Transmission fluid question
#1
Transmission fluid question
I just took my car into a independent Lexus shop to get my 45k maintenance done and they told me that my transmission fluid was looking a bit black and I should get it changed. After doing some reading on here it looks like its not supposed to get changed out until at least 100k miles and its supposed to be sealed. Are they trying to get me to spend more money for something I don't need? Also did they damage my car by checking on the transmission oil?
Last edited by Grouchy; 01-22-13 at 06:27 PM.
#4
I went to a independent mechanic that works mainly on Lexus cars. They were quoting me 175 vs 315 for the 45k maintenance that the Lexus dealer was quoting me. Checked their yelp reviews and they seemed legit. But after hearing about the transmission fluid and reading up on the forums, it has me a bit worried. Since supposedly tranny fluid is sealed, will it damage my car?
I was reading up on another forum called Lexusownerclub. A user on there decided to get their transmission flushed at around 30k miles. Apparently the fluid was really black but its supposed to be more of a pink/purple color?
And IF hypothetically speaking, damage is already done since they unsealed the transmission. Should I just get it changed anyway?
I was reading up on another forum called Lexusownerclub. A user on there decided to get their transmission flushed at around 30k miles. Apparently the fluid was really black but its supposed to be more of a pink/purple color?
And IF hypothetically speaking, damage is already done since they unsealed the transmission. Should I just get it changed anyway?
Trending Topics
#9
There is an old school thought (may not apply anymore) that, with age, the clutch pads in the transmission weaken and when you exchange with fresh, more potent, fluid,it tends to eat away quicker on the pads. The thought was to only change the fluid when absolutely necessary.
#10
Driver School Candidate
My 07 has 114,000 and I don't see the harm. I've never heard of a fluid lasting forever. If you've ever priced a transmission for a 460 you'd want to take every precaution possible. My mechanic suggests checking the existing fluid first which can be done by removing the plug marked 'check'.
#11
Maintenance Moderator
iTrader: (2)
It is hard to imagine trans fluid being black at that low of mileage, however it is definitely possible...
There is nothing "sealed" about the transmission, just the fact that it doesn't have an easily accessible dipstick...
It definitely wouldn't be a bad idea to exchange the transmission fluid at any rate, but it may not be necessary...
The note about new transmission fluid causing added wear on the clutches is not true, that may be partially referring to reports of exchanging fluids and transmissions going out soon after - this is not because of new fluid causing wear, it is generally caused by people waiting way too long to exchange fluid and the transmission already in need of repair - the new fluid flushes out any material that was actually adding friction that was suspended in the old fluid, causing an even worse than before condition...
There is nothing "sealed" about the transmission, just the fact that it doesn't have an easily accessible dipstick...
It definitely wouldn't be a bad idea to exchange the transmission fluid at any rate, but it may not be necessary...
The note about new transmission fluid causing added wear on the clutches is not true, that may be partially referring to reports of exchanging fluids and transmissions going out soon after - this is not because of new fluid causing wear, it is generally caused by people waiting way too long to exchange fluid and the transmission already in need of repair - the new fluid flushes out any material that was actually adding friction that was suspended in the old fluid, causing an even worse than before condition...
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post