ls3some

The general procedure is as follows, I've used this on a gx 470 V8 4runner and Ls430. Difference is you need a scan tool to see the trans temp 104-111F to check fluid level correctly on our Es350.
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https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/...mission.68462/

The alternative way is to do it like this. You're only going to replace about 1/3 of the fluid at a time this way. This guy uses amsoil which is the best and most expensive option

ls3some

I'm only at 45k on my wifes car so not due for a flush and fill yet. Based on Blackstone lab analysis of other ppls WS fluids I've seen on Bob is the oil guy and toyota forums it typically needs replacement at about 100-120k miles. I guess that's toyotas definition of a lifetime fluid?. Trucks are harder on their transmissions - towing, vehicle itself is heavier , typically have more torque and some are used offroad. But they also have transmission coolers from the factory which you won't find on our cars. My wife puts about 25k on her car a year so I will be doing this soon enough

gamma742

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Lifetime Means LIFETIME!!

Here is a Toyota Tacoma with 1,200,000 miles on it with nothing done to the Transmission.

Skip to 3.14 minutes in if you don't want to watch the whole thing.
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JimInTN

I've done the drain and refill on other brands of autos with good results. Do the D&R, drive for a week, then repeat, drive a week and repeat. You end up with pretty much new ATF fluid in the tranny.

hisstojay

There are so many opinions about this subject of changing the ATF and what Toyota means by "LIFETIME"...and everyone seems to stick to his/her opinion. Speaking about Lifetime; I am a Chemical Engineer and I believe molecules do break down due to heat (whether internally/externally generated heat). So overtime the ATF molecules would break down and consequently the ATF could lose texture and viscosity and hence a need to replace. The procedure for the replacement would now be a critical point to decide: Flush... or Drain&Refill.
I am not a Toyota Engineer but I am speaking from the perspective of Material science/technology and Thermodynamics; and that said, everybody to his/her opinion.

I guess you may be right!!!!!

12jimmyjam

gamma742

Jimmy your argument is not with me ...it's with the Toyota Engineers that say it's Lifetime, I side with the Toyota Engineers.

Most Lexus Owners don't keep their vehicles beyond 100K, They are itching to get a new Lexus long before then.
This guy went 12 times that far.. Apples and Oranges. Ha! Lol!

I changed the fluid in the Spring of 2018 on my wife's CT200h at 100K. I think it was a waste of time and money. I won't be doing it on my ES300h.
Her car we plan to keep until around 140K (She loves it), while mine I only plan to keep until 125K it's currently at 92K. Yes I know, I keep cars longer that most Lexus Owners.

thallium

I think the "lifetime" recommendation is complete marketing bs. They're playing the numbers game. Most owners won't own the car long enough for a problem to occur and most subsequent owners won't own it long enough either or will not encounter any significant problems but none of that means the fluid is lifetime it just means "most" owners will not have or notice any significant problems, which is true, but it doesn't mean the transmission is not degrading.

I changed the fluid in a badly shifting 2007 V6 Camry with "lifetime" WS fluid that the dealer supposedly flushed at about 72,000 miles. I did this at 80,000 miles and that fluid was like dark red cola that was stinky. The transmission was also full of aluminum powder that the magnets don't pick up and that the filter was probably having a hard time straining out. This is the condition of the transmission that all these people and Toyota/Lexus techs say is in no need of any service for lifetime. After I drained the pan, changed the filter and drained and filled 12 quarts of Valvoline Maxlife from the radiator cooler line the transmission shifted significantly better. This U660E was notorious for shift flares but changing the fluid has pretty much made the problem go away.

I now have 115,000 miles on it and have done 2 full drain and fills and everything still running smoothly. If I'd listened to the naysayers I'd probably have a ruined transmission by now and the grand total for all the fluid, filter and gasket was about $200.00. So, I think changing the fluid is absolutely essential and inexpensive insurance and I plan to do the same thing on my GS350 that now has 68,000 miles.

hisstojay

[QUOTE=hisstojay;10385318]........Speaking about Lifetime; I am a Chemical Engineer and I believe molecules do break down due to heat.......


[QUOTE=thallium;10387770]............but it doesn't mean the transmission is not degrading.......


YES!!!! That is the exact term (DEGRADE); I used "break down" in my earlier reply. Subsequent to use overtime, the transmission fluid will degrade.
But like I said, everyone to his/her opinion....

Thanks Thallium!!!!

ReachJoe

Has anyone actually confirmed which line to pull to flush the ATF?

ls3some

Looks like the top is return. I would trace it to the radiator and unhook it there, attach small piece of tubing and drain to a bucket or bottle that has volume marks so you can keep track off how much is removed. You only get 10-20 second before it runs dry and should be shut off and refilled. 50 K drain interval is probably overkill unless you're a taxi/uber