friscogal

Some folks say that you should never get a tranny flush on a RX300 1999 AWD. Others say you better do it every 15K.

Some say if you do decide to flush, don't bother taking it to a dealer, take it to a good mechanic and save $$. Others say always take it to a dealer or suffer the consequences.

Thoughts? Experiences?

bob2200

I'm not aware of anybody saying to flush every 15,000 miles. Perhaps you are confusing a drain-and-refill with flushing. Don't flush, do drain-and-refill.

I think the risk of taking it to an average mechanic is that, basically, you must use Toyota/Lexus transmission fluid. This is not something the average mechanic has on hand, and using normal automatic transmission fluid could be a disaster.

friscogal

bob2000 - brilliant! That explains my broken tranny. I took my RX300 to an oil change place yesterday and let them convince me to change the tranny fluid. Today my mechanic is checking my broken down Lexus, but is almost 100% certain that the oil place put in the wrong fluid because THEY/VE DONE IT 4-5 TIMES BEFORE THAT HE KNOWS OF.

Boy, do I feel foolish.

But I might get a new tranny out of it, paid for by the insurance company of the oil change place .

pauljcl

Concensus seems to be to change fluid but never to flush....
I cross my fingers for you. May the mechanic have screwed up!

trhs75

I had my dealer flush mine at about 120K, just because I trust them and I don't know that it had ever been done to the vehicle before. They recommended keeping the original metal filter screen, not replacing it with the replacement paper element. No problems so far....

sktn77a

iTrader: (2)

My dealer just drained and filled my transmission at 30k and 60k. At 90k they flushed with their "special" Lexus transmission flush equipment but didn't change the filter (they have never dropped the pan). Now, (130k) they advise against flushing - just drain and re-fill.

Go figure!

trhs75

My thought is that one good flush at 90K or so might be a good thing; after that, I'm hoping an occasional fluid change will keep things going as long as we have the vehicle.

JohnLX300

iTrader: (2)

I did a flush around 82k when I first got my RX, after about 6k after I dropped the pan to clean the magnets, and see the condition of the filter. The screen filter I tried to clean most of the metal fillings out, but since you can't get it all out, I believe you can still order the screen filter from toyota/lexus I just don't know the part #. Also, even after this "flush" with toyotas "special tranny flush machine" there was still a gray milky residue on the bottom of the tranny pan and the magnets definately needed a cleaning. While I was on there cleaning it out i through in 3 more magnets to try and prevent tranny failure. The only thing I think the "special tranny flush" is good for at toyota is the completely evacuate the old fluid with new.