2005-2015 Tacoma Differential and Transfer Case Fluid: Type, Capacity, Torque
Quick safety check before you begin. Required: safety glasses, gloves, and the truck level on a lift or on jack stands with the wheels chocked. Recommended: a drain pan and a torque wrench. Used gear oil is dirty and smells strongly; wear gloves and wash with soap and water. Always loosen the FILL plug before the drain plug, so you know you can get fluid back in.
What you need
Parts
Tools
- Ratchet and the plug drive your axles use (check before you start)
- Torque wrench that reads 27 to 36 ft-lb
- Drain pan, lift or jack stands and wheel chocks; the truck must be level
- A hand pump or squeeze bottle for the fill holes
- Safety glasses and gloves
The numbers
| Front differential capacity | 1.45 to 1.55 L (1.54 to 1.64 US qt) in the 2012 and 2014 manuals. The 2005 manual lists 1.5 L (1.6 qt). |
|---|---|
| Rear differential capacity, 4WD | 2.75 to 2.85 L (2.91 to 3.01 US qt) in the 2012 and 2014 manuals. The 2005 manual lists 2.8 L (about 3.0 qt) for 4WD and Prerunner, and 3.3 L (3.5 qt) for 2WD. |
| Differential fluid, 2005 manual | Hypoid gear oil API GL-5. Front SAE 75W-90. Rear SAE 90 above 0°F (-18°C), SAE 80W or 80W-90 below. A limited-slip axle needs gear oil rated for limited slip, API GL-5. |
| Differential fluid, 2012 and 2014 manuals | Toyota Genuine Differential Gear Oil LT 75W-85 GL-5 or equivalent, front and rear |
| Transfer case capacity and fluid | 1.1 US qt (1.0 L), API GL-4 or GL-5, SAE 75W-90. Stated in the 2005, 2012 and 2014 manuals. |
| Level, all three plugs | Within 5 mm (0.20 in.) of the bottom of the filler hole, truck level |
| Front differential filler plug | 39 N·m (29 ft-lb), new gasket |
| Rear differential filler plug | 49 N·m (36 ft-lb), new gasket |
| Transfer case filler plug | 37 N·m (27 ft-lb), new gasket |
| Automatic transmission fluid | Depends on the transmission. Toyota's 2005 and 2014 manuals (4.0L, 5-speed) call for ATF Type WS; the 2012 manual (2.7L, 4-speed) calls for Type T-IV. Toyota's service bulletin says WS is not compatible with T-IV or Dexron. |
Step by step
Get the truck level
Park on level ground, or on a lift or jack stands with the wheels chocked. The level check is only true if the axle and transfer case sit level.
Loosen the filler plug first
On whichever unit you are servicing, crack the filler plug before anything else. If you cannot get it out, you do not want the drain plug open.
Drain, or check and top up
To change the fluid, remove the drain plug and let it empty. To check it instead, pull the filler plug and gasket and look at the level: it should sit within 5 mm (0.20 in.) of the bottom of the hole. If it is low, look for a leak before you top up.
Fill slowly
Pour or pump in small amounts. On the transfer case Toyota says pour slowly, in several stages, with several minutes between each, then wait about 5 minutes and check again. Stop when the fluid is within 5 mm (0.20 in.) of the bottom of the filler hole. Too much or too little can cause problems.
Torque the filler plug with a new gasket
Front differential 39 N·m (29 ft-lb), rear differential 49 N·m (36 ft-lb), transfer case 37 N·m (27 ft-lb). Refit the drain plug the same way.
Drive, then recheck
Toyota's procedure says to drive the vehicle after replacing the oil and check the level again. Top up if it has dropped.
Rather we did it?
We do fluid and filter service at scheduled events across Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska, and we stock the gear oils. If you would rather hand it to someone, book a slot.
Find your exact tune →Questions owners ask
About 1.6 US quarts for the front differential, about 3 quarts for the rear differential on a 4WD, and 1.1 quarts for the transfer case. Buy a little extra and fill to the hole, not to the number.
The manuals differ. The 2005 manual specifies API GL-5 hypoid gear oil, SAE 75W-90 in front and a temperature-based viscosity in the rear. The 2012 and 2014 manuals specify 75W-85 GL-5 for both. We read those three years only; if your truck is a year in between, check the manual for that year.
The 2005, 2012 and 2014 manuals all say API GL-4 or GL-5, SAE 75W-90, 1.1 US quarts (1.0 L).
It depends on the transmission. The 2005 and 2014 manuals for the 4.0L 5-speed call for Type WS; the 2012 manual for the 2.7L 4-speed calls for Type T-IV. Do not mix them. This guide does not cover the transmission drain and fill.
Toyota's 2005 manual says a limited-slip axle needs gear oil rated for limited slip, API GL-5. We did not read the procedure for every locking-differential option, so confirm yours before you fill.
No. The manuals list a larger rear differential for 2WD: about 3.5 US quarts, against about 3.0 on Prerunner and 4WD.
More for the Tacoma
Figures are quoted from Toyota repair manuals for three model years only: the 2005 Tacoma 4WD V6 (1GR-FE), the 2012 Tacoma 2.7L 4WD and the 2014 Tacoma 4.0L 4WD. Other years in the 2005-2015 range were not separately checked, and Toyota's fluid specification changed within the generation, so confirm for your exact year. AMSOIL product fitment is AMSOIL's published claim and may differ from Toyota's specification shown above. Tuned Yota is an independent AMSOIL dealer; parts links are our store.