Rav4.2 Oil Service

[rpaterson]

Hi Folks - long time, no post!

If the rain stops, I'm going to change the gearbox and diff oil on my wife's '02 2.0 NRG. I've got the GL5 spec oil for the box and diff, but I was wondering if the RAV had LSDs??? All I know for certain is that it's permanent 4wd, but I don't know about the diffs. Also, is the front diff integral with the gearbox on this model? I see from the Toyota Tech site that some models have a separate front diff.

Thanks folks.

[bothwell_buyer]

If the rain stops, I'm going to ..........

wotdya mean IF the rain stops? Its bucketing down in Lanarkshire so it must be wet in Ayrshire! Thats what supermarket carrier bags are for - rain-wear!

[anchorman]

No limited slip diff's! The transfer box is attached to the front diff permanently in such a way that between the rear axle diff and the front diff they do away with the need for a third diff and transmission wind up between the two axles is eliminated.

Keep in mind that you need to change the rear diff oil - plugs shown here;

The gearbox oil (which includes the front diff');

..........and the transfer oil;

Here are the specs for the oil (ignore the auto box).

Good luck.

[rpaterson]

Thanks anchorman. I've got 80/90W for the back diff and 75/90W for the box/front diff (both GL5). I didn't know about the transfer oil and the links haven't shown up. Can I be a pest and ask what the grade is and what capacity it is???

[anchorman]

Thanks anchorman. I've got 80/90W for the back diff and 75/90W for the box/front diff (both GL5). I didn't know about the transfer oil and the links haven't shown up. Can I be a pest and ask what the grade is and what capacity it is???

No probs

It is 0.9 litre of GL5 straight 90 but it shows 80W/90 for low temp operation. If you have that it will be OK.

If you pm me with your email I will send you the service data sheet.

Cheers

[jospom]

Thanks anchorman. I've got 80/90W for the back diff and 75/90W for the box/front diff (both GL5). I didn't know about the transfer oil and the links haven't shown up. Can I be a pest and ask what the grade is and what capacity it is???

No probs

It is 0.9 litre of GL5 straight 90 but it shows 80W/90 for low temp operation. If you have that it will be OK.

If you pm me with your email I will send you the service data sheet.

Cheers

;) http://www.shell.com/home/it-it/html/iwgen...italy_0403.html ;)

Application Recommendation Capacity (ltr)

Engine (DT) HELIX F 5W-30 5.9

Manual Transmission Premium SPIRAX ASX 75W-90 2.1

Standard SPIRAX X 75W-90

Automatic Transmission

Differential Premium SPIRAX AX 80W-90 0.5

Standard SPIRAX A 80W-90

Coolant REFER TO OWNERS HANDBOOK 7.3

Transfer Box Premium SPIRAX AX 80W-90 0.5

Standard SPIRAX A 80W-90

Brake Fluid DONAX YB

[rpaterson]

Cheers guys, but I'm still a bit confused. I've got the 2 page pdf of the service data sheet, but I'm still wondering about the transfer oil. In the second bottom pic of the service sheet it seems to indicate that it doesn't apply to manual boxes (but that auto's get 0.9 litres) as there is just a line next to the manual box symbol.

Looking at the gearbox capacities I see that the 4wd box takes 1.5 litres more than the 2wd box. I was putting this down to the transfer oil being integral with the box oil???

The pics are very handy (they didn't show up at work, but are fine at home). A very clever person once told me to loosen off the fill plugs before draining any fluids as there's nothing worse that draining oild and not being able to fill it back up again!

[anchorman]

Thanks anchorman. I've got 80/90W for the back diff and 75/90W for the box/front diff (both GL5). I didn't know about the transfer oil and the links haven't shown up. Can I be a pest and ask what the grade is and what capacity it is???

No probs

It is 0.9 litre of GL5 straight 90 but it shows 80W/90 for low temp operation. If you have that it will be OK.

If you pm me with your email I will send you the service data sheet.

Cheers

;) http://www.shell.com/home/it-it/html/iwgen...italy_0403.html ;)

Application Recommendation Capacity (ltr)

Engine (DT) HELIX F 5W-30 5.9

Manual Transmission Premium SPIRAX ASX 75W-90 2.1 Standard SPIRAX X 75W-90

Automatic Transmission

Differential Premium SPIRAX AX 80W-90 0.5

Standard SPIRAX A 80W-90

Coolant REFER TO OWNERS HANDBOOK 7.3

Transfer Box Premium SPIRAX AX 80W-90 0.5

Standard SPIRAX A 80W-90

Brake Fluid DONAX YB

Thanks for the link. However, I think this is for the 4.3 and anyone reading this should not be tempted to use 75W/90 in the gearbox or selecting gears from low ambient temperatures will be almost impossible.

[anchorman]

Cheers guys, but I'm still a bit confused. I've got the 2 page pdf of the service data sheet, but I'm still wondering about the transfer oil. In the second bottom pic of the service sheet it seems to indicate that it doesn't apply to manual boxes (but that auto's get 0.9 litres) as there is just a line next to the manual box symbol.

Looking at the gearbox capacities I see that the 4wd box takes 1.5 litres more than the 2wd box. I was putting this down to the transfer oil being integral with the box oil???

The pics are very handy (they didn't show up at work, but are fine at home). A very clever person once told me to loosen off the fill plugs before draining any fluids as there's nothing worse that draining oild and not being able to fill it back up again!

You are right about the data sheet but as far as I know all with 4WD have a seperate transfer box and I have crawled under both petrol and diesel variants and changed the oils. I can only think that in error they have shown the spec' for FWD only models???

It is easy to check. The transfer box is just about under where your feet go when driving - stick your head under and look!!!

[rpaterson]

Ok, I'm definately being a pest now anchroman. In a previous post (a reply to jospom?) you state that 75W/90 SHOULDN'T be used in the gearbox. That's what I've bought as I'm sure that's what the spec sheet said. Do I need to take this back to swap it for 90W??? Fortunately, I'm friendly with the guy on the counter...

[anchorman]

Ok, I'm definately being a pest now anchroman. In a previous post (a reply to jospom?) you state that 75W/90 SHOULDN'T be used in the gearbox. That's what I've bought as I'm sure that's what the spec sheet said. Do I need to take this back to swap it for 90W??? Fortunately, I'm friendly with the guy on the counter...

No mate, you are OK with 75W/90 for your 4.2 - that is correct.

The info that jospom kindly supplied suggests from the capacities of 5.9 litres for the engine and 2.1 litres for the gearbox are for the 4.3 with a 2.2 D4D and a 6 speed box. In this case straight 75W should only be used in the box or gear selection problems will result in cold weather. The best supplier for this oil is Kingo.

[rpaterson]

Thanks anchorman. I think I've also sussed out the confusion with the data sheet pdf. Forgive me, but I've not got it in front of me;

Gear box and front diff are 75W/90 and it takes 3.4 litres

Transfer box is 80W/90 or straight 90 and it takes 0.9 litres. I think the pdf is supposed to show that it's the same capacity and grade for both manual and auto boxes - but it is confusing!

Rear diff is 80W/90 or straight 90 and it also takes 0.9 litres

Pheeeew.

[anchorman]

Thanks anchorman. I think I've also sussed out the confusion with the data sheet pdf. Forgive me, but I've not got it in front of me;

Gear box and front diff are 75W/90 and it takes 3.4 litres

Transfer box is 80W/90 or straight 90 and it takes 0.9 litres. I think the pdf is supposed to show that it's the same capacity and grade for both manual and auto boxes - but it is confusing!

Rear diff is 80W/90 or straight 90 and it also takes 0.9 litres

Pheeeew.

It is confusing. To me it looks like the transfer box is not applicable to the manual box but I don't know why???

[rpaterson]

I always thought that the Toyota Production System was supposed to fix problems!

Ah well, I'll drop the fluids next month and see what the score is...

[rpaterson]

Wow, did the jobs yesterday. Nightmare. I'm definately buying some form of fluid pump before I change any other fluids!!!

They were all a doddle to drain. Obviously the engine was a easy to fill, the gearbox wasn't too bad, the diff was 'OK' but the transfer box was horrific. Why don't they give you enough space to tilt a 1 litre bottle easily??? I resorted to using the actual fill plug on the transfer box along with a length of garden hose cable-tied to the strut brace!

Never mind, four years (I think) before it needs done again!

ps, don't even think about trying to push gear oil through windscreen washer tubing using a big syringe when the outside temp is 2 degrees C.

[CitadelBlue]

No limited slip diff's! The transfer box is attached to the front diff permanently in such a way that between the rear axle diff and the front diff they do away with the need for a third diff and transmission wind up between the two axles is eliminated.

Keep in mind that you need to change the rear diff oil - plugs shown here;

Good luck.

Anchorman .... I know this post is 2+ years old, but what kind (and size) of wrench do I need to remove the drain plug for the diff. I'm heading 500 miles south to TN (from VA) to do a fluid change on my daughter's 2004 AWD RAV4 and I want to ensure I take the right tools. In the picture above I can't figure out if you are using a socket or something else ....

Thanks from across the pond ......

Ken

[anchorman]

Hi Ken and welcome to the club.

