Transfer Case Fluid Change Frequency

[RUSSELL5000]

I was looking at the maintenance schedule today and noticed that it said the transfer case fluid should be changed every 30,000 miles. I am at 35,000 miles now and have not changed.

This one definitely puzzles me. I rarely use the 4WD - I have used 4WD Low for a total of about 30 minutes since I have had the truck, and I have used 4WD for a little less than eight hours since I have had the truck. Never got over 5 mph in 4WD Low; never got over 45 mph in 4WD High.

This seems useless to me, but wonder whether I shouldn't go ahead and do in order to protect the five-year powertrain warranty.



Viewpoints welcome.

Thanks.

 

[Bob4x4]

I was looking at the maintenance schedule today and noticed that it said the transfer case fluid should be changed every 30,000 miles. I am at 35,000 miles now and have not changed.

This one definitely puzzles me. I rarely use the 4WD - I have used 4WD Low for a total of about 30 minutes since I have had the truck, and I have used 4WD for a little less than eight hours since I have had the truck. Never got over 5 mph in 4WD Low; never got over 45 mph in 4WD High.

This seems useless to me, but wonder whether I shouldn't go ahead and do in order to protect the five-year powertrain warranty.



Viewpoints welcome.

Thanks.

The transfer case has torque applied any time the truck is in gear.Heat will be generated going down the road and contaminates from wear have no where to go.Changing out 2-3 qts of fluid is cheap insurance

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Thanks - that makes sense.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I changed it on my '13 although the BW fluid is expensive, only available from the dealer. If you have the older NV case, the fluid is just ATF and cheap. I have seen the results of running it for 70k miles and in that one case, the fluid was nasty.

 

[kthaxton]

In addition to what Bob said.......there are moving parts in there (bearings, shafts), whether you use 4wd or not.

 

[Wayne M.]

There's actually a pump in the NV case, right? I do 50k but check it often. New trucks have a BW case?

 

[NIsaacs]

New trucks have a BW case?

Yes, mid year 2012 they went to B/W. And of course they want you to use their oil, #68089195aa @ $28 a quart, the good news is it only holds 2.

Nick

 

[NIsaacs]

duplicate......

 

[RUSSELL5000]

I looked at my truck today in preparation for changing - it is a Borg Warner. So, off to dealer we go.
L

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Changed the transfer case fluid last night. Two quarters at $28.60 each from the dealer.

A good article in the TDR would be whether these fluids really do make any difference.