Depending on how you drive, you are good for 60,000 miles easily. even a simple drain and fill will do a lot now that the filter is changed. Not sure how Lexus gets away with saying it never needs changing when there is a filter with a paper element inside. Congrats on extending the life of your transmission.

 

So I'm going to my local mechanic tommorow to change out the tranny fluid. I gave him the factory write up to do the drain and fill 3x. The write up calls for a minute or two going thru the gears , park to drive and back 2 x to circulate the fluid between each drain and fill. Then on the 3rd drain and fill, check the final fluid level with a scan gauge measuring ATF fluid temp (104-113), while checking fluid drip level from drain plug hole (slow drip). It should change out about 6 quarts of ATF. He is charging me $120, using my Valvoline ATF fluid.

 

That a great way to do it. It's what I do because it changes much more fluid while doing it. On the ES350 after this is done you can normally hear the Trans drive quieter and some whinny go away along with very smoother positive shifts. Let us know what you think when you get it back.

 

Hey jg

I'll let y'all know how it goes! Thanks

 

Did you get a Filter too? Or not this time. If not you can just do next time. Your Trans will out live the time you own and keep the car.

 

Here is another well kept secret on Lexus Transmissions.

When the pan is dropped if you can find this Transmission Line pressure selector switch on your ES350? So based on the Thread below the newer made GS350 2013 - 2020 has it in spite of some saying it did not. Confirmed because a friend went in his, sent me the pics and I found and did mine on my 2013 GS350 Lux. Word is the previous 5th Gen ES350 has the switch also, and I know the 6th Gen Trans is similar if not the exact same. Its used to adjust ride shift quality put in by the Trans manufacture. Soft. Medium, Firm. They are normally set from Factory to Medium 2 clicks.

What it did? Its made the shifts not really firmer but increased the positives in the Midrange. Yes you can feel it more responsive, but still shifts smooth. Also a big surprise plus was a increase in much improved Gas Mileage from 2 - 4mpg. I did not know about it until I was about to sell my ES350. So I only did it on my GS350. If someone has someone with the Pan off, should ask them to look for the screw 3 position switch on their ES350. Also supposedly, I did some research and it said it helped the Torque Converter and Clutches longevity too more positive engagement.

See post 18 for a pic.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/per...ng-dial-2.html

 

Hey jg
I didn't get the drain an fill done yet. My mechanic called on the day of the appointment and said he needed to reschedule because he was swamped. I'll try and get it done after Thanksgiving.

 

I tried to get my local independent shops to do a labor only engine oil change. They all said liability and other excuses prevented it. More than likely not enough profit. About $30 in oil and filter, plus the labor charge for my cost vs. $129.99 there's. I had my '99 Camry transmission fluid changed at about 55k as it was bad. Never went bad in anything else I've owned? Good idea whatever you have is to at least check it's fluid on occasion. It's easy to check.