Trans fluid drain & fill, 3x - is it okay?
01-09-24, 06:06 AM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Trans fluid drain & fill, 3x - is it okay?
So I'm entering the world of "what is the best oil" question. But I'd like your opinions.
I have a GS 430 with 205k on it. Last time the trans was drained & filled was 50k or so ago. I did a drain & fill over the weekend (2.5 qts) