Neil64

Hello All,

I just did a drain of my trans on my 01 GS430. I got 2.75 quarts out. The owners manual says drain refill capacity is 1.9qts. So I refilled with 2.0 qts. With the engine hot and off, the level is full. With the engine running and hot, the level is pretty low.

Can you provide the correct procedure to check the trans fluid level and what constitutes hot (driving 10 miles, etc.) I assume the engine should be running when checking the level but I am not 100% positive since there is no procedure in the owners manual.

I don't want to under or overfill so thanks in advance for your help.

Neil

Neil64

Can anyone help out? Has anyone ran into their car needing more trans fluid than what Lexus publishes as required drain refill capacity?

Thanks...

Neil

ChampGS3

iTrader: (6)

I have a 98 GS4 and I too, thought the recommended factory drain and fill capacity of 1.9qt to be quite a small amount for this size of transmission. A service station I made the comment of this amount to couldn't believe it. You should check it when the vehicle is hot, with the car running to get an accurate reading.

I mistakenly tried to check it while it was Off and cold and the dipstick reading was Way Too High. It makes sense, because as soon as you crank up the car, the siphon tube/trans pump starts drawing from the pan and circulating it through the tranny/tc/ etc. and of course the level in the pan will be reduced.

I would say that if you are between the L and H marks then you are probably ok, but adding a 1/4 to 1/2 to be on the upper end of that spectrum can't hurt. Just make sure you are warmed up, running, and on level ground.

Neil64

How much over the recommended 1.9qts. did you have to add to get to the correct level on the dip stick?

Thanks...

Neil

BCP43002

Here's from a 2002 Lexus manual:

BASIC INSPECTION
(a) Check the fluid level.
HINT:
Drive the vehicle so that the engine and transmission are
at normal operating temperature.
Fluid temp.: 70 - 80 °C (158 - 176 °F)
Only use the COOL range on the dipstick as a rough reference
when the fluid is replaced or the engine does not
run.
(1) Park the vehicle on a level surface and set the parking
brake.
(2) With the engine idling and the brake pedal depressed,
shift the shift lever into all positions from P
to L position and return to P position.
(3) Pull out the dipstick and wipe it clean.
(4) Push it back fully into the pipe.
(5) Pull it out and check that the fluid level is in the HOT
range.
If the level is not with in the range, add new fluid.
Fluid type: ATF TYPE T-IV
NOTICE:
Do not overfill.
(b) Check the fluid condition.
If the fluid smells burnt or is black, replace it.
(c) Replace the ATF.
(1) Remove the drain plug and drain the fluid.
(2) Reinstall the drain plug securely.
(3) With the engine OFF add new fluid through the oil
filler pipe.
Fluid type: ATF TYPE T-IV
Capacity:
1.8 liters (1.9 US qts, 1.6 Imp. qts)
(4) Start the engine and shift the shift lever into all positions
from P to L position and then shift into P position.
(5) With the engine idling, check the fluid level. Add
fluid up to the COOL level on the dipstick.
(6) Check the fluid level is at the normal operating temperature,
70 - 80 °C (158 - 176 °F), and add as
necessary.
NOTICE:
Do not overfill.

GS4_Fiend

iTrader: (22)

This is way I do. Drain it. Put 1.5 quartz. Take it on the freeway for 15 mins. Bring it back home with the engine running, shift from P to L then put it back in park. Leave the car on. Check the level and add. GL.

Neil64

I wonder why my 2001 manual does not contain the above procedure. Well, at least I couldn't find it. I guess I am going to add to the 1.9qts. that Lexus recommends for drain and refill.

Thanks everyone.

Neil

raytseng

It doesn't have it because it's not a owner's maintenance item. It's a service item like changing your spark plugs, brake pads. Only "mechanics"/"technicians" who has been trained and have the service manual are supposed to do this task.

While this is almost as simple as the other fluid checks in the owner's manual, my thoughts are it is left out for safety and legal reasons. An owner should not be given any instructions related to a running engine. Same with any instructions involving lifting and getting under the car.

Neil64

Every other car that I 've owned in the last 28 years had a procedure to check the trans fluid in the owners manual so I am not sure about the safety issue. I will have to look at the manuals for our other 2 Lexus' by my thoughts are they the would prefer you spend money to do this. I called a couple of local dealers and had one argue with me that I have no trans dipstick so I couldn't check the fluid level. Also, $190.00 to drain and refill roughly 2 qts. of fluid (less than $20.00 in parts $115/hour labor) should be considered misdemeanor theft especially when you consider that Lexus states you shouldn't have to change the fluid and certainly not at the 15K interval the dealer recommends. Lexus service is more outrageously priced than BMW and Benz. If wifey didn't want a newer RX I would be changing to BMW. I still might but that is a whole "nother" can of worms!

Thanks though.

Neil

BCP43002

The procedure I listed above is from the service manual, not the owners manual. Lexus probably does not include any needed info in the owners manual to discourage any DIY'ers from working on their cars and depriving money from the mother company.

A co-worker actually had a Chevy that did not have a trans dipstick.

raytseng

well, plus the transmission is not a regular maintenace item. It does not need to be maintained or examined by the Owner.
If you look at the service supplement, it is not even required to change it unless you are under severe service schedule.

New Toyotas/Lexuses with the WS fluid also don't have dipsticks, and don't require fluid change.

bmackinnon

I asked my best friend about this, who is a master tech at Lexus of Ft. Meyers (12 yrs at lexus), and I quote: "drop the tranny fluid every other oil change, pour 2 qts. in, and don't even check it"..... "NEVER-EVER overfill", and "how much does 2 qts of Type T cost?" ...... do as you want, but I'll be changing the 2 qts. in my 430 every other Mobil One change......

and fwiw, the trans holds about 10-11 qts.... mostly in the torque converter, which doesn't drain when you pull the pan plug.... by changing the 2 qts in the pan every other oil change, you are effectively changing the entire fluid volume every 10-12 oil changes.... cheap insurance....