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Here is a link to the thread on changing your ATF. I have done 3 drain and fills on mine, starting at about 36,000 miles. Some Lexus and Toyota dealers will do the flush, some will not. It is a complicated procedure and costs around $300. You should do it by 50,000.
Doing a drain and fill only gets about 2 quarts out at a time, so at least two are need. The thread should answer most of your questions.
Toyota WS ATF is not synthetic and not nearly as long lived as Toyota wishes. There are other full synthetic ATFs that are compatible which are mentioned in the thread. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...hange-diy.html
Hello,
I am new to this forum. My wife just purchased a 2013 RX350 FWD and I am wanting to know when to change the tranny fluid. I don't see it in the Lexus maintenance schedule. With past vehicles I would get it change around 70-80k. Does anyone know this or better yet how often do you all change the tranny fluid?
The transmission fluid is listed in the severe duty maintenance schedule to be changed every 60k miles I believe which includes towing and stop-go traffic.
The severe schedule can be found on the Lexus service manual website that also has the repair guides. https://techinfo.toyota.com/
FYI, the part number for the fill plug gasket is now 90430A0003 instead of 9043018008. The drain plug gasket is still 90430-12008. I got both at Toyota dealer for about $1.60 each, but Lexus dealer wanted about $4 each!
Local Toyota dealer did a trans fluid change at 60k. 4 quarts replaced, according to the invoice. $180 for parts and labor (labor time was 1.5 hours. Seem legit? Have taken my 4Runner and Lexus there for years and never had an issue, so it seems as if it's legit.
I was pleasantly surprised to find two filler plugs. One is next to the wheel well and the second one is above the drain plug. I opted use the wheel well side with a funnel. This funnel (Lumax LX-1603) fits perfectly to the dia of filler hole. My method requires removing the wheel but it was easy to fill (vs. pumping) and no mess.
In my case ('15 RX 450h), I filled 4 quarts after measuring the drained amount.
I was pleasantly surprised to find two filler plugs. One is next to the wheel well and the second one is above the drain plug. I opted use the wheel well side with a funnel. This funnel (Lumax LX-1603) fits perfectly to the dia of filler hole. My method requires removing the wheel but it was easy to fill (vs. pumping) and no mess.
In my case ('15 RX 450h), I filled 4 quarts after measuring the drained amount.
4 quarts? does the hybrid have a diff tranny? most say they only get 2 qts out of 1 drain
The hybrid does not have a traditional transmission. It is technically called a power split device ,and the drain and fill procedure is just a differential service...drain and fill to fill hole. 4 quarts is about right for the PSD, but my traditional rx350 tranny takes more than that if it was exchanged the proper manufacturer specified method.
Last edited by afpj; 05-08-17 at 06:58 PM.
Reason: Technically
im just thinking of doing drain and fills. ive never been a fan of machine flushes.
For the traditional RX 350 transmission, the fill hole is not a level indicator. You'll only be able to drain out about 2 quarts as you noted and stated earlier in this thread, and you only put back in what you got out. I too have seen a lot of negative comments about a machine flush, but as I understand it, the Toyota method just exchange the fluid it does not use any power behind the flush. It just cost a lot more than I'm willing to pay ( at least around here ) and doing a few drain and fills seems to accomplish what I like anyway .
For the traditional RX 350 transmission, the fill hole is not a level indicator. You'll only be able to drain out about 2 quarts as you noted and stated earlier in this thread, and you only put back in what you got out. I too have seen a lot of negative comments about a machine flush, but as I understand it, the Toyota method just exchange the fluid it does not use any power behind the flush. It just cost a lot more than I'm willing to pay ( at least around here ) and doing a few drain and fills seems to accomplish what I like anyway .
thats correct. they called it a fluid exchange on mine when i had it done. they used 12 qts for the exchange. why the lexus dealers near me (including the one where i bought mine) don't do the exchange is beyond me? they will only do a drain and fill, and they wont even do that until 90k.....seriously? its all over the web how this fluid does not seem to hold up very well. gets dirty quickly etc. however whether the fluid is actually spent when it gets dirty like that is another question. my dealer insists they have had no long term problems by not servicing these transmissions. i on the other hand have seen first hand the difference in shift quality and overall performance since i had mine serviced. and that is enough for me. so i will stay with a 30k exchange.
You need a low viscosity synthetic ATF. Warranty is another issue and unless the bottle says it is compatible with or recommended for Toyota WS (like Mag 1 states).
06-16-16, 12:53 PM
