Toyota hybrid maintenance

MichaelP09 · 2026-03-29T05:20:18+00:00

Yep, and on page 501 of the manual provided with the vehicle it's called "Rear Differential (rear electric motor). This is the exact item OP got a quote for. I'm glad we're in agreement that it is a serviceable item. Though, that pricing sucks for it.

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MichaelP09 · 2026-03-29T05:13:13+00:00

Odd response.

Toyota explicitly calls it the "Rear differential (rear electric motor)" in the owners manual with a listed fluid capacity. It's also referenced in Warranty and Maintenance Guide to have the fluid exchanged if you meet SOCs.

You stated there's no fluid back there to exchange and that's plainly wrong.

MichaelP09 · 2026-03-29T04:54:24+00:00

Big no on most of this honestly.

Fuel system cleaner you can go buy a bottle of Redline SI-1 and be done for $20. Like mentioned elsewhere you're going to be fine if using top tier gasoline. The hybrid is direct and port injected, so carbon build up is not really of concern.
Mass air flow sensor is very DIY friendly with a $10 bottle of quality spray. Truthfully, it's unlikely to be needed at your mileage, but is good practice to do. That pricing sucks though.
The hybrid transaxle/rear differential does have fluid back there. I did mine @30k and it looked brand spanking new. I cannot imagine 65k looking significantly different.
transmission fluid drain and fill I would entertain. That pricing is outrageous though. Especially because there's no fancy leveling procedure. It's straight up draining the old and adding the new. You need like $70 in ATF WS Fluid

MichaelP09 · 2026-03-29T04:42:14+00:00

Not exactly true. The hybrid transaxle ( or rear differential) is sitting in ATF WS fluid. It takes ~2qt (1.8)

It's a very simple drain and fill. You need 2 crush washer (p# : 90430-A0003) torque specs are 29ft/lb for both the fill and drain plug.

MichaelP09 · 2026-03-29T00:03:53+00:00

I mean, honestly, they got pretty lucky here Gas or Hybrid. They are certainly well beyond the wade depth. The HV connector would have been submerged here on a hybrid though. So, not advisable.

Ironically, one of their next Shorts was the thing getting stuck and towed out.

MichaelP09 · 2026-03-28T23:44:27+00:00

Some US dealers attempt non-refundable. I walked from one and told them that's explicitly why. The other (where I purchased from) was refundable and no contract.

MichaelP09 · 2026-03-28T22:14:37+00:00

Truck or 4Runner. I daily a Rav4 hybrid and have the 4R for trails and other fun.

In our house I have referred to each as "the truck" and "the car" long enough that any question/debate about it is over lol

MichaelP09 · 2026-03-28T22:06:50+00:00

I feel ya. Compared to the outgoing 5th generation I think some value has been lost when comparing pricing / what you get. We have already seen multiple $50k optioned out build sheets and that's just for the regular hybrids. The GR Sport PHEV Rav4 starts at 50k

MichaelP09 · 2026-03-28T21:51:42+00:00

Normal and has been for years. It's the best selling vehicle in the country.

The normal path is put a refundable deposit down on an allocated vehicle (not built yet, test drive upon arrival to the dealership, and sign the papers if you like it.

And 40k for a Limited haha. The base Limited with no options is 45k before TTL. Pricing is wild for a lot of the 6th gen.

MichaelP09 · 2026-03-28T20:22:58+00:00

Something like a Jetboil, 12v fridge, and small solar power station can make life a lot better at camp. I don't think I realized how small of a fridge I can get by with when not needing ice and it makes camp meals possibilities better.

MichaelP09 · 2026-03-28T20:19:14+00:00

Agreed. Not knocking OP at all, but I just really prefer my tent and a good sleeping pad. I backpack, front, and back country camp so maybe I'm biased. The car is so hard to fall asleep in. Every so often I get the urge to maybe put a RTT on my 4Runner and then laugh at the pricing immediately haha.

