jonas's RX

Guys,

My 01AWD current has only 89,000 original miles and I change my ATF with a drain and fill every 15,000. So far the fluid remain fresh red and no issues.

I have never drop the pan to inspect if I have a mesh filter or a paper filter. Heard around 60-80K would be a good time to drop the pan and inspect .

My Q is if the metal mesh filter is what I have and even inspection will only get 20% clean with the metal filter. Is it worth messing with the pan if the transmission is great? Also if I drop the pan , would I need to buy at minimum the tranny gasket and or a new filter if it is the paper type?

thoughts

salimshah

Removing the pan will get you few more ounces of the fluid so amount of volume of fluid replaced by drain vs drop is negligible.

The only advantage [imho] is visual inspection of the innards. You will be able to clean and reinstall the magnets [just make sure you put them back in the same location]. If there are some sediments that the drain did not get, you can clean it. If you have a paper filter, you should replace it. The metal screen should be washed with part cleaner [I used brake cleaner and then dried it thoroughly]. I think I had to use a form in place gasket for the pan.

Is it a must service, i would say no. You can postpone it till 120K at which I would say open and check and replace paper filter if equipped.

Make sure you use torque wrench to set the pan in place.

Salim

jonas's RX

Thanks Salim RX300 god!

Q I do hear some RX300 owners are typically dropping the pan and replacing or cleaning the filter a few times(?) when doing their AT service. Is this additional step really necessary before 100K? I see you are also saying dropping pan before 100K is not really necessary until probably 120K if fluids were replaced regularly and no issues with tranny? Is 120K when the pan most likely should be opened? Are most RX300 owners who are not changing the fluids regularly ( IE 15-30K) are the ones you see typically having to pull the pan as well as a last resort because and at that point it is too late which is why they are pulling the pan?