What causes gear oil to smell?

2006 TOYOTA SIENNA
249,525 MILES • 3.3L • 6 CYL • TURBO • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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GANDHI
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
1.What is causing gear oil is smelling?
2. How many miles will it take before I change the gear oil?
Aug 10, 2023 at 9:58 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 110,194 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Hi,

Gear oil has a bad smell to it all the time. LOL As far as replacing it, the manufacturer recommends doing it every 30K miles or 36 months (whichever comes first).

Now, I have a question. You indicated this is a 2-wheel drive. Therefore, it won't have a rear differential. Where are you finding gear oil? If it is an AWD vehicle, then it would be the rear differential. Please confirm.

Let me know.

Take care,

Joe
Aug 10, 2023 at 8:28 PM
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