Volume for Transmission Fluid?
 

Hello, I have a 2007 ES350 with 182k-km (113k-miles). The previous owner didn't keep lots of records but when I asked the dealership they show a fluid change around 90k-km (56k-miles). Not sure if it was a full flush or drain/refill. Now I'm planning to do a drain/refill with AISIN ATF-0WS.

What would be approximately the fluid volume needed if I don't drop the pan, and if I drop the pan to replace the filter? Thanks.

I dont recommend changing transmission filter and opening a pan based on all the reading here, do a search. For single Drain and fill you will need to buy 3 qt

I think most dealers do a full fluid exchange as they can charge more and they usually use a BG type machine as it is quicker than the official Toyota-Lexus method to do it and to get the fluid level correct as this transmission is very sensitive to the correct fluid level.

See post 5 in this link as it steers you to posts on how to perform a cold drain and fill on this transmission. I agree with tolian21 that you should not touch the filter at this time. Just do a cold drain and fill and maybe repeat it in a few weeks. The total fluid volume is about 7.4 quarts and a cold drain and fill replaces between 2 and 2.25 quarts. That is enough to refresh the fluid and improve longevity and shift quality.
​​​​​​https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-...er-change.html
Also see this thread
​​​​​​https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-...ans-fluid.html

5 years ago I bought a used 2013 Sienna with the same transmission and 89,000 miles on the original fluid. I did 4 cold drain and fills over a month, did another drain and fill 20,000 miles later then traded it in with 130,000 miles and it shifted perfectly at that time. I never touched the filter.

FYI
Using the VIN you can go the the Lexus Drivers Site, join for free and after entering the VIN look up the dealer service history. https://support.lexus.com/s/article/...ew-my-ser-8226
I do this for all used Lexus vehicles I consider for purchase. Note that the site is not as reliable as a Lexus and does not always work!

​​​​​​Join the Lexus Drivers Site (free) then enter the VIN of the vehicle you plan to maybe purchase and with a little hunting you can find the dealer service history. Be warned that the site is sometimes cranky about finding service histories.
​​​​​​https://www.lexus.com/My-Lexus

To see the service history at Lexus Drivers do the following:
On the page that lists the car whose VIN you entered there will be a line that states
Vehicle Health Report
Learn More - click this box
Then on the next page it will state
My Service
On the right side it will state Service History
View History - click this box to see the service history
The it will slowly take you to a page you need to scroll down to see the service history
Each entry will be a line, click on the + at the side to see more about each entry

I did create an account to get some more details on the car but it didn’t want even to add line. Same for the App, and when I called Lexus they said it’s 2007 and old and will not work etc. They weren’t helpful. Then rhe dealer told me they’re all privately owned so I will not find the history on Lexus website, not helpful either!

I’ll get 3 quarts from RockAuto as I plan to get some other stuff and it’s cheaper than local part stores.

What are some of the filter brands that would be as good quality as OEM? RockAuto has few.

edit: I can’t add the VIN. I get an error message repeatedly: “Invalid VIN. Please enter your 17-character VIN found on your insurance card, vehicle registration card, the top of your dashboard or the driver's-side doorjamb of your vehicle.”

Would 3 quarts still enough if I dropped the pan?

sorry, dont know. 5 will definitely be enough

Some have said the OEM trans filter is better as it has a better filtration media.

Just buy a 5 quart jug of Idemitsu TLS-LV synthetic transmission fluid from Amazon for $43. It was designed as an exact replacement for Toyota WS and is cheaper and is what I run in my 2 Lexus vehicles and 1 Toyota vehicle. It has a 90% 5 star rating on Amazon.
Idemitsu ATF Type TLS-LV (WS) Automatic Transmission Fluid for Toyota, Lexus, Scion - 5QT
Engineered for and meets requirements of Toyota/Lexus/Scion Automatic Transmission with WS specifications.

​​​​​​

I would second what @tolian21 said above about not touching the filter. IME, Many more transmissions have been destroyed by changing filters, than saved by changing them. There are multiple risks involved and there is much more risk than reward here. Keep this in mind: transmissions do not generate combustion by products like IC engines and their filtering need are quite low. In fact Toyota/aisin didn’t even consistently use paper filters in transmissions -the 4th generation car does not have one, for example - only a steel mesh “rock catcher.” In many other cases, they are installed in a way they cannot be changed - not accessible.

Unless you are already very experienced with transmission service and repair (and perhaps you are), skip the filter and do not ever worry about it. Focus on these two things:

1) Get a quality low-viscosity fluid like Valvoline Maxlife or Idemitsu tls lv (Use Mobil 3324/Toyota WS if you must, but it’s not the very best fluid),
2) Check the fill carefully with the car running, level, and warm-ish: meaning over 70F and under 120f. exact temperature is not in fact critical and do not waste effort on being more precise if it is not easy for you.

Repeat the procedure every 50k km going forward and you will be in great shape.

The transmission filter is not actually a filter, its a stainer that can only remove large debris. Watch youtube, some people changed filter at 200k and said it was waste of time and money. The risk is to strip rusted bolts or your pan will leak. If you really want to remove pan, I recommend you get new pan gasket.

I have a 2009 ES350. When I do a drain & fill w/o dropping the pan, I get about 2 qts. I then add back about 2 1/2 qts, run it to get it between 104 - 113 deg (measured with my Otofix D1 Pro scan tool), and drain out the ~1/2 qt overfill. No scan tool? I found out my COVID non-contact IR thermometer is pretty close.

there is a jumper wire trick for OBD if you dont have scan tool