2007 ES350 tranny fluid question..
 

My car has 105k miles. Car shifts fine. I am second owner. Previous owner always took it to the dealer for maintenance where he purchased the car and that is where I purchased the car from. Looking at the Full history I did not see any transmission service done. Is it too late? I hear that after a certain amount of mileage / time better to just leave it? Doesn't seem like a good idea but I wanted to make sure.
Thanks in advance.

I don’t think it’s too late. Take a sample of the old fluid if you’re worried. If it smells burnt and looks extremely dark then reconsider, but if it’s still in good condition keep going. From what’s I’ve read a simple drain and fill only removed about 2-3 quarts which is a fraction of the total capacity so you’ll still have a lot of original fluid in the transaxle.

Replace it. Use OEM.

While OEM Toyota ATF is alright to use, it's best to go with AmsOil synthetic ATF.

I paid a Lexus dealer to do mine and seeing how only a fraction of the fluid can be drained, I now intend on doing it myself - several times over a course of 6 months (my oil change interval) until the fluid comes out clear and is fully replaced with synthetic fluid.

Car is clocked at ~166,000 KMs and the fluid was first changed (since new) last year at ~158,000 KMs.

Any recommendations as to how often I should follow drain and fill procedure to replace all the old fluid with brand new fluid? I understand the temperatures have to be over 104 C (F?) Before the excess fluid can be drained, is there a temperature requirement for the initial drain?

Drain/refill every 20000.
Full change 50-60000.

Full change, as in flush? Should that be fone by a professional? I'm comfortable doing drain and fill, not familiar with flush - even the dealer advised against it.

Flush is really an incorrect slang term for what is actually a fluid exchange. The dealers and better shops have transmission fluid exchange machines that measure the temperature and volume of fluid pumped out as the vehicle engine and transmission are running and replaces that exact amount of fluid with new fluid. There is no flushing under pressure. The car running is moving all the fluid around. They hook the machine to the transmission cooler lines. Since the Lexus automatic fluid level has to be checked using the overflow tube at the correct temperature it is difficult to do at home unless you have the right equipment.
With the fluid exchange machine, I suspect they may be able to opt to bypass the overflow tube level check and just let the machine adjust the level by measuring the fluid out and in. However, I may be wrong.

The drain and fill is best done with a cold engine as hot fluid expands. So if the car and the new bottles of ATF are the same temperature you can be sure what you drain out and measure will be accurate as a guide to the amount to be replaced. I always add an extra 4 ounces or so to allow for spillage etc.

On a higher mileage vehicle it is safer to do several drain and fills a few weeks apart to gradually introduce more new fluid into the transmission. Less chance of disturbing built up grit suddenly.

I have used MAG 1 full synthetic low viscosity multi vehicle ATF in my RX, Sienna and HS250h for over 50,000 miles and many drain and fills with no issues. All shift like they were new. You can get a 6 pack at Amazon for about $35. It is made by Warren Distribution, the largest private label refiner in the country. They also make oil and ATF sold under the Wal-Mart, Advance Auto, Costco and many other private brand labels.

Noted, very helpful. I'm inclined on doing a complete fluid exchange and try and maintaining the fluid with every oil change. I would consider 166,000 KM to be high mileage. Could I test the fluid (after a drain and fill) to see if it would wise to have a complete change? I don't want to damage the transmission but at the same time I want to start off witha clean slate as far as fluids are concerned.

Try to find my DIY, everything is explained.

Request that your dealer first inspect the fluid to see whether it is too burnt or contaminated to be flushed. Low pressure 100% fluid exchange is the dealer write up for a "flush", at least that is what appears on my report. Should run you $3-400. THey use a system of pumps and thermometers to properly replace all the flui

I think you should do it and I think no harm will be caused if you do. My car had its first flush at 5 years ago at 90k miles and again this year at 150k. No problems either time. Now, your car is 100k miles, which should be ok. But if it was 100k city miles and infrequently driven, it may be too far burnt and damaged.

Toyota/Lexus dealers will use Toyota WS fluid.

The only reason people do drain and fill is when they are worried about damaging an already old/damaged transmission. Yours should be fine. Dealers check the fluid to see if its burnt before they do the flush. If it is burnt and indicating trans wear, they won't do the flush.

Perfect, my thoughts exactly. A damaged transmission will not benefit from a fluid flush/fluid change, but that shouldn't be the case with a healthy transmission. I will book an appointment for a complete change and request synthetic fluid that I can provide.

I appreciate all the input will take it to get it changed.....:thumbup:

You're fine! Trust me! I purchased a 2007 Es350 with 120k on it and the tranny history was unknown as well. I took it to the lexus dealership and had them change it.

Car shifts amazing. I was having a hard shift issue before. Sometimes especially when it was cold it would shift hard on second into third gear.

I called around. No Lexus dealer has a tranmission fluid flush machine as none of their cars require a transmission service on paper. Toyota dealers do offer it and it's not that expensive of a service (flush not drain and fill).

I got in touch with a dedicated independent transmission service shop that will do a complete service. This includes: transmission pan removal (1/4 of the fluid is removed), perform a complete flush, change the fluid filter, attach a new gasket and reseal the transmission pan.

Cost of service is $340 CAD + tax.

Fingers crossed, hoping I don't end up regretting it, especially since everything is working well. Knowing the fluid is heavily contaminated is on my mind and is going to bug me to no end so it must be done.

I'll report back once it's done (1st week of May).

The Lexus dealership down here in Ohio does a soft flush... They let all the fluid out. And then fill it and let the new fluid run out along with any left over old fluid and it's done by a computer and fluid is measured by that computer. The same amount that goes out goes back in.

This was told to me by a lead Lexus technician working on my car.