bdpride04

for to top off process, when transmission gets to correct temp by using jumpering method.do I turn off the engine? or just have it running and unplug overflow plug? I am a bit scared of that process what if I connect to wrong pin instead of 4/13, is there a easy way to know which one are those, I haven't opened it up yet, do they have mark on them?

bdpride04

i totally understand drain/refill process, but a little puzzle about top off process,

2006 GS300 AWDs

1. where do i get that jumper cable?
2. do i open that over flow plug when car is on and idling? or just turn the car off when it reaches to a specific temp.
3. is it necessary to do that process, if 3 quarts comes out and if i put back in the same, why we need to do that top off process?

please help

carart21

hey alchemist.nice post. i want to do this on my 06 GS300 with 84k. what about the filter? is there a tranny filter to replace?

alchemist

iTrader: (1)

I have not gotten a clear answer on whether a filter is there or not. I am going to just drop my pan soon and see and report back w a new thread. Unless you want to do it.....

carart21

i'll try and look it up in a parts section (online). Might as well replace the filter as long as your putting all that new oil in, don't you think? thanks again.

Jontay

Here is my .02 cents for what it's worth. posted from another recent thread.
I was ROBBED and LIED to by Peterson Lexus Toyota in Boise, ID.
..................................................................................................................................................................................................

My recent experience with the transmission service on my very newly purchased 2010 GS350 AWD with100k miles. After reading many of these threads about tranny fluid flushes, maintenance, etc. I decided it was a good time to change the fluid since my intent is to keep the car for probably another 100-150k miles.

So, I just paid 250$ to the local Boise Lexus dealer (Peterson Lexus) for what I thought was going to be a "flush"....at least that was the ONLY terminology that was ever used in any of our prior phone conversations. At NO time did the service writer or myself talk about OR use the term "drain-n-fill".

When I picked the car up, I noticed a quantity of "4" listed on the invoice and I inquired as to what this meant since I felt it was most likely 4 quarts since the unit price was listed on the invoice @ $9.10/ea.
This same service writer and the actual mechanic who performed the work, both INSISTED that the quantity flushed was 4 gallons.......which would be 16 quarts total and that 6 of those quarts used were the quarts that became dirty from the actual "flush" procedure and that the other 10 quarts would have been the amount of new Toyota World Standard fluid that was replaced. Hmmmmmm.

So, I then questioned the invoice unit price of just $9.20 (sum total of $36.80) and told the service writer that this story about what service was performed was all bull**** and that I felt the invoice was actually for 4 quarts that was used and that they had just charged me $250 to "exchange" 4 quarts (ATFWS World Standard) of the 10.6 quart capacity of the transmission. In other words they exchanged 40% of the total tranny fluid.

Just a few moments later, the senior service writer/mgr. walked in to our little office and before anyone could say anything I quickly pointed to the invoice and asked him "what that quantity listed on the invoice represented"? He immediately, without any hesitation, stated the number represented quarts. I asked him if he was sure and he said he was 100% absolutely sure of it and that the drain-n-fill" method is the one they use. Again, this was the senior service writer/service manager saying this and this was in complete conflict with what was stated by the original service writer and the actual service mechanic.

I also told them that I thought I had read somewhere (I thought somewhere in this forum actually) that an actual power flush could ONLY be performed at the dealer due to a special type of too/pump (hence the $250 price) that is attached to the tranny to perform this task. No one there seemed to have any idea of what I was referring to. Does anyone on here have any idea if I did actually read something of this sort or have I misunderstood something?

Bottom line, they only exchanged 4 quarts and charged me $250 and flat out lied to me (and my co-worker witness who was with me) about the invoice, how many quarts had been used, type of work performed, etc.

If it matters.....the dealer also charged me $90 to change the rear differential fluid (3 quarts) and also $90 to change the front differential/transfer case (2 quarts). In both differentials 80W90 was used.

Total bill for all this was $438.17

I like my car and was wanting to protect my investment in it. I've ALWAYS hated dealers and once again I feel my thoughts and opinions about dealers are justified and confirmed....AGAIN!
Jontay is online now Report Post

gr8fulRed

yes, you definitely were getting lied to prior to the sr service mgr coming in. What bs! I guaranteed they simply drained 4 qts (which actually is closer to 3.5 based on my experience personally) and added 4 new qts. So..yes...you still have a LOT of 100k fluid in your tranny. I used the multiple drain and fill process described in this thread...and used i believe 13 qts total. The process worked great..no problems whatsoever.

Prior to doing it myself, I called Lexus dealer and Toyota. Got different explanations of exactly what the "tranny service" entailed. Lexus said they use "drain and fill" and when i asked "only one?!" They said, yeah usually. I said, well that's not acceptable..so the guy said he call me back with a total to do multiples. He never called back. Toyota dealer said the DO FLUSH with a dedicated flush machine (for Toyota World Standard fluid only) and that they do Lexus "all the time with no problems" for only $239....running 14 or so quarts through. I was tempted because the case of fluid alone was like $130 or so..but I just did it myself. Most of these dealerships are crooks and I will only use if absolutely necessary. If I were not a "do it yourself" type guy....I would simply show this thread's tutorial to an independent mechanic and provide him the fluid and ask him to do it for me. With a lift (which I didn't have the luxury of using)...this would be pretty dang easy.

carart21

Alchemist,
Thanks for excellent tutorial. I dropped the pan and did the filter. I collected nearly 3,75 qua initially. Used a total of 10 new qts. Found a bolt missing on the pan and most bolts too loose. Car runs super sweet now. What a difference. Can't even feel the shift point and pick up is like new.

alchemist

iTrader: (1)

Good for you man. Glad you solved the riddle. Did you replace pan gasket as well? What filter did you use?

carart21

yes, replaced the pan gasket. that was cool to see the "D" flashing from the OBD. I actually re-used the filter. I was told that that is what the lexus mechanics do. However, i want to go in a replace the filter soon.( this will obviously add a few more quarts of new oil. The lexus dealer gave me a great price/discount on the oil, $8.40 per quart. Can't complain about that. What a difference in the transmission responding.

k20trick

iTrader: (3)

Does this apply to lexus isf's? I just did the drain refill, 3 quarts came out (warm fluid), and 3.2 went back in (cold). I put like 1 to 2 pumps more just to be safe.

Looking at this thread though, I'm thinking of doing it 3-4 more times.

Kashill

Wish I had see this a few weeks ago as I too shelled out $250 to get my trans flushed at the STEALER and noticed a few days after picking up the car that there was a unit price for 4 parts and 1 for labor. I had my suspicion that they may have only drained and filled...haven't gotten around calling the service department as of yet but now I'm sure that's all they did. What a rip off and it hurts even more as I would enjoyed doing this myself with my eyes closed and one hand tied behind me. I should make a stink about a refund as the invoice clearly states "transmission flush" as a requested and as documented in my cars service file.

Kashill

Did the front and rear diff's myself with Mobil-1 75/90 synthetic. The front was a PITA catching the filler plug but doable and fluid was dark and foamy compared to the fluid from the rear diff which looked rather clean.

Kashill

The stealer should have at least changed my filter for a $250 tag.

Rocknrose

I'm convinced. I will do this Saturday since I have 170,400 on mine.