OK folks, my ride has 45K miles now in 1 year. I have had the TRAC update as well as the ECM reprogram, however the vehicle still shifts like crap. Dealership is giving me run around and telling me to drive without the TRAC on but that sounds like a lot of B.S. The TRAC update should have cured it. I am now thinking about changing the tranny fluid, for it has yet to be replaced and there is no schedule per the owners manual.

My questions are:

1. The owners manual recommends Toyota's Automatic Transmission fluid Type T-IV ATF JWS3309 or NWS6500.
What is the difference between these two?

2. The part number I got from a local Toyota dealer is 08886-01705 and he tells me it costs about $30 for 1 liter. Is this a good price?

3. The manual states that our tranny capacity is only 2.5 quarts for ATF, however almost every tech I have spoke to states that I need 4 quarts. Does anyone know how much is actually required to completely drain and refill?

4. Some other tech advised me to actually drop the pan on the tranny and replace the mesh screen and pan gasket rather than simply draining and refilling. Is this true or can I get away with just the drain and refill?

5. If the mesh screen is metal, can't I simply wash and reinstall, rather than replacing it?

6. And finally, has anyone else replaced their tranny fluid and if so how often an interval do you change it, do you stay with OEM fluid or some other brand, and what is a decent price for a simple fluid change.

Thanks a bunch.

N1

 

My son's AWD aerostar has 125k miles and started remining in low range for about the first mile or so in the morning. His shop recommended a fluid change out but I said it was more likely the throttle vacuum modulator. He spent $200 to change out the filter and new filter anyway.

Then when that didn't work he chaged out the vacuum modulator. His Aerostar shifts correctly in the morning now.

Engine oil doesn't "wear" out. but many of the additives will. It is especially formulated to keep contaminants in suspension so that they will drain away when you change the oil rather than remain in circulation and thus do further damage to the engine.

Transmission fluid is formulated NOT to hold contaminants in suspension, so they settle to the bootom of the oil pan and generally remain there for the life of the transmission.

Up until about ten years ago I had never heard of ANYONE recommending that the transmission fluid be changed out except in the case of some sort of failure.

If you want to get creative buy a pump with which you can extract a few ounces of the fluid and have it analized for contaminants that should not be there. Otherwise save your money to send your own kids to school, not the unethical car mechanic's kids.

 

23.00 is a good price. Toyota Type 4 or 5 is the latest. Good stuff. No need to run another brand. No gasket if memory serves on the trans pan. Metal mesh filter just requires cleaning. Easy 1 hour job for everything. Remember that draining the pan will do just that-drain the pan-not what is in the rest of the trans such as TC which is several more quarts. A good shop should have a trans fluid exchanger or you can do the ol "unplug the trans hoses trick"

 

Ok, so I stopped by the local Lexus Dealer in Westminster today after work and inquired into the whole tranny fluid issue. Apparantly most dealers recommend a simple drain and refill every 15K miles, cost $69. If you require a more involved powerflush-like service you require 4 gallons of fluid, each gallon about $30 and labor rate of $85.

Funny thing happened after my motor oil change, the vehicle started to shift better. I don't know if this is because of the Mobil 1 or if it was all in my mind or the ambient temp. Our IS seems very tempermental and picky in regards to atmospheric conditions and brand of gas as well.

Also, I found out that my tranny fluid was replaced as part of the 30K service I had done several months ago. Thus, I may get the fluid changed again at 50K miles. In the mean time, I will have them look into my ECM again.

Another nice surprise, I never received a notice for the tire recall, even though my VIN falls within the range. I called Lexus customer service and the **** college interns gave me the runaround. I thought all hope is lost, however, my service advisor, Steve will go to bat and get me an authorization code via a regional rep. The tires are in stock and hopefully by next Wednesday, new tires! I also found out that their prices on 4 wheel alignment has dropped to a more respectable $99, so I will have that done as well.

Finally, has anyone noticed that the escaine portion of the driver's side door is wearing thin due to your elbow constantly resting on there? I don't know what to do about that area. Anyone have a better way of cleaning that area than damp cloth per the owner's manual?

 

to clean the area get some Tanners preserve Leather cleaner and spray it all over and work it out with a rag damp with the stuff too. It will pull it right out, I use the cleaner and it cleans my dash and leather very nicely. You can buy it at Wallyworld for cheap. The tranny fluid should be changed when it starts turning a little darker shade of red almost brown. If it is bright red then you are fine.