tractng

Guys,

I am reading mixed opinions about this type of sealed transmission. Is a transmission service require?

It is wife's car. The shop she goes to is a "Certified Lexus" and they told us we don't need to have it service (fluid change).

Car is 2007 with about 80k miles.

Road Rage

The fluid is rated for 100k miles and requires a bit of a "process" to service.

First, the sealed unit doesn't have a good old fashioned dip stick to add fluid. The process involves using 1 of 2 drain plugs to adjust the level of fluid while it's at operating temp and watching the flow of draining fluid. Real pain in the a**. A way to get around this is to drain the pan into a marked container so that you know EXACTLY how much fluid comes out. Then you add EXACTLY the same amount of new fluid back in. Both fluids need to be at the same temp so if everything is room temp it makes it real easy.

Second, this brings up the hardware needed to add fluid. At our shop, we have a special pump for this that screws into the filler plug hole on the side of the trans. case. We're a Lexus dealer but I'm sure other shops have something similar. If you don't have this type of equipment the whole process gets a little dicey.

Finally, DO NOT have a flush done by anybody. A simple drain and fill is all that's needed. At 80k miles I'd go ahead and do it.