Changing Tranny fluid and filter.
 

Hey guys
I'm going to have the Tranny fluid, filter and gasket changed out on my 2013 ultra ES350 with 60,000 mi on it. I'm getting some really what I consider high quotes for the Service. I am going to provide the tranny filter, pan gasket, and tranny fluid, so its basically labor charges only. The quotes I have gotten from local mechanics have been around $200 for the labor. I know it entails draining the pan fluid, dropping the pan, changing out the filter(2 bolts), cleaning the Pan and magnets, replacing the gasket, then adding the required tranny fluid (2-3 quarts) to the proper level. The laborI'm thinking can't be more then 1.5 hrs at $90/hr. I still haven't got a quote from the local Toyota dealer.
What do you guys think about $200 charge, with me supplying all parts and tranny fluid.

Thanks

What are typical shop hourly charges there? Around here $200 would be on the low side most shops charge $140/hour or more. I don't think $200 plus parts to service a transmission is unreasonable.

Hey LeX2K Thanks for your reply. I'm not exactly sure what the hourly labor rates are here in SW Florida. I'll find out, I'm going to the local Toyota dealer tomorrow to see what they would charge. If it's about the same, then I'll have to choose between the local mechanic and the Toyota dealer. I'd probaly go with the Toyota dealer since the 2013 ES350 has the same tranny as the Avalon. Thanks again for your response.

I just pulled the receipt up for my trans fluid change at the local Toyota dealer...$199.95 Cdn. (the service rep there drives an Avalon). I note that they charged me for 4 qts of fluid so I guess they only did the simple one-step 'drain/fill' rather than the 3-step process (a drain/fill only gets about 1/3 of the fluid out at each step). I asked about a filter and they swore that there is no "filter", that it's just a strainer. I've seen a filter sold at online parts stores so I'm kind of wondering...is it a filter or is it a mesh strainer? Anyway it's all good and I'll just get it done again in another 80,000 km or so.

Here is a Service code I have posted before from Toyota. Anyone wanting to get it done at Toyota should just ask them to quote this Toyota Service code. It could be more where you live. In this case I bring my own fluid which I use the Valvoline Full Synthetic Toyota type fluid from Walmart for $19.99. This is a copy from when I had my 13 ES 350 U/L done. Its a simple drain and refill with new fresh fluid. They charge the same for my GS350 also.

Also there is a filter canister. Ask Toyota parts/service for the Avalon or Camry V6 2013 + Filter. I think it's the exact same. Around $50 give or take. There was a Thread here not to long ago where the exact filter part # was posted.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...be77ad22dd.jpg

Post number 51. The ES350 has a filter, not a screen. Every drain and fill I have done on my 2016 takes roughly 2 quarts. A pan drop and filter change is closer to 4.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-...ion-fluid.html

Hmm...I stand corrected. I thought that the "filter kit" was simply a charge for shop material and stealership "bonus profit". Reckon you nailed it, rmak, thanks. The object in your diagram matches the image I referred to as being seen in the online parts stores so gotta go with that. Prices Cdn so multiply by 0.8 to get rough US equivalent. I guess the "drain/fill: drain/fill: drain/fill" routine is for changing the fluid without dropping the pan or changing the filter.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...f2437165b.jpeg

Yes there is a definite filter to be changed, #3533048020 1 $ 77.07 OEM Transmission Filter. Its not cheap, but I only use OEM parts for the Lexus (except for oils, use Valvoline products)

HI jgscott

Thanks for the service code. Ill try it at my Toyota dealer after I get the tranny filter changed, which should replace about 3 quarts of new tranny fluid. I'll do a second drain and fill at 5000 mi later.

Thanks

There is nothing special about WS fluid. It's expensive and word is its not even really synthetic. Any of the name brand Toyota stated fluids are just as good if not better. The whole Toyota World forum has documented millions of trouble free miles on the other Full Synthetic fluids.

Well my local toyota dealer won't do the filter change, if I supply the filter or the fluid!! It looks like my local mechanic will get the job. I have to make sure he has a scanguage to measure the internal tranny oil temp, (104-113) to get the tranny fluid level right .

Why always BOLD? You don't need to BOLD everything. at $18 from Walmart.

Valvoline™ Import Multi-Vehicle Automatic Transmission Fluid is specifically formulated for use in most Toyota, Nissan, Honda and other imported vehicles.https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...acfc1ef479.png