is a lot easier than it sounds. Just make sure you buy synthetic 75w-90 GL-5 gear oil that matches Toyota’s specs, and remember to remove the rear differential fluid fill plug before you drain the oil.

Whether you’re rock crawling in the desert or headed to the beach, your Tacoma takes excellent care of you. It’s time to give your

Toyota

some well-deserved attention. One easy way to keep your truck performing its best is to replace the differential fluid.

If you’ve never replaced Toyota Tacoma rear differential fluid, you’re in good hands!

Jerry

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that saves drivers money on

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, has created this handy guide to help you buy, use, and replace the Toyota Tacoma’s rear differential fluid. Let’s get going.

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The best Toyota Tacoma rear differential fluid

No doubt, the best rear differential fluid for your Toyota Tacoma is the OEM lubricant recommended by Toyota itself: Toyota 75w-90 API GL-5 Gear Lube. You can buy some from your local dealer or online.

What if you want a less expensive version, or the OEM oil is out of stock? Any non-synthetic gear lubricant with the exact specifications will do just fine. Ensure your alternative is listed as “75w90,” which designates the correct viscosity.

You also want to pick an oil with the right level of sulfur-based additives. For a Toyota Tacoma, you’ll want “GL-5.” The additives will help the lube work efficiently under pressure. Here are some alternative options:

Eneos® SAE 75W-90 API GL-5 Gear Oil

Toyota Tacoma Transfer Case Differential Fluid Change Kit - 2016-21

ACDelco® - GM Original Equipment SAE 75W-90 Synthetic API GL-5 Differential Fluid

MORE:

Toyota Tacoma towing capacity

What is rear differential fluid—and why does your Tacoma need it?

Now, what exactly is rear differential fluid? What does it do for your Tacoma, and

why does it need to be replaced

Your Tacoma’s rear wheels need to spin at different speeds to maintain traction off-roading, while taking tight canyon turns or when you’re hauling a load. Rear differential fluid is a kind of motor oil that lubricates your Tacoma’s rear axle, helping to deliver variable torque to the rear wheels so that your truck maintains traction when you need it most.

How often to change the Toyota Tacoma’s rear differential fluid

Your truck’s rear differential fluid doesn’t work as hard as the supercritical oil that lubricates your Tacoma’s engine—so it’s easy to forget about. In fact, your owner’s manual may not even list a specific interval to replace the rear differential fluid.

Here are the signs you can watch for when your fluid is low or contaminated and needs replacement:

Any unusual vibrations

Burning smell from rear gearbox

Whirring, straining, or howling noises

Along with being on the lookout for these signs, you can extend the life of your Tacoma and avoid future disasters by changing the fluid every 30,000 to 50,000 miles. Toyota recommends you change your Tacoma’s rear differential fluid closer to the 50,000-mile mark.

However, there are a couple of reasons why you may need to change the oil sooner:

If you use your Tacoma for a lot of

off-roading

or frequently haul loads or trailers, it's better to change your differential fluid around 30,000 miles.

If you notice any of the above symptoms before you reach 50,000 miles, it's best to change the oil soon instead of stretching to 50,000 miles.

Now that you know what the fluid is and when to change it, let’s review the steps.

MORE: A first look at the 2024 Toyota Tacoma

How to change your Tacoma’s rear differential fluid

Begin by looking through your owner’s manual to confirm the exact specifications for your Tacoma. For your convenience, we have a

PDF available here

. Next, grab the following tools:

Jack (and jack stands or ramps)

Socket wrench set

Fluid transfer pump

Drain pan

3 quarts of 75W90 gear oil

Step 1: Jack up your Tacoma and secure it on ramps or jack stands (if your Tacoma has a lift, you may not need to jack it up).

Step 2: Slide your drain pain into place and remove the higher of the two plugs; this is the “fill” plug.

Step 3: remove the lower “drain” plug and let the fluid drain into your drip pan.

Step 4: After the oil has drained out completely, replace the lower “drain” plug.

Step 5: Use the fluid transfer pump to refill the differential fluid.

Step 6: When filling, the oil will begin to dribble out. Plug the hole and let the oil sit for a bit to distribute down the axle shaft. After a few minutes, remove the plug and finish filling.

Step 7: Once you’ve poured all 3 quarts of oil, button the plug back up and tighten the fill plug to 36 ft-lbs of torque.

MORE: What is the best year for a Toyota Tacoma?

How to find affordable Tacoma insurance

Keeping up with regular maintenance (like differential fluid changes) is one good way to keep your running strong—and save some money. Want another easy way to save money on car ownership costs? Download

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