2018 Lexus IS 300 AWD differential fluid service

Hello everyone!

My 2018 Lexus IS 300 AWD FSPORT is 2,000 miles away before I need my next interval maintenance service at 70,000 miles. I suspect this will happen around March of next year.

Looking through the maintenance log, I can see where the manufacturer recommends checking the front and rear differential fluid at 60,000 miles and again at 90,000 miles. But what I don’t see is when should the fluid be changed.

That’s why I went over at the Clublexus.com forum to ask the guys there who are familiar with my specific car on what they believe I should do.

I didht get enough response from the community, though, and the few who responded recommended changing the fluid at 60,000 miles as a preventative measure.

However, on a different thread asked by someone else, I saw a handful of conflicted answers, where they indicated for Canadian drivers to have this service done every 30,000 miles ( possibly due to the extreme weather there ) and never for the USA drivers.

What do you recommend ? I haven’t had this service done on my car and I don’t want to perform a service that isn’t necessary as throwing away money is not something I like to do. However, if this service is imperative, I will have no problem getting the front and rear differential fluid changed.

Your advice is much appreciated.

I would change it at your next service. A vacuum device can drain a diff in a few minutes with a few more to pour in fresh fluid. But I’m a bit OCD about fluid changes for everything.

1 Like

I change the diff fluid when I change the tranny fluid.

Tester

1 Like

Don’t forget the transfer case (awd unit)… it needs a little loven also… lol

2 Likes

Since new I have done transmission, transfer case, and differential fluid changes every 30,000 miles. Cost is slightly over $100. In addition, the dealer strongly recommended the differential fluid be changed at the first 10,000 miles. Maybe over kill but cheap insurance. No way I would go 60,000.

1 Like