MarkATH10W

Hi All. Sensors: I can't get used to my parking sensors. They seem to only register an obstacle when I am already very close to it, therefore it is not really useful. Maybe around 2 feet of it. In my previous JDM van, an 1994 Estima with Gen 1 parking sensors, they were calibrated very well. And I could basically drive and park with a 6th sense. They also had a dedicated rear sensor, not just at the corners. Backup Camera: I only wish that it was tilted up a bit more to capture what was directly behind me. the ETC warning also blocks out the top 1/5 of the screen. What do you guys think?

1) I decided to not change the filter even though i had 2 spares; It is a low pressure pickup filter (at the pan) and very coarse. Based on peoples documenting their findings of filter media, it is typically not dirty at all. The amount of labor and risk to scrape off old gasket maker (holds in the gasket) reinstall a pan is not worth it. 2) regarding the drain and fill: On my 4speed automatic transmission, there are 2 drain locations, one at the pan, and one on the round transmission housing. I believe this allows us to drain almost 100% in a drain and fill, unlike our USDM models where there is only 1 drain at the pan and will rid about 50% of total volume. 3) consider getting synthetic fluid if the 5 speed calls for non-synthetic, i think thats biggest gain. Hope the information above is useful for you choose this route.

Tge one from deflectors.eu is fibreglass, therefore black is likely the only option. Here are some acrylic/plexiglass ones which come in clear and shaded: https://eng.deflektor.ru/catalog/Toyota/Alphard/2010010103002/

Hi all. While working on my vehicle, I noticed that there appear to be 2 drain plugs: 1) drain bolt on the transmission oil pan 2) drain bolt on the very bottom of the transmission housing If I am right about the 2 drain locations; this would mean we could potentaillly get most if not all of the transmission oil out in a drain and fill procedure rather than the normal 30-50% and without using a flush, or anything else more invasive. Has anyone drained from the transmission housing? Or have I mis-identified something? Cheers, Mark

Cardinal Automotive Repair Shop in Calgary SE is parting out my 2004 Alphard Hybrid. I believe the rear entertainment system remote was left in there, give them a call or drop by.

for my MNH15W Front brakes are shared across MANY toyota vehicles of the same vintage. rear brakes are not; only shared with toyota sienna (north american mini van). Use this resource to match your vehicle and find your exact part number; u can likely buy it locally. https://jp-carparts.com/toyota/cartypelist.php?maker=toyota&type=713120

This is a very common engine, at least in north america, it is found on: highlanders, camry, sienna. Look up the part number and you should be able to find it locally: use this resource, match your VIN number on the plate inside your engine bay and you will get an exact match of part: https://jp-carparts.com/toyota/carlist.php?maker=toyota

Heads up. Toyota switched to low tension piston rings sometime in the mid-late 00s to improve fuel economy but lead to much worse reliability, especially with extended oil change intervals. THe way to mitigate this change is using shorter oil change intervals; use that cheap full synthetic as well. more on it here:

Update: I completed the rear differential gear oil. I like the tested viscosity values for option 2 and option 4 and that they are fully synthetic. I chose option 4 for the following reasons: 1) effectively the same price as option 2, 2) comes in a squeeze pack. 3) the advertised 80W90 is closest to toyota's hypoid 85W90 gear oil 4) is considered the more premium product 5) has LSD aditive, just in case my vehicle has the LSD option. Drain and fill plugs are loosened using 10mm hex. The procedure was a breeze due to lots of clearance to work with in conjunction with the squeeze pack. Front transfer case is next... about 0.4-0.5L of fluid needed. large 23-24mm bolt? (I don't have this size) to perform the service. Less clearance to fill so I will likely need to add a tube to the squeeze pack if I don't want to do a messy job.

Across the pond: I stick to synthetic but not exotic brands. cheap and lab tests show that they are better than non-synthetic. Supertech - Walmart brand synthetic Kirkland - costco.

AMSOIL online store is quite good in terms of pricing within North America, I will be using AMSOIL moving forward with this branded oil: AMSOIL Signature Series Multi-Vehicle 100% Synthetic - viscosity of 7.5 @100c less viscosity variation, better pour point (performance) at freezing. AMSOIL OE Multi-Vehicle 100% Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid - viscosity of 7.5 @100c 25% cheaper than Signature series

I did more research. Generic Translated Alphard manual page 256 states that Torsen LSD is a grade option. The optinal LSD is manufactored by "ZEXEL TORSEN INK". While unlikely, I will need to ensure that I do not have an LSD, otherwise use gear oil option 4 which states its compatible with every use case but supports LSD. @Picasso Can you please tell me if my vehicle has LSD from the following information? Otherwise Can I look by looking at the differential itself?

I did some fruitful research, these are the following viable options: I will be going with option 2 unless I find out there is an LSD in play. TOYOTA GENUINE HYPOID GEAR OIL “SX” API : GL-5 SAE: 85W-90 200L DRUM, 20L PALE CAN 08885-00503 Mineral oil. LSD additive = No. For LSD applications, use Toyota Hypoid Gear Oil LSD GL-5 85W-90 08885-00305 From <https://www.nakabc.co.jp/english/genuine-motor-oil/toyota-genuine-oil/toyota-genuine-hypoid-gear-oil-sx/> AMSOIL Long Life Synthetic Gear Lube 75W-90 Synthetic No LSD additive MOTUL GEAR 300 75W-90 Viscosity at 40°C (104°F) ASTM D445 86.5 mm²/s Viscosity at 100°C (212°F) ASTM D445 14.2 mm²/s Viscosity Index ASTM D2270 170.0 Synthetic No LSD additive. Use MOTUL GEAR 300 LS 75W-90 for LS applications. From <https://www.motul.com/sv/en/products/gear-300-ls-75w90> AMSOIL SEVERE GEAR® Synthetic Extreme-Pressure (EP) Gear Lube Synthetic LSD additive "AMSOIL SEVERE GEAR 80W-90 provides superior performance and replaces competitors’ 80W-90 gear oils. It is formulated to exceed the requirements of front and rear differentials, transfer cases, transaxles, manual transmissions, oil-lubricated wheel bearings and steering gear boxes."

Thanks for your reply. Have you changed out the oil in your transfer case or rear differential? Im interested in knowing what oil the community chose to perform the service. For our information: TOYOTA GENUINE HYPOID GEAR OIL “SX” API : GL-5 SAE: 85W-90

Hi All, is there a possibility of limited slip differentials in the 3.0L MNH15W drivetrain? I want to know as I will be replacing the transfer case / rear differential gear oil and need to know if I will need to use an oil that contains a limited slip differential friction additivie.