LW ES300

This any good? AAMCO Power Purge® Plus Transmission Flush & Filter Change - $99.95 valid unti 08/31/08
________________________________________________________________
I have a 1996 ES300 I just got a few months ago (was Mom's from 29k until now with 145k on the clock & I know is has been driven easy). What do you guy think about this Aamco promotion? Any better going to a place that "specializes" in transmissions than the dealer? Do dealers even do this work (flush, change, etc) or do they subcontract to a trans shop? She doesn't remember having trans fluid changed & I can't find any receips. Fluid is not black, but is more a browner color than it is red/maroon. With 145K on the clock the fluid must be changed, I'm sure, but by who, a Lexus dealer or these clowns at Aamco? Thanks for any thoughts or suggestions.
________________________________________________________________

AAMCO Power Purge® Transmission Flush | AAMCO Safeguard® Fluid & Filter Change $99.95 valid unti 08/31/08

The AAMCO Power Purge® Plus Transmission Flush & Filter Change is the most comprehensive transmission maintenance service available anywhere. It’s the service that may help your transmission shift better, longer.

The service includes:
- Complete External Diagnostic Service for your transmission
- 100% extraction of tired, old fluid
- Removal of dirt, grit and abrasives
- Replacement of the filter or cleaning of the screen
- Replacement of the pan gasket
- A check for leaks
- Fill with fresh, clean fluid

If your transmission fluid is dirty or deteriorating, you might be on the way to a transmission problem. An AAMCO Power Purge® Plus Transmission Flush & Filter Change may help prevent transmission problems before they happen.

Rollin'ES3

I personally would rather go buy 12 qts of Type IV fluid and do a drain/refill twice. But...

Seems like a good deal, I know some dealers charge $150+ for tranny service. Never been to AAMCO so I cant tell you how their service is.

rearviewmirror

Don't flush it. Toyota transmissions aren't too keen on being flushed. (Ask anyone at a 'yota service department.) If you are unsure of the service history of your transmission then do a few drain and refills over ~10k miles. That'll ensure the fluid is fresh.

LW ES300

Rollin - do you mean to do the drain/refill twice right at the same time? Drain & fill 1st and then drive for 20-30 miles and do it again?

Rearview are you suggesting drain 2-3 quarts and refill 2-3 quarts and to do this like every 2000-3000 miles? By doing this the old mixes with the new over 10-12000 miles? Or doing 3 complete drains/refills over 10K?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am skeptical over changing the fluid that has run in it for like 120K with no problems. Any possibility of "digging out problems" or creating problems by draining/refilling? A few of my "mechanic type" friends have advised against giving it a blood transfusion as the worn trans may not like new fluid.

Thanks for your thoughts

basketthis

i've only heard of problems after a full flush
flushing your toyota/lexus transmission apparently causes problems.
i'm with the other two and just say drain and refill. do it yourself and save cash.

Rollin'ES3

Yes exactly. After doing the first flush, drive for 2 weeks or something. Then do another drain/refill to ensure the fluid is really clean.

As far as problems arising due to flushing, I cannot verify that. I did a flush to my ES using a flush/difusion machine and type iv fluid about 10k miles ago. Never had a problem since, and my shifting has improved.

Since there even is any doubt with the flushing thing, just go ahead and do the drain/refill to avoid it all any potential problems.

rearviewmirror

If you're not having problems I'd do a drain/refill over your next 2-3 oil change intervals. You might go through 4-5 qts and sure the "old" fluid will mix with the new, but over 2-3 changes you'll have most of the crap out of the transmission and mostly fresh fluid. ATF is pretty robust stuff, a few drain and fills and you'll be good to go. I'd also recommend using the Toyota OEM stuff, I know there's probably nothing wrong with the stuff from VatoZone, but why chance it, just go for the Toyota branded stuff.

trukn1

No, no NO AAMCO!!!! Lexus tranny's are very sensitive and you WILL have problems after going there. As others have said, if you are unsure of your cars' service history, then do the drain/fill option. If you know fully the car's service history, then do the full flush. ONLY USE the Toyota Type IV fluid, this is what your service dept will use at Lexus as well. Unfortunately, I have heard horror stories of people using other fluids and it has cost them alot of money to correct the problem. This is the fluid that you need to use,,,
001800x600-1.jpg?t=1218512840

LW ES300

trukn1

This is exactly what I wanted to hear, along with the other people who also said drain/refill. Your remark about Aamco is also what I wanted. You are the only one so far, but one bad remark about them is all I needed to see. I too have heard stories about their "service" and this may be the reason for the current "promotion" for trans flush/fill.

I sort of know the history of the car being driven nicely & regular oil changes(because the car was my Mom's for 120K), but she can't remember ever doing anything trans related (thanx Mom ). Thanks for the pic of the fluid. Is it better to get that from Toyota or buy it at Lexus? One would suspect Lexus marks it up over Toyota's price. I have Lexus 1/2 hour south or Toyota 1/2 hour north & ask which you may think is better. eBay, or is that just a dumb idea?

Thanks so much for the advice given by everybody. Have a great week.

trukn1

Well, if your mom was the original owner of the car and you are pretty sure of the service maintenance, you should be ok with the full flush. The fluid will be a little cheaper to buy from the Toyota, I recently bought some for my LS since I need to do the same thing, and the cost was $5.95 a bottle. For a full flush, you will need approx 9 quarts,, for a drain fill, 5-6 quarts will be fine. You can save a little money by buying the fluid yourself and then finding a shop that will knock off some money b/c you supplied the desired fluid, as opposed to using theirs. Next alternative, would be to get the fluid flush/change done at a Toyota dealer as i will be a little cheaper to have done.

Drop down into the NELOC forum and introduce yourself. Pretty good group of guys there, local to your area.

LW ES300

I'm still doubtful that she ever had any trans drain done. She ain't dumb and would remember anything related to the transmission.

Yeah I got a good mechanic right down the street. Lexus wanted $2000 + fluid and H20 pump to do the timing belt & he did it (and all the other belts) for $825. Then I needed to change the flex pipe w/ rear Cat and O2 sensor and he did that for $250 and I supplied the exhaust pipe. Fortunately I know someone @ auto parts shop & got the pipe that retails for $1500 for $325. I have no doubt he can drain the fluid & put in the ATF I provide. Thanks again for the advice.

Dave Mac

My neighbor, a retired Toyota Service Mgr., advises against any kind of power flush of either the cooling system or the transmission on Toyotas. The power flush apparently has the potential of breaking up deposits of whatever and causing problems as they then circulate thru the system. Just drain and refill (twice if you like) with the correct fluid and you should be fine.

Dave Mac

BadViper22

Aside from the dangers of a transmission flush. From personal experience I must say approach Aamco with caution!

H.Q.Inc

I hate to put my two cents in all late but I have to agree with the drain & fill. I had my tranny powerflushed by the local toyota dealer a few months back and within 2 months the transmission has clunked out. After speaking with a few trans specialist and the lexus service tech i found that these vehicles arent made to be flushed. i forgot exactly how it does it but a flush and TEAR UP a tranny quick! be advised...

H.Q.Inc

2001 ES300 by the way...meticulously maintenanced from day 1