When should I change the ATF? I can't seem to find much on this forum. When did you change yours? What did it look like? If you don't change the fluid, what and when do you expect problems? It seemed that I could not find much in the manual for normal driving conditions.
When to change transmission fluid? 2013 LX 570 135K
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I changed mine at 90k. It's a 2008 I bought with 65k on it. I used 12qts of WS fluid and flushed through the cooler using the youtube video from Australia. I would change it now if your rig were mine.
Correcting my own post... Toyota says 60k replacement for "Towing a trailer, using a car-top carrier or heavy vehicle loading".
For regular service schedule there is no mention for replacement just inspection "for signs of leakage".
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Str8Laced
SILVER Star
90K and again at 120K about 2 months ago, I bought w/ 84K in 2018 and don't think it had ever been done.
Lexus dealers will not replace since they call it a "lifetime" fluid so I found an independent Toyota specialist
Lexus dealers will not replace since they call it a "lifetime" fluid so I found an independent Toyota specialist
First thing that happens the shifting gets rough.
When? It varies because there are so many variables. Some people drive to 200k with original fluid some drive a lot less before things start happening.
But the rule of thumb with "lifetime" fluids is to change them when the drive terrain warranty expires because that's what the manufacturer means by "lifetime".
For 2013 that is 70k.
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bloc
SILVER Star
It's time. And note that you should probably do a full "fluid exchange" (~12qt) not just a drain and fill (~4qt, only 1/3 of the total capacity). Some people refer to it as a Flush but to many shops that implies forcing fluid and cleaning solution through the system.. you don't want to do that.
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Did you happen to see what the ATF looked like? Also, your receipt indicates 4 liters, but another member just wrote that the capacity is 12 liters? What is the difference? Do they just drop the pan for the smaller quantity replacement?
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- #8
Great, but how do they do the fluid exchange without some type of flush? I mean, what should I look to ask the the mechanic. I see that one member just posted his receipt, but it looks like only a drain and fill with 4 qts. used.
Drain and refill vs flush.
You want flush. Ask the mechanic how he does the flush on the 200 to make sure you two are on the same page. For how the flush is manually done see: https://youtu.be/3h1zcvZW2Zc or https://youtu.be/q73KeK4KZM4
If your mechanic has a machine he will use that. Just make sure you ask what the machine actually does, including the question about detergents, etc. See videos.
You want flush. Ask the mechanic how he does the flush on the 200 to make sure you two are on the same page. For how the flush is manually done see: https://youtu.be/3h1zcvZW2Zc or https://youtu.be/q73KeK4KZM4
If your mechanic has a machine he will use that. Just make sure you ask what the machine actually does, including the question about detergents, etc. See videos.
On my 2013 I changed all fluids when I bought it at 75k miles on the assumption that it needed it. I just changed all fluids again last week at 127k miles. The guy that did it for me said the diff fluids were pretty dirty, but I didn’t take a look myself. I didn’t ask about the transmission fluid specifically. I would say about 50% of my miles are towing miles.
bloc
SILVER Star
As doru said ask what is actually being done. People butchering terms means it can be hard to decipher, but you are trying to avoid detergents and pressurized pump/machine forcing fluid through the transmission to “clean” it.
A fluid exchange, some people call a flush but I’d argue all you are doing is exchanging all of the fluid, is often done in a commercial setting by breaking the trans cooler lines and hooking them up to a machine that has a bladder inside separating old fluid and new. As the old fluid is pushed out of the transmission by its internal pump that volume pushes new fluid from the machine back in to the transmission. If done correctly this gets the majority of the old fluid replaced with new fluid and you have.. exchanged the fluid.
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- #12
That is very helpful to understand the process! Thank you.
gaijin
GOLD Star
I'm still shaking my head trying to figure out how the "Toyota specialist" managed to complete an engine oil change w/ new oil filter and only use 5.5 quarts of 0w-20 oil
Str8Laced
SILVER Star
I'm still shaking my head trying to figure out how the "Toyota specialist" managed to complete an engine oil change w/ new oil filter and only use 5.5 quarts of 0w-20 oil
Good Eye
, as soon as the tech started it to back it out of the bay when I arrived the low oil warning light came on so he added the ~ 2 quarts before I left the lot, didn't make me feel confident in their work, will I DIY or look for somewhere else next time, most likely 
