Quite frankly I've never kept cars for the long haul, but my 2006 Lexus RX330 might be the first. The vehicle has 45,000 miles and we are currently adding about 10,000 per year. I expect to keep it for another 4-5 years, approaching 100k miles. Still not old compared to many vehicles on here. But with Pittsburgh winters, even with the relatively low miles we'll want something newer. Ok so here's my question: do I service the transmission now, or maybe at 60k miles, or am I risking the consequences of fixing soemthignthat ain't broke? And what exactly do I do? Just let them drain 'n fill? Drop the pan? Do some sort of power flush? Any filters or screens requiring cleaning or replacing? Or do the odds favor doong nothing 10 years/100k? I am so impressed with the oil advice, thank you, that I know I'll get good transmission advice here too. Again, thank you all!
Tranny Service?
- Thread starter Daryll
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JHZR2
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Drop the pan and replace the filter and fluid. If you usually get service at the dealer, you can have them do it, have a garage do it, or DIY.
I would use toyota fluid though, unless it specs something simple like dex III.
I would use toyota fluid though, unless it specs something simple like dex III.
There has to be something in the manual about a service interval for the transmission.
I personally do mine on my GM's at every 50 - 60,000 even though all the service schedules call for 100,000 miles. On my Ford it called for 60,000 miles but I changed it around 45,000 mi.
I don't know what the interval is on Japanese cars.
By the way, it is not fixing something that isn't broken, it is required maintenance and good sense.
I personally do mine on my GM's at every 50 - 60,000 even though all the service schedules call for 100,000 miles. On my Ford it called for 60,000 miles but I changed it around 45,000 mi.
I don't know what the interval is on Japanese cars.
By the way, it is not fixing something that isn't broken, it is required maintenance and good sense.
As for the flush, most dealers now have the equipment to reverse flush all of the fluid. A little pricey but the fluid is new looking and smelling when done.
I agree with johnachak, read the manual and do ATF, PSF, brake fluid, coolant fluid at about 15-25% earlier.
The manual NEVER calls for transmission service. Hence my question.
I have heard of " doesn't require servicing under normal conditions" but not never service it. I would ask the Lexus service dept.
I help someone maintain a 2001 RX300. For 30,000 mile service the dealer could not even tell if the transmission was serviced without the receipt. They told me they were doing a drain and refill when doing it. They no longer did it at 30,000 mies service interval. That was a few years ago. I am going to do a drain a refill soon. Club Lexus has a good info. I am going to change fluid more often since the transmission I service had a high failure rate. Your model is probably different.
REPLY TO TWO POSTS ABOVE: I'm asking YOU (plural) because I don't trust dealer service recommendations. They are always based on "severe service" or even more frequent schedules. I'm sure the collective advice here is way more accurate.
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My LS400 manual says inspect* ATF and differential fluid every 24 months for normal driving condition, for severe condition replace ATF and differential fluid every 24 months.
Inspect* by Lexus means inspect and correct or replace as necessary.
My MB E430 doesn't specify change interval for the ATF either, but I changed it out at 8xk miles. The old fluid was in very condition when changed.
If you plan to keep the RX300 for 4-5 years, I think drop the pan and change the filter and fluid is good idea.
Inspect* by Lexus means inspect and correct or replace as necessary.
My MB E430 doesn't specify change interval for the ATF either, but I changed it out at 8xk miles. The old fluid was in very condition when changed.
If you plan to keep the RX300 for 4-5 years, I think drop the pan and change the filter and fluid is good idea.
Daryll, I do not know where in Pennsylvania you are, but if you daily drive in an area with as many hills as Pittsburgh, I would have already done the transmission fluid and filter at 30 K, and every 30 K there after. That is what I do with our vehicles.
BTW, when I have a transmission serviced, I take it to a good transmission shop, and tell them to be sure to completely drain the torque converter, and get the old fluid out of the heat exchanger(s). That cost more.
With the hills here, I also have the extra transmission cooler that has a thermostatic bypass so it does not cool when the fluid is too cold, put on our vehicles when we get them.
BTW, when I have a transmission serviced, I take it to a good transmission shop, and tell them to be sure to completely drain the torque converter, and get the old fluid out of the heat exchanger(s). That cost more.
With the hills here, I also have the extra transmission cooler that has a thermostatic bypass so it does not cool when the fluid is too cold, put on our vehicles when we get them.
Every 30k sounds like good sound advice, particularly if you intend on keeping the car a long time.....
I would highly recommend "pan drops" which also will require a filter replacement, pan gasket replacement, and about 2-5 quarts of "replacement transmission fluid".....I know my car, for a pan drop, it takes about 2 and a half quarts to "replenish" what was taken from the pan....your trans may be different.
But yes, I was surprised.....cause most of the "little guys" around town only had "flush services" - there was only 1 or 2 shops that _offered_ a "pan drop" service......kind of scary.I don't know I just don't put my trust in these new fangled "reverse flush machines a lot of these shops are using for transmission fluid changes......I talked to Tire Kingdom and they say good stuff about it, they seemed to know what they were talking about, but I just didn't like the idea of not changing the pan filter.....they don't touch it at all. with their machine it's not necessary to change out the filter.....? Lol.....hello,, it's "magnetic" - so it's going to "hold on" to the debris....
I would highly recommend "pan drops" which also will require a filter replacement, pan gasket replacement, and about 2-5 quarts of "replacement transmission fluid".....I know my car, for a pan drop, it takes about 2 and a half quarts to "replenish" what was taken from the pan....your trans may be different.
But yes, I was surprised.....cause most of the "little guys" around town only had "flush services" - there was only 1 or 2 shops that _offered_ a "pan drop" service......kind of scary.I don't know I just don't put my trust in these new fangled "reverse flush machines a lot of these shops are using for transmission fluid changes......I talked to Tire Kingdom and they say good stuff about it, they seemed to know what they were talking about, but I just didn't like the idea of not changing the pan filter.....they don't touch it at all. with their machine it's not necessary to change out the filter.....? Lol.....hello,, it's "magnetic" - so it's going to "hold on" to the debris....
Originally Posted By: johnachak
As for the flush, most dealers now have the equipment to reverse flush all of the fluid. A little pricey but the fluid is new looking and smelling when done.
What is a "reverse flush"? I do not believe there is such a thing. Maybe you have your terms mixed up?
As for the flush, most dealers now have the equipment to reverse flush all of the fluid. A little pricey but the fluid is new looking and smelling when done.
What is a "reverse flush"? I do not believe there is such a thing. Maybe you have your terms mixed up?
Originally Posted By: JimPghPA
Daryll, I do not know where in Pennsylvania you are, but if you daily drive in an area with as many hills as Pittsburgh, I would have already done the transmission fluid and filter at 30 K, and every 30 K there after. That is what I do with our vehicles.
Jim, I'm in Fox Chapel (Pittsburgh suburb). OK, you convinced me! So where around here do you recommend and how much? You can private message me if you aren't comfortable posting here. Frankly, I was thinking about calling Spitzer Toyota, where I got my son's Corolla. But it sounds like you might have a tried and true place. And since it's only every few years, I'm game even if it's across town.
Daryll, I do not know where in Pennsylvania you are, but if you daily drive in an area with as many hills as Pittsburgh, I would have already done the transmission fluid and filter at 30 K, and every 30 K there after. That is what I do with our vehicles.
Jim, I'm in Fox Chapel (Pittsburgh suburb). OK, you convinced me! So where around here do you recommend and how much? You can private message me if you aren't comfortable posting here. Frankly, I was thinking about calling Spitzer Toyota, where I got my son's Corolla. But it sounds like you might have a tried and true place. And since it's only every few years, I'm game even if it's across town.
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Daryll, This is what I do. I got my Rx with 59,000 miles on it and the first thing I did was drain/fill the transmission fluid (about 4 times) to get all the old fluid out. Then do drain/fills every year. Drain refill the transfer case/rear diff with valvoline Synthetic gear oil. Suck out power steering fluid with Turkey baster, (about 5 times) refill with Mobil 1 transmission fluid. I did drop the pan on the trans when I first got it to check things out in their. Everything was just normal wear. I always use Toyota fluid in this one, as it seems to work the best in it. And lube the break pins with correct lube.
Thanks Lexus114. That's some serious attention to maintenance. I'm looking to get to 100,000 miles without repairs and with the vehicle still in good enough repair to fetch top resale dollar. Frankly what you are doing is overkill for me, I think. Around here the road salt/grime will not totally ruin, but make my vehicle worn enough that I'll be ready by then (at about 10 years from showroom. I bot it with 17,000 miles, at the end of a 3 year lease) so it will be 7 years of ownership. Then I'll look for another low miles 3 year old vehicle.
Believe it or not, everything I mentioned is not that hard to do at all. I didnt do it all in one day though either, just took my time till it was all done. (I`d wait until the weather breaks before doing this though.)
Forgot to mention that I also keep the hub/wheel sensors clean for best traction control/abs performance. (this is something else I recommend to you) because of all the Road Salt they seem to never be able to put enough of on the streets here.
Uh-oh....their`s a flake....quick to the salt trucks! Penn Dot is like Batman and Robin for that, but nowhere in sight for road repairs that are so needed here.(rant over)just makes me sick!
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I guess my issue is not how easy or hard it is, but whether it's necessary to flush the power steering fluid 5 times or whatever. My motto has always been to properly but not overmaintain a car.
Originally Posted By: Daryll
My motto has always been to properly but not overmaintain a car.
I agree but my problem is where to draw the line.
My motto has always been to properly but not overmaintain a car.
I agree but my problem is where to draw the line.
Originally Posted By: Daryll
I guess my issue is not how easy or hard it is, but whether it's necessary to flush the power steering fluid 5 times or whatever. My motto has always been to properly but not overmaintain a car.
I do this to try and get as much of the old stuff outta their a possible.
I guess my issue is not how easy or hard it is, but whether it's necessary to flush the power steering fluid 5 times or whatever. My motto has always been to properly but not overmaintain a car.
I do this to try and get as much of the old stuff outta their a possible.
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