- 4WD with Open Differential: 3.53.53.5 liters ( 3.7space 3.7 3.7 quarts)
- 4WD with Limited-Slip Differential (LSD): 2.852.852.85 liters ( 3.0space 3.0 3.0 quarts)
Important considerations
- Fill to level: You do not need to fill the entire capacity. Instead, fill the differential with fluid until it begins to flow out of the fill/check plug hole, then stop.
- Synthetic fluid: Toyota recommends using synthetic oil, as stated by AMSOIL.
- Fluid type: Use a hypoid gear oil (GL-5) of the appropriate viscosity, such as 80W-90 or 75W-85, as recommended by Toyota.