Its actually a socket driving an allen key. From memory it is 10mm but if you have a set take the lot as I've slept since then! You could use ordinary keys but that ratchet just gives extra purchase.

PS I used to be based in Smithville TN but stayed a few miles away in Cookeville as it wasn't a dry county!!!

Hope everything goes OK with the oil service.

Cheers

[CitadelBlue]

Hi Ken and welcome to the club.

Its actually a socket driving an allen key. From memory it is 10mm but if you have a set take the lot as I've slept since then! You could use ordinary keys but that ratchet just gives extra purchase.

PS I used to be based in Smithville TN but stayed a few miles away in Cookeville as it wasn't a dry county!!!

Hope everything goes OK with the oil service.

Cheers

She's in Knoxville ..... Attended UT and decided to stay after graduation ......

Wow an allen key? ..... Maybe the US version of the RAV4 will use a 1/2inch square socket driver or even a metric socket ...

[anchorman]

Hi Ken and welcome to the club.

Its actually a socket driving an allen key. From memory it is 10mm but if you have a set take the lot as I've slept since then! You could use ordinary keys but that ratchet just gives extra purchase.

PS I used to be based in Smithville TN but stayed a few miles away in Cookeville as it wasn't a dry county!!!

Hope everything goes OK with the oil service.

Cheers

She's in Knoxville ..... Attended UT and decided to stay after graduation ......

Wow an allen key? ..... Maybe the US version of the RAV4 will use a 1/2inch square socket driver or even a metric socket ...

Its possible but I'd take one just in case

[IanXT4]

For the 4.2 Castrol now recommends Castrol Syntrax Universal oil for the Diff, Transaxle and Gearbox, this is also what my local Toyota Garage provides.

Spec sheet says.

Automotive Part Synthetic Gear Oil

DESCRIPTION

Castrol Syntrax Universal 75W/90 is a part synthetic multigrade gear oil which employs advanced technology additives to ensure extra protection at extreme low and high operating temperatures. Tested and proven, this SAE 75W/90 multigrade gear oil is synchromesh compatible and designed with a low chlorine formulation to allow environmentally responsible disposal of used oil.

APPLICATION

It meets the need for a 'universal' gear oil which can be used in automotive manual gearboxes, transaxles, transfer boxes and final drives where stringent performance specifications including API GL3, GL4 or GL5 must be met.

It is suitable for all units requiring a gear oil of SAE 75W, 80W or 90; including multigrade formulations within this range, e.g. 75W/90, 80W/90 and 85W/90 and can replace the following conventional Castrol gear oils:

Castrol EP 80 Castrol EPX 80W/90

Castrol EP 90

PERFORMANCE

API GL3, 4, 5

Its probably more expensive than individual oils but saves having to buy different grades.

[CitadelBlue]

I was planning on using Mobil 1 75w-90 LS. Its work great in the diff of my Honda S2000 and Toyota 4Runner as well as the transfer case for my 4Runner .....

[CitadelBlue]

Dealer confirmed the diff drain plug was a 10mm allen key/wrench .... I now own a set of these things ... He was a bit shakey on the fill plugs saying 24mm socket/box or open end ... ... I have a 23 mm box end for my S2000 , so I will comb the parking lots and neighbor to see if I can try before I buy the 24mm wrench as this may be the only purpose for buying this wrench ....

[steve1967]

Hi all

firstly i am new to Rav 4 and 4 wheel drive so i am looking for some advise

i am a bit confused after reading in forums and looking at the haynes manual

i am wanting to replace all oils as my rav 4 was purchased secondhand and i am not sure when it was all last done

starting at front of car from what i can understand i need to replace as follows

engine oil and filter this should be much same as doing a normal car so i should be ok with that

now the tricky part for me is understanding the rest :)

Gear box 75W/90

front diff 75W/90

Transfer box is 80W/90 or straight 90

Rear diff is 80W/90 or straight 90

i should also be ok with rear diff as only one area to change the oil but do i need to replace any of the plugs i take out or can i just put old ones back in ?

now for the front

i am trying to figure out if there is a total of 3 areas that need oil replacing or just 2 areas

ie do i do gearbox and transfer box

or gearbox , transfer box and diff

this is part i just cant understand in manual as i have a manual gearbox and its a 2002 rav 4 3 door version

hope you can understand what i am trying to say

thanks

steve

[RobertZ]

Even though my car is US model 2009 Rav-4 I did learn a lot from this thread.

Adding my pictures to help with differential oil change.

See the pictures for drain-plug (RED circle) and fille-plug(Blue circle).
I used the PB Blaster for few hours to soak the plugs.
I also used the plastic tube I have from a kit to pump the oil into the differential.