AJT123

04 117k. Been meaning to do this for two years, and glad I finally did.

Lexus dealer did a pressurized fluid exchange, but not a flush. Completely 100% new fluid. Cost was around 280+ tax

There wasn't anything "wrong" per se before and it shifted fine (though a gearhead like me could tell the fluid was old and needed a change), but now:

--Switching from P-D, D-R, etc. is much smoother. Sometimes I'd hear a clack and you'd "feel it" before when reversing, parking, etc. Not anymore.

-- 1-2 upshift is nearly the same, smooth but satisfyingly chunky.

-- 3-4-5-6 etc are noticeably smoother.

-- WOT downshifts are smoother.

-- Higher gear part throttle upshifts are smoother

-- WOT upshifts at highway speeds are smoother

-- Probably the most noticeable thing is how you don't notice anything anymore, lol. When the car shifts into OD you don't even feel it anymore and can't tell without looking at the tach. Before I would definitely notice it.

Glad I did this, and would recommend it to anyone with an 04-06. Seems like new now.

Oh, one more thing....the gear whine in 6th gear between 70-80MPH I've complained about also is gone.

I wanted to get the TSB done also, but I'm no longer in LA traffic and the abrupt 2-1 downshift hardly presents itself here in Knoxville. Besides, I felt raped enough by the dealer.

Merry Christmas, yall!!!!

campisi

Yep, you should also notice that the heater now blows hotter, AC blows colder and the horn honks louder.

AJT123

Um, ok. Whatever you say.

heathervb

Thanks for the details looking forward to my fluid change next week.

Skydiver

Cool thanks AJT123, I have been meaning to do the same. Now I will!

LS430inDE.

Good info and knowledge for a price point. Thanks for the info.

I will be taking mine to the dealer soon for similar service & other high mileage checkups & services. I have about 140k on the clock. Maybe in a month or 2 after the Christmas bills are paid off.

You didn't mention anything about a filter change though. I wasn't sure if our LS's had a disposable filter or screen that has to be cleaned, etc. and just verified our LS's have a filter that costs around $52+ online. (That's for an OEM filter. Not the infamously peddled Mexican Mahle. LOL.)

Did they do the filter also or no?

PS. It bothers me not having a tranny dipstick on these model LS's, to check fluid level and color.

Jabberwock

Thanks for sharing the info and your experience with complete fluid change. Always good to get this kind of info.

AJT123

Sure guys, no problem! Wanted to share my experience and be thorough. Just drove to upstate New York and raced several cars at 90+, lol, definitely smoother top end gear changes. Long legs these cars have.

I was a tad nervous doing this rather than a d&f, but my dealer, as big of a ripoff as they are, has never steered me wrong. Not sure if filter was changed or not, but if it needed to be I'm sure they would have done it.

This is definitely a wise pre-emptive maintenance job. Shifts like new now and I have no doubt about another flawless 120k.

tradosauru

Just curious how many qts of fluid that the dealer used for the pressurized fluid flush?
Because at $10 / qt on Amazon a drain and fill will probably take at least 10 qts over a period of time. The $280 doesn't sound like a bad price.

tradosauru

I called the local Toyota service department and I was told they wouldn't touch the transmission of my Lexus so that tells me their technicians are not trained on how to service a sealed transmission. I'm trying the Lexus dealer in Plano to find out if they can perform the pressurized fluid exchange.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

Aisin does not recommend dropping the pan unless you need to make a repair. The "filter" in the transmission is really just a metal screen and I have never seen it remotely clogged or needing any service.

Here is my BlackStone report after 3 drain and refills. I have done 4 total.

StanVanDam

Are you sure you saw a 2004-2006 transmission pan? The filter is 3 magnets - see attached. You're supposed to look at the particles in the pan and on the magnet to determine the type of wear in the transmission. Steel (magnetic) particles are from bearings, gears, clutch plate. Brass (non-magnetic) particles in the pan indicate bushing wear.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

I believe it looks something like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LEXUS-OEM-35...-/131573893698