AJT123

I feel that's sorta high, although this is the Beverly Hills Lexus location.

I have an '04 and I know it's technically "lifetime" fluid, I want new tranny fluid. I just moved to LA and it's NOTHING but stop and go, stop and go, etc. The tranny still shifts beautifully, as smooth as when I picked her up, but I would feel better with new fluid.

She mentioned a flush, but wouldn't a drain and refill be better? The message was left on my answering machine so I'm not 100% sure that's what she meant.

How do those prices sound? $220 for rear diff fluid? That seems high. Is this an easy job for an indy to do? I don't trust anyone but Lexus with my transmission but the rear diff I would get done by an indy.

BTW '04 with 111k. Never changed tranny fluid, been at least 50k since the diff fluid has last been changed. Car runs beautifully.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

About double what it is in Atlanta. My local dealer is $99 for the transmission and I believe the differential was either $50 or $75

AJT123

I'm not even sure if I need the diff change....it doesn't say anything in the service manual about changing it--just inspecting it.

And I'm a little nervous about messing with the tranny fluid also. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. I'm not sure if I want to stir up everything in there. A drain and refill sounds better, but she didn't mention that, just a flush, which I'm not so sure is a smart idea.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

Depends on how long are going to keep your car. Can you get 200k on the original fluid? Probably. But it will degrade the clutches in the transmission to the point of failure. Lexus has service intervals for the transmission everywhere else in the world. Most dealers recommended your service each of those units at least every 100k. Remember, the idea that the fluid won't breakdown is total fiction. Check Toyota dealers as well. I have had my transmission done twice. About 10k miles apart.
Each time the shifting improved. Everyone who does the work comments on the improvement. Its really a no brainer. Have both this units drained and refilled.

If it ain't broke don't fix it apply to your engine oil?...

AJT123

No, of course not; that's done every 5k like clockwork. But I don't think I've seen ONE thread about transmission failure on here. And I'm all for switching out the fluid, but I'm really not sure if a flush is a good idea. Based on all my research, etc., it seems to drain and fill would be the better choice. The tranny has had the same fluid for 10 years and 110k, so I think there's a possibility that completely flushing everything out may "shock" the transmission and possibly cause some issues. Like I said, it shifts great now...absolutely no issues.

Yes, I plan on driving this car into the ground. I can't wait to see just how long she lasts. Here in LA even '90'92 1st gen LS400s are all over the place--some beaters, and some that still look great.

AJT123

I just called back and had a detailed conversation with the SA. She said that they will check the old fluid first for metal or debris, how bad the fluid looks, etc. and then they decide whether to do a flush or not. She said they don't do drain and refill.

She also said she's heard of trannys having problems after a full flush, but with her old jobs of other makes of cars; never with a Lexus

I've called my SA back in Knoxville and asked him the same questions, so we'll see.

Stu

I'd bet a Toyota dealer will give you a better price and for sure they will do it right.

I have a 2005 and I had both fluids changed at 100,000 miles An independent did the diff, cost me $125. It was easy if you have a hoist, which I don't so it was worth it to me. My tranny is sealed, yours I believe is MUCH easier so an independent should be easily able to drain and fill it.

AJT123

Mine is sealed, too. 2004--06 had the sealed tranny. I'm gonna call a Toyota dealer, though. Lol.

shaloo

The differential is so easy, a gas station can change it. The tranny may be sealed (my 06 is) so normally no maintenance is recquired except under special circumstances. If it were me, I would change it by draining and refilling which mixes the new fluid with the old that will remain in the torque converter etc. If you feel strongly about it, you can then drive it a while and then redrain it and refill again. It will get cleaner each time. However, you really need to ensure your timing belt was changed. The recommended change interval for my LS430 is 90K miles. You have an interference engine, if it breaks, your engine is toast. That is probably more important to have done than the tranny and differentail combined.

AJT123

Timing belt, WP, idlers, tensioners were changed last year @ 102k miles. Timing belt looked almost new.

AJT123

Lol, called a Toyota dealer and they can do both jobs for $300 flat.

Not sure how much experience they have with the 6spd tranny, though. Do any toyotas use our transmission?

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

Yes, same transmission. Toyota will do it right. There is nothing's sealed about the transmission. It just lacks a dipstick.

BradTank

I personally would put off the rear differential if you changed the fluid 50k miles ago. And $220 for that particular service is about double the going rate.

writes123

Way too much for those services, especially the rear diff.

My mechanic in Orange County charges 30 for labor and then you can provide the differential fluid yourself. It's pretty simple drain and fill.

The transmission fluid service is cheapest at Longo Lexus which runs around 180 with a AAA discount. However, my independent mechanic quoted me something around 30-45 for labor + the cost of the 4 qts of WS fluid, which many Toyota dealers have on parts specials every month.

My mechanic is a previous toyota mechanic and owns and works on toyotas and lexuses almost exclusively.

JffGRY706

I have 92k on my '05. the diff has been done a few times and last time was$70. I have not done my transmission yet, but am looking for some kind of fluid exchange and will avoid anything with flush in it.