Volume for Transmission Fluid?
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 53
Likes: 1
From: Alberta, Canada
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.
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.
CL Community Team
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,179
Likes: 1,721
From: VA
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.
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.
Last edited by Clutchless; Jul 10, 2025 at 07:12 AM.
CL Community Team
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,179
Likes: 1,721
From: VA
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
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
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 53
Likes: 1
From: Alberta, Canada
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
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’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.”
Last edited by Abdel403; Jul 10, 2025 at 12:06 PM.
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 53
Likes: 1
From: Alberta, Canada
Trending Topics
CL Community Team
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,179
Likes: 1,721
From: VA
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.
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.
Last edited by Clutchless; Jul 11, 2025 at 09:03 AM.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,466
Likes: 920
From: wa
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.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 991
Likes: 289
From: NJ
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.
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 1
From: VA
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.
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.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 991
Likes: 289
From: NJ
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.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Saadq12
GS - 4th Gen (2013-2020)
7
Apr 5, 2019 09:49 AM