Does my 2005 2wd 4cyl Have a Differential?

05MNTH · #1 (**permalink**) 01-06-2005, 11:30 AM

I have a 2005 Highlander on order. I see in the maintenance book that the front/rear differential oil need to be changed like every 15k. It was my understaning that only 4wd cars have differentials. Amy I wrong? Do I have them on my 2wd?

That seems like a lot of maintenance.

Thanks!

nhparrot · #2 (**permalink**) 01-06-2005, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 05MNTH

I have a 2005 Highlander on order. I see in the maintenance book that the front/rear differential oil need to be changed like every 15k. It was my understaning that only 4wd cars have differentials. Amy I wrong? Do I have them on my 2wd?

That seems like a lot of maintenance.

Thanks!

You have a rear differential, a 4wd would also have a front differential

05MNTH · #3 (**permalink**) 01-06-2005, 12:00 PM

Thanks! Any idea on the change interval and capacity?

MMitsock · #4 (**permalink**) 01-06-2005, 12:31 PM

I thought the 2WD Highlander was front wheel drive?

My 4WD 2003 V-6 Highlander has a transfer case (part of the transmission and lubricated by trans oil), a front and rear differential. I changed the oil in both differentials myself, access wasn't too bad, takes about a quart in each.

jim256 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-06-2005, 02:15 PM

The 2WD Highlander is front wheel drive. And any driven axle requires a differential of some sort so you can go around corners.

nhparrot · #6 (**permalink**) 01-06-2005, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nhparrot

You have a rear differential, a 4wd would also have a front differential

Opps, wrote that backwards

05MNTH · #7 (**permalink**) 01-06-2005, 09:33 PM

I think you are incorrect. I dont believe a FWD vehicle has a differential. The differential would be the same as a type of transfer case which would only be wheels that are driven part time. Sound right?

This page on msn:

http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/sp...=11044&src=vip

states that the differential for the 2wd is N/A.

Brklyndriver · #8 (**permalink**) 01-06-2005, 10:55 PM

05MNTH - look at the article you posted, it says the locking differential is not available in the 4wd as well as the 2wd model. You do have a differential on the front wheels. Otherwise the power can't get to the wheels.

DevinSixtySeven · #9 (**permalink**) 01-07-2005, 12:53 AM

like brklyndriver sez, you have a diff...only, in a FWD vehicle iirc it's a part of the transmission, hence a limited slip diff costs substantially more to produce and instal, but that's another discussion.

a differential allows the inside and outside wheels to rotate at different speeds while both are providing a force to move the vehicle through a corner, and all vehicles (except motorcycles) have them regardless of configuration, tho in a FWD car or car-based platform they are not as easy to access as with a RWD truck.

youre right, 15k seems like a short interval. is that for extreme duty/climate? altho, it could have something to do with the diff being an integral part of the tranny, so the fluid is changed more often than in the RWD/4WD trucks.

-sean

05MNTH · #10 (**permalink**) 01-07-2005, 12:46 PM

Thanks for all the great info guys. Looks like I learn something new everyday!

I looked again at the maintenance intervals. Seems you only have to replace the front/rear diff oil when you are towing something. If you are not, there is no specified replacement interval up to 120k miles!! I assume most people probably change thier trans fluid/filter about every 60k.