When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
RX450h CVT fluid drain plug and fill plug location (front and rear)
Hybrid TechnologyUnique topics related to the 2010 - 2015 RX450H model hybrid drivetrain and other features/options found only on the RX450H. Please use the main forum for discussion about shared components with other third generation RX models.
and found the 3rd fill hole for front diff fluid on the RX450. It completely avoids drips, but you must measure every ounce of fluid. So I drained as much fluid as I could and added exactly 4.2 quarts of ATF into the 10mm hex bolt hole that is left of the driver's axel. See picture. Again, this will not overflow, so you must measure the amount of WS fluid precisely.
Overflow or not is also dependent on temperature of the fluid. The transmission fluid volume is dependent on temperature. Proper procedure requires that the level be checked at a certain temperature [you allow the access to flow out].
For folks who measure the volume should try to match the temperature of both measurements.
I have done it once and my procedure is to fill at cold and use the old crush washer to snug the fill plug. Then drive around to warm up the transmission and park at level surface and open the fill plug. Put on the new crush washer while the excess is drained out by gravity and then torque the fill plug.
Salim
PS: I don't remember the specified temperature. Please search.
Attachment is my first visual to RX-450H manual. Printed service manual of yesteryears had a different outlook .. larger pictures and Torques on picture.
SET the vehicle to FWD inspection mode ---> can some one explain that.
Salim
The "FWD inspection mode" or more precisely the FWD maintenance mode is to turn OFF hybrid mode. Below is one video how to.
Agree! The CVT gearbox in the RX450h does not require putting the vehicle into Maintenance Mode. I use Maintenance Mode only when doing a coolant replacement job which I have detailed in this other thread: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/hyb...e-at-100k.html
On this topic, I'd like to ask a question on the transmission fluid. I used to have a 2001 Toyota Sienna and still have some brand new/unopened genuine Toyota ATF fluid that I got from the dealer for my Sienna. The part number is 00718-ATF00. My 2013 RX405h Lexus dealer web site says the part number for its transmission fluid (same for both the T-case and rear differential) is 00289-ATFWS-LX, which I bought a couple quarts. This, of course, is also from Toyota
BOTH the 00718-ATF00 (the stuff I bought for my Sienna, as mentioned) and the Lexus on 00289-ATFW-LX look exactly the same (pink, same texture, etc) AND smell the same.
I don't mean to be cheap, can the 00718-ATF00 one be used for the rear differential for the Lexus instead of 00289-ATFWS-LX?
Thank you.
P.S. I just changed my RX450h's T-case using the 00289-ATFWS-LX -- roughly 4 quarts, until overflowed.
I did both front and rear. I started with rear and used 4 jack stands plus the jack for backup.
I did my T-case fluid change today (00289-ATFWS-LX fluid part number) WTHOUT jacking up the car, but, of course, parked on leveled ground. I am small to go under the car without any problem, but the fill lug is in a pretty tight space to get it loosen. My nose is literally 3 inches from hitting the bottom of the car or 1 inch if I face the metal cross bar just below the fill plug. You can take out the tire and loose the fill lug, and put your tire back on to make sure the car is leveled. I didn't even need to do that. I used a swivel ratchet (the exact one at https://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-ei...het-96369.html) and was able to loosen the bolt by making use of the gap right under the fill plug. The drain lug is a bit hard, too, because of very short height since the car is not jacked up. I used a 10" ratchet and an 8" metal pipe ($4 from Home Depot) as a breaker bar that slides into the 10" ratchet to give a little more torque. Got it out.
I have shared my surprise in the past that Lexus uses ATF for the Hybrid transmission instead of gear oil. Since Lexus/Toyota is the manufacturer, I follow what they say. So for the diff I would stay with the specified oil. It is perfectly fine to find and use equivalent or better fluid. I tend to hesitate in mixing different makes. In hybrid case, the process is drain and fill ... 99+% of the fresh fluid [where the balance is left behind] ... is good for me, but in non-hybrid the left behind fluid is substantial [transmission and not the diff].
BOTH the 00718-ATF00 (the stuff I bought for my Sienna, as mentioned) and the Lexus on 00289-ATFW-LX look exactly the same (pink, same texture, etc) AND smell the same.
I don't mean to be cheap, can the 00718-ATF00 one be used for the rear differential for the Lexus instead of 00289-ATFWS-LX?
.
00718-ATF00 is Dexron III spec transmission fluid
00289-ATFW-LX is WS spec transmission fluid
Given that neither the front nor the rear on the hybrids have clutch packs, solenoids, etc. that are found in traditional auto gearboxes like those in the RX350, my guess is that you can use the Dexron III fluid in the rear diff and indeed even in the front, as the fluid is simply there for lubricating of the gears. However, because of the higher viscosity of Dexron III compared to WS fluid, your fuel mileage will probably suffer very marginally. So ironically whilst you will save money by using the Dexron III fluid, the extra drag may cause you to spend a little more on fuel.
On this topic, I'd like to ask a question on the transmission fluid. I used to have a 2001 Toyota Sienna and still have some brand new/unopened genuine Toyota ATF fluid that I got from the dealer for my Sienna. The part number is 00718-ATF00. My 2013 RX405h Lexus dealer web site says the part number for its transmission fluid (same for both the T-case and rear differential) is 00289-ATFWS-LX, which I bought a couple quarts. This, of course, is also from Toyota
BOTH the 00718-ATF00 (the stuff I bought for my Sienna, as mentioned) and the Lexus on 00289-ATFW-LX look exactly the same (pink, same texture, etc) AND smell the same.
I don't mean to be cheap, can the 00718-ATF00 one be used for the rear differential for the Lexus instead of 00289-ATFWS-LX?
Thank you.
P.S. I just changed my RX450h's T-case using the 00289-ATFWS-LX -- roughly 4 quarts, until overflowed.
NO! No! No! 1,000 times NO!!! They are absolutely NOT the same fluid. Only use WS fluid in hybrid drivetrains!!!
00718-ATF00 is Dexron III spec transmission fluid
00289-ATFW-LX is WS spec transmission fluid
Given that neither the front nor the rear on the hybrids have clutch packs, solenoids, etc. that are found in traditional auto gearboxes like those in the RX350, my guess is that you can use the Dexron III fluid in the rear diff and indeed even in the front, as the fluid is simply there for lubricating of the gears. However, because of the higher viscosity of Dexron III compared to WS fluid, your fuel mileage will probably suffer very marginally. So ironically whilst you will save money by using the Dexron III fluid, the extra drag may cause you to spend a little more on fuel.
@tempestv8 Thanks for the explanation. The 00718-ATF00 (Sienna one) does say "replacement for Dexon II and III" on the label's descriptions. The "WS" in the 00289-ATFWS-LX means "World Standard" (whatever that means), and the "LX" is likely for "Lexus." I checked that the 00718-ATF00 (Toyota one) at a local dealer is pretty much the same price of the Lexus one. (Amazon is a place I wouldn't buy due to possible fake and actually twice the price.)
I would be interested to know what the condition of the old fluid is like, when you drain it. If the fluids have not been done in a long time, I would expect the hybrid gearbox fluid may look very dark/black but the rear differential may look somewhat reasonable, i.e. still reddish.
If you want to know the "history" of Toyota automatic transmission fluids, including what WS means, this long video may be quite interesting:
08-20-23, 08:36 PM
