04-06 Sealed Transmission fluid change interval? (The Mother thread)
#481
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: wa
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lifetime in marketing world, 100k Miles standard average in engineering world. There is absolutely no way the fluid retains same characteristics at 0k compared to 100k, or 0k compared to 200k. The reason why transmission still shifts fine in some cars that go above 200k without issues and without changing fluid is due to two reasons: Luck and Remaining useful properties of fluid.
#484
I have been reading through this thread as I just bought an 05 ls430 with 163k miles which I love.
We know the car uses the radiator to cool the transmission fluid. Why not disconnect both ends and have the pickup side in a bucket of fresh WS fluid and another bucket to collect the bad WS fluid while the engine runs/cycle through gears?
Can someone tell or find flaw in this thought? of course, each bucket will be marked for each quart to keep track and not to overfill.
We know the car uses the radiator to cool the transmission fluid. Why not disconnect both ends and have the pickup side in a bucket of fresh WS fluid and another bucket to collect the bad WS fluid while the engine runs/cycle through gears?
Can someone tell or find flaw in this thought? of course, each bucket will be marked for each quart to keep track and not to overfill.
#486
Instructor
Nothing. You have to pump it in. I did a write up on the '01-03 transmissions and that method will work for the '04+ if you pump the new fluid into the other end of the disconnected hose.
#487
While we’re at it, OP search the thread for the “Paper Clip” method to get the dash panel to flash when you’ve reached the correct transmission temperature to check the fluid level. If you believe removing 3 quarts and filling it with 3 quarts is correct; what happens if you start a quart high or low?
#488
#490
Lexus Champion
#491
Oh come on. None of us love dealers too much, but not performing a service and charging for it would outright fraud. I have an '05 LS430 with 63k miles, and I stopped in a couple weeks ago to get trans, p/s fluid, diff oil, and coolant all changed. They did all the work just fine. It wasn't cheap, but you know that going in to the dealer. My philosophy is, use an indie for most work, but you should go to the dealer for getting fluids done ... the indie will tell you their their AutoZone fluids are the same basic thing, but Toyota would beg to differ.
I dont recommend asking the dealer to perform a maintenance service such as this one, if they arent too intersted in doing so. Especially since they know 100% you would never know if the service was done back there.
Stuff like this, and fuel filter are on the dealers hate list from my experiance. I'm sure teamplayer would have more experiance.
Stuff like this, and fuel filter are on the dealers hate list from my experiance. I'm sure teamplayer would have more experiance.
#492
I checked the scheduled maintenance log and the 1st time a replace transmission fluid comes up is at the 72 months or 60,000 mile service. However with one caveat "Required only if vehicle is operated primarily while towing."
It continues to explain further in your maintenance log book the following:
Transmission Fluid
Check for correct fluid level and inspect each transmission
component for signs of leakage. If you discover
any leakage, have it repaired by a qualified
technician immediately.
Note: On the LS 430, GS and IS, the transmission
and transmission fluid are a completely sealed unit.
Therefore, periodic checks and replacement of the
transmission fluid are not required, and there is no
dipstick on the transmission on these vehicles. Any
repairs that require adding or replacing fluid should
be performed by a qualified technician following procedures
in Lexus service and repair publications.
My conclusion is that if its not leaking don't touch it. Just my 2 cents.
Please correct me if you think I got the maintenance log information wrong.
It continues to explain further in your maintenance log book the following:
Transmission Fluid
Check for correct fluid level and inspect each transmission
component for signs of leakage. If you discover
any leakage, have it repaired by a qualified
technician immediately.
Note: On the LS 430, GS and IS, the transmission
and transmission fluid are a completely sealed unit.
Therefore, periodic checks and replacement of the
transmission fluid are not required, and there is no
dipstick on the transmission on these vehicles. Any
repairs that require adding or replacing fluid should
be performed by a qualified technician following procedures
in Lexus service and repair publications.
My conclusion is that if its not leaking don't touch it. Just my 2 cents.
Please correct me if you think I got the maintenance log information wrong.
Last edited by manualdr5; 03-10-24 at 05:32 AM. Reason: Add more context
#493
mikedgw
The You Tube Channel "Car Care Nut" who is a Lexus/Toyota expert says to change your trans fluid every 60,000 miles or 6 years. The fluid change intervals published by Toyota expect/want you to have an out of warranty failure. No fluid is lifetime!
#494
Instructor
Foreign particles introduced and low or high fluid levels are a major cause of premature failure of the transmissions. That is why the manufacturers of the transmissions don't want you changing fluids unless it follows guidelines to do so. I spoke with the President of the company that makes the Tundra transmissions and that is what he told me.
#495
That's why "The Nut" only recommends a drain and refill and doing it on time! A flush is too violent. And it's risky to change fluid on an older transmission that has never had a change.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
shroomysou
LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000)
31
12-24-19 04:04 AM
Purplexed
Maintenance
2
05-29-01 08:40 AM