WS Tranny Fluid and Lifetime Change Interval
- Thread starter Nottajeep
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jonharis said:
I would really like to have the 5spd transmission but I really don't have the cash to play in that game. When the 04's get down in the $10k-$13k range I will buy one. But even then, I am not looking forward to the navigation/HVAC combination issues that go along with the newer rides.
As far as the tranny letting go when I am 100 miles remote.....well let's think about that. If I only have 1/2 of a 3.7% chance of failure after a 100k in MY2000, then I figure what minimal percentage of time my LC spends off the grid, then it would probably be about the same odds as winning the lottery. Can it happen? Yes. Will it happen? Probably not. I would have to check with re_guderian on the statistic probability of that happening. I will pay my dues and take my chances
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Not that far. It says right in the manual to inspect it at 60k for severe duty and 100k for regular duty.
They already covered their asses.
That brings up a good point.
I've heard that there is no reliable way to "inspect" modern transmission fluids, and if you can, how?
The fluid in mine is bright red still at 150k miles. I *think* from the best of the information I have gathered that the PO did go through with the full 60k interval service, which means the tranny fluid would have been done at that point. However it is still bright red and does not smell burnt or otherwise compromised.
- Thread starter
- #26
Here is a TSB and it looks like the system is sealed after all. Also, I can see why a dealer doesn't want to touch the fluid change service. The WS can not be exposed to humidity w/o some side effects to the tranny shifting.
BTW- I only have a 99 LC with T-IV, but I am researching this for my LS in case anyone is wondering why...
It's no big deal, really.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/461883-picking-up-07-uzj-monday-6.html#post6465209
Just make sure the engine is RUNNING when you top off the transmission fluid (while laying on your back, under the truck, with the wheels chocked).
https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/461883-picking-up-07-uzj-monday-6.html#post6465209
Just make sure the engine is RUNNING when you top off the transmission fluid (while laying on your back, under the truck, with the wheels chocked).
Well, shoot, very nice! Thanks for posting that!
Well after seeing my wife's 09 highlander having a dipstick using WS, i dont believe it can introduce humidity to the system. The dipstick is a normal one, nothing special.
I was looking at 2003 tranny sump pan and investigating if that would swap with my 04 LC. If I can, then I am considering putting a dipstick to aid refill process and not be under the vehicle. Will let you know. Except I am not sure if the pan comes with the dip stick attached or a separate part.
I was looking at 2003 tranny sump pan and investigating if that would swap with my 04 LC. If I can, then I am considering putting a dipstick to aid refill process and not be under the vehicle. Will let you know. Except I am not sure if the pan comes with the dip stick attached or a separate part.
Someone else probably already did this: I downloaded a pdf of the recommended service schedule from the Toyota owners website. Toyota suggests AFT changes every 60k miles when the LC is used for towing.
Even without any towing, though, I'm also solidly in the camp that thinks the 'lifetime' claim is bogus...
By the way, came across this thread while researching the whole AFT-WS issue for a recently acquired 2006 LC (fewer than 40k miles, heheh)... Great forum here -- thanks for all the useful info.
Even without any towing, though, I'm also solidly in the camp that thinks the 'lifetime' claim is bogus...
By the way, came across this thread while researching the whole AFT-WS issue for a recently acquired 2006 LC (fewer than 40k miles, heheh)... Great forum here -- thanks for all the useful info.
WS is a lifetime fluid. It never needs to be changed for the life of the transmission. You can ruin the fluid if you over heat the transmission fluid but if you do this then you "know" you did it by towing somthing over the vehicle limit up a mountain in high heat conditions. If you did that then you should change the fluid ASAP and hope you did not ruin the transmission. If you drive your mall queen like most owners then you will "NEVER" need to change it. An industry expert once told me that changing transmission fluid for normally used vehicles is a waste of money that was 20 years ago. With todays advanced fluids it is a real waste of money. If you do decide to change the fluid, odds are you might damage your transmission by getting contaminates in the transmission during the change, more then if you just drove it. The guy changing your fluid might not be as careful as you wish he might be. My Lexus dealership has "never" changed the fluid on any LX under normal driving conditions. The only time they have changed the fluid is when the owner requested the service. They have replaced transmissions for owners who had their fluid changed by other vendors.
I don't believe you, at all.
There is no such thing as a LIFETIME lubricant. I work in heavy industry - almost 100% of gear train failures is fluid related.
I did drain & fill. It was not dark but color was way darker. 5k since change and no problem . YMMV.
Oh I did it at 90k.
Oh I did it at 90k.
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And just to clarify another myth. Toyota states that the color of WS does not indicate its condition.
And just to clarify another myth. Toyota states that the color of WS does not indicate its condition.[/QUOTE]
Myth it may be but my real life driving says its better. YMMV
Myth it may be but my real life driving says its better. YMMV
Interesting, doing complete fluid exchanges on both of my sealed A750's at 100k resulted in no change.
Jim_Chow
V8_Fan
I think it depends on the driving conditions. I changed the WS on my 05 LS430 at 5 yrs (bought it at 21K mi, had 30K mi after 1.5 yrs, driving was all city in AZ...very hot conditions, stop & go). Now, conditions are much cooler and virtually all driving is on the interstate/state hwy. I plan to change it at the 90K service (60K mi on the fluid).
guess you are missing the point. The transmission fluid is good forever unless you overheat it and degrade the fluid and then the lack of lubrication causes tranmission failure. If this happens then even new fluid won't help much since you have disc failure. Your sighted gear train failure is caused by excess heat or introduction of contaminates. I bet your work in heavy equipment involves equipment that is over stressed. The 100 series is way over engineered and if used as a mall cruiser is never even stressed. I'm old enought to remember old cars in the 50's and 60's that never had the old transmission fluid changed and went for a couple of hundred thousand miles with no transmission problems. If you tow or off road your 100 series then change the fluid if not just drive it.
Even though I believe what I posted, since my new to me LX470 with 100K miles was maintained by Lexus for every serivice interval I am having Lexus change the transmission fluid tommorrow just to cover my butt since I have not owned this LX since new and even though it shifts supper smooth I don't know how it was driven in the past. Here comes the new WS fluid.
A piece of mind is priceless .
At least that is why I maintain my machines.
At least that is why I maintain my machines.