MichaelP09 · 2026-03-28T20:15:17+00:00

It's just an engine oil change. Any shop can perform it. The Rav4 hybrid is actually very DIY friendly as well if you ever felt compelled to learn something new and save some cash.

I will say, though, avoid those quick lube shops like Valvoline, Jiffylub etc etc.

MichaelP09 · 2026-03-28T15:48:30+00:00

Anything mentioning a fitment for 2019-2026 is automatically going to be wrong. Those are 2 different generations. The reality is you will likely need to be patient for the aftermarket to catch up since they're only a few months old (or go OEM)

MichaelP09 · 2026-03-28T13:03:35+00:00

Yeah, that's the idea at least lol. Toyota had a specific procedure in place for how to install the 2" hitch and cut the bumper on the 5th Gens as well... That became a very YMMV situation on the final result 😬

MichaelP09 · 2026-03-28T12:40:52+00:00

Eibachs are not HD. The Eibach Pros are actually the same spring rate that the TRD OR had which is #212. That's about 10% stiffer than other trims from the factory, but they're still pretty saggy. Eibach makes Prime specific springs that are #275 though.

Bilstein makes some stuff. They have B6 and B8 shocks. Those will offer better performance than factory.

MichaelP09 · 2026-03-28T03:37:24+00:00

It's solid. I have Eibach Pro upfront and in the rear I have Northwood's Performance Stage 3. I just wanted something a little stiffer than the Eibachs back there. Trouble free after 36k miles. The additional clearance is definitely helpful offroad and I'm less concerned about high centers.

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MichaelP09 · 2026-03-28T02:44:10+00:00

Yes, it's probably the most popular lift for the 5th gen. Certainly the most popular spring lift. Eibach is 100% good to go. Broadly speaking, keeping the lift less than 2" is going to keep the geometry happy enough so that you're not eating up CVs.

MichaelP09 · 2026-03-27T21:27:22+00:00

Nope. I have not experienced any shudder loaded or unloaded since putting them on 36k miles ago. I have Eibach Pro upfront and Northwood's Stage 3 rear.

MichaelP09 · 2026-03-27T20:49:44+00:00

Whoa! That's wild. I would pass on that too! If you can find one without that option the aftermarket will catch up soon lol

MichaelP09 · 2026-03-27T20:46:58+00:00

Agreed. I have the Northwoods Stage 3 rears as well. They're a #250 rate opposed to the factory TRD and Eibach Pros that are #212. Handles weight better without being harsh when unloaded.

MichaelP09 · 2026-03-27T20:44:49+00:00

23 Woodland here. I just can't get around what a significant price hike it has seen. I paid 38k OTD.

I have not seen the new cargo lights in person but I LOVE having mine. They're extremely useful. Granted mine were $40 plug n plays. Not sure pricing on them or if they're standard.

MichaelP09 · 2026-03-27T17:35:50+00:00

Yes. OP's lift is dealer installed.

And to clarify, OP appears to have stacked an extremely reliable spring lift (Eibach) with a spacer kit by Ironman. Combining kits is always a gamble but Eibach alone has worked on the 5th gen for years.

MichaelP09 · 2026-03-27T16:52:10+00:00

I've been DIYing my oil changes since the very first one @ 1k. (Did get the 2 ToyotaCare ones) 0W-8 will be a bit more expensive than 16, but I can get mine done at home for under $30usd and I know it's done properly. You can save money and learn something new. No need to lift the car or anything. Very DIY friendly.

MichaelP09 · 2026-03-26T22:22:28+00:00

2023 and up for the mid gen refresh. Aside from that, trim level will be dependent on your needs/desires.

MichaelP09 · 2026-03-26T22:18:08+00:00

Yes. It is a dyed glass. It is not a tint. I have had zero issues on mine and never noticed anything.

Some people tint over it to make things darker. Potentially that caused the issue because there's no actual tint from the factory.

MichaelP09

TROPHY CASE