Toyota Highlander, XU40 (USA / CAN)

Transfer case fluid capacity & service interval

Toyota Highlander, XU40 (USA / CAN) transfer case fluid capacity is 0,9 liter. Service intervals include checks at 16000 km/ 12 months, 32000 km/ 24 months, and 15000 miles/ 18 months, as well as changes at 64000 km/ 48 months, 32000 km/ 24 months, and 15000 miles/ 18 months. The data covers 9 configurations.

The configuration chart below lists fill volumes and service intervals for each engine and trim variant.

TypeSpecifications
Highlander 3.5 V6 24V 4WD (CAN), GSU45 (2011-2013)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 0,9 liter
  • Check 16000 km/ 12 months
Highlander 3.5 V6 24V 4WD (CAN), GSU45 (2011-2013)
  • Use: Severe
  • Capacity 0,9 liter
  • Check 16000 km/ 12 months
  • Change 32000 km/ 24 months
Highlander 3.5 V6 24V 4WD (CAN), GSU45 (2011-2013)
  • Use: First check only
  • Capacity 0,9 liter
  • Check 32000 km/ 24 months
Highlander 3.5 V6 24V 4WD (USA), GSU45 (2011-2013)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 0,9 liter
  • Check 15000 miles/ 18 months
Highlander 3.5 V6 24V 4WD (USA), GSU45 (2011-2013)
  • Use: Severe
  • Capacity 0,9 liter
  • Change 15000 miles/ 18 months
Highlander 3.5 V6 24V 4WD (CAN), GSU45 (2008-2010)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 0,9 liter
  • Check 16000 km/ 12 months
  • Change 64000 km/ 48 months
Highlander 3.5 V6 24V 4WD (CAN), GSU45 (2008-2010)
  • Use: Severe
  • Capacity 0,9 liter
  • Check 16000 km/ 12 months
  • Change 32000 km/ 24 months
Highlander 3.5 V6 24V 4WD (USA), GSU45 (2008-2010)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 0,9 liter
  • Check 15000 miles/ 18 months
Highlander 3.5 V6 24V 4WD (USA), GSU45 (2008-2010)
  • Use: Severe
  • Capacity 0,9 liter
  • Change 15000 miles/ 18 months

Additional Notes

  • The transfer case fluid capacity across all GSU45 configurations is 0.9 liter, a figure consistent with the compact transfer units found in car-based AWD platforms rather than the larger units used in body-on-frame trucks.
  • For the Toyota Highlander XU40 GSU45 in Canadian-market specification, the 2008-2010 normal-use interval calls for a fluid change at 64,000 km or 48 months, while severe use cuts that change interval in half to 32,000 km or 24 months.
  • Under severe use conditions, the USA-market GSU45 (2008-2010) specifies a fluid change at 15,000 miles or 18 months, whereas the same mileage and time figure under normal use triggers only a fluid check rather than a change.
  • The Canadian-market GSU45 for 2011-2013 under normal use carries no fluid change interval at all, listing only a check at 16,000 km or 12 months, which is a notable departure from the 2008-2010 Canadian normal-use schedule that included a 64,000 km change interval.
  • A "first check only" entry exists exclusively for the 2011-2013 Canadian GSU45, placing an initial inspection at 32,000 km or 24 months. A first-check interval of this type is typically used to verify fluid condition after an initial break-in period before the standard recurring schedule takes effect.
  • The severe-use change interval for the Canadian GSU45 remains consistent at 32,000 km or 24 months across both the 2008-2010 and 2011-2013 model year groups, even as the normal-use schedule differs between those two periods.
  • The USA-market GSU45 for 2011-2013 mirrors the 2008-2010 USA schedule exactly, with a normal-use check and a severe-use change both set at 15,000 miles or 18 months, indicating no revision to the USA service schedule between those model year groups.

Other Systems