Tammy

In 2004, Toyota/Lexus started phasing in the new WS Automatic Transmission Fluid. This is indicated by NOT providing a fill tube or Dip stick and a "WS" label on the fill plug. The fluid is filled by using the fill plug as in a standard transmission. I've attached the Toyota TSB. The Toyota part number for a gallon is 08886-02305 $41.60 per gallon. Not available by the quart.
Heads Up to All !

mmahamm

The TSB does not state how to make sure the level is right. I know with my old Dodge manual transmission, back in the 80s, the correct level was at the bottom of the fill plug, which was on the side of the transmission. Is that the case here?

In other words, cross your fingers and hope it doesn't leak. Sounds like a bad idea.

Lexmex

Sounds like money making idea adapted from other car marks.

Tammy

As I see it, full is level even with bottom of fill plug hole, vehicle level. Just like a standard transmissions, transfer cases and differentials.

mmahamm

I hope this idea doesn't take hold. It is much more convenient to have a Transmission fluid dipstick, where I can easily check the quality and level of the fluid, than to have a side fill plug, where I need to park on the level, remove the plug, stick my pinky in there to check the level, and add fluid as necessary with a long, cumbersome funnel (or alternatively, cross my fingers and hope it doesn't leak ever). My old car leaked and I had to do that. It was a pain!

This is one consumer who will be repelled by this "feature" of a "sealed" transmission. All transmissions are sealed! with gaskets and sealant!

TunedRX300

I hope Toyota does not design a sealed tranny and tells us that the new tranny fluid will NEVER needs to be changed. As I found out from the GS forum a link on what the owner finds out his Audi A8 with "Sealed" tranny and "lifetime" fluid after just 30k miles.
http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articl...servicing.html

mmahamm

I thought I read here that they already have, and it's in the 400h. Or am I mistaken?

katzjamr

rx 400h has the Toyota world synthetic trans fluid, there is no dipstick. the maintenance schedule doesnt even have them CHECK the fluid level until 30K. Fluid replacement is at 100K for normal driving conditions. Towing, severe use, hot climate or dusty condtiions have a more frequent schedule. When i ask them to check it at my oil change intervals (3000K) they look at me like im crazy.

TunedRX300

[QUOTE=katzjamr]rx 400h has the Toyota world synthetic trans fluid, there is no dipstick. the maintenance schedule doesnt even have them CHECK the fluid level until 30K. Fluid replacement is at 100K for normal driving conditions. Towing, severe use, hot climate or dusty condtiions have a more frequent schedule. [QUOTE]
Sounds like a copied statement from RX300's Owner's Manual, we all know what happened to our loved RX300 tranny if not changing the ATF 15K under normal driving conditions. Metal particles does not magically disappear whether you make the tranny sealed or not. Here is another picture from that A8, anyone want to put this back into their tranny? Show me a replacable tranny filter and I will start believing ATF is a lifetime one.

Fern

when I changed the BMW's trani fluid at 120,000 km it also looked like something sold over the counter at the local Starbucks...

The rear Diff though was a different story, looked like it could go another 120,000

"Lifetime" is a relative term, who's lifetime, mine, yours, the fluid's ???