daryll40

My dealer is recommending a tranny fluid flush at 40K on my 2004 LS430. I don't see it listed here in the book at a quick glance...maybe it's there at a higher mileage.

What do you guys think?

campisi

I think you should never do a tranny 'flush'. Just drain the fluid / replace.

GRAND_LS 4

iTrader: (2)

If you still live in Pittsburgh, with all the hills, then I would do the tranny drain and refill a few times. OR flush if it’s done at the transmission's pace, as opposed to a machine.

Nauticalx

Ive got almost 90k miles on my 02 LS430 and I was strongly considering changing the tranny fluid myself but when I pulled the dipstick a nice little yellow sticker said that "ATF need not be changed under normal driving conditions". So does this tranny not need to have its fluid changed ever?

GRAND_LS 4

iTrader: (2)

We'll actually, since the recall, the 04's have a new tranny fluid, its synthetic, and does not need to be changed according to Lexus. However, I would prolly do ith sometime around 50-60K. Its a sealed unit, so im not sure how you would really know the dealer even did it.

anwar1337

Idk if it any different from the 05 LS but i've heard that you should change it at 150,000K or even higher because theres a vaccuum seal and once you open it you must again vaccuum seal it. I could be completely wrong but its what I was told.

campisi

I agree with this poster.

Nauticalx

I referred to my repair manual and it seems that the pre-04 unit is not a sealed unit and the schedule recommends replacement via drain and fill at the 120k mileage interval only under TOWING conditions or burnt smelling fluid.

Now, my thinking is that thats all fair and good but fresh fluid may extend the life of the unit by increasing the lubrication. AM I wrong? The fluid does not smell burnt but it does seem as if its original fluid and I am close to 90k miles. Should I change it or leave it as the manual states?

Boomer01

Did you ever flush your tranny? My 01 has around 117,000 miles and I am wondering about this also.