I have 100,900 miles on my ES300. I've been told you tend to start having transmission problems if you replace your fluid after 100,000 miles. You're better off to leave it alone. Anyone know anything about this?

Well, your mileage may vary, but, when having my CV joints and axels replaced on my 300,000+ mile 1994 es 300 last September, i decided after much reading to have them go ahead change the transmission fluid and clean out the pan. Now, honestly, it had not been touched since around 100,000 miles (after many, many years) - seriously. I was hesitant as you as i experienced problems with a high mileage Ford in the past doing this. But both the mechanic (Toyota/Lexus trained) and what I read (here in the forum somewhere I recall) suggested that with Toyota/Lexus transmissions, they actually recommended to go ahead and have it done, even after such an extreme as my situation. So, I told them to go ahead. Bottom line, either it was no big deal or I was extremely lucky, but I have had no problems. In fact, the magnet in the pan had no metal shavings, so, that was good to know too. My gut is that with you being only 100,000 miles, you should be fine.

There is no harm doing drain and fill. In fact, for my 97 Lexus ES300, it is recommended to change transmission fluid at 24,000 km (15,000 miles) as per owner's manual. I have been changing it as per the recommended interval since I own it. It has almost 250,000 miles on it now....runs smooth.

However, avoid flushing the transmission.

I agree with the above posts, drain and fill.
This car will last a long time as long as you keep up with the routine maintenance and don't abuse it.

By the way, you need to change your timing belt and water pump if you didn't do that at 90K miles.

just got my 99es300 and it has 130k miles on it. How would I know if the timing belt/water pump have been replaced?

Right - the bentley says 15k. I'm at 80k and know that the tranny hasn't everr been changed. Shame on me, but I just got the car from the 'rents.

Mine is a 3es 2000.

I believe the 2000 ES has its first trans service at 90k.

They have a drain plug on the pan. For the 2000ES the correct fluid should be Toyota Type IV - get four quarts from a dealer and a plug crush ring and have it done at the next oil change. You do not want to remove the pan -- the filter is just a screen and no more fluid will come out. The fluid is less than $5 Qt and the crush ring is often free. You are really doing a fluid refresh - as you can not and do not need to remove all the fluid if you keep up on the changes.

Get the correct fluid !

i do a drain/fill every 25k miles and i always have the shop cycle it once or twice to get as much of the old oil out. i currently have 155k miles and tranny still feels strong.

I train my 98 (155K) and my 2006 (60K) every 45K miles and use Amsoil. Fluid comes out clean as the day it went it and smells the same. The best part is after 100 miles in 100+ temps the fluid is warm, not hot.

What type of fluid did you use?

Read the owners manual it will tell you -- the newer ones use Toyota Type IV. This is a Dextron based fluid with a special additive pack.

Use the correct fluid1!!. I would not use any other fluid if it calls for Type IV -- no matter what others say. Use the Type IV if it calls for it.

your suppose to put t-IV fluid in there but the lexus dealer in my area puts dextron III in all their vehicles. i guess its cheaper. but a drain and fill shouldnt hurt anything, regardless of the mileage.

I hit 300K last Wednesday on my 2ES. Took it in to TirePlus [right down the street here] on Friday for an inspection and inquired about a DRAIN and fill. They asked how many miles, I told 'em, they immediately laughed and replied with a "no way you want to do that with that many miles on it." Really??--didn't bother to pursue the idea and just got oil change and Fuel System Tune Up.

Thanks yeldogt, don't have an owners manual. I Would you know what kind a 1994 ES300 with 155k should use?
Brad

You should laugh at them and take your service elsewhere....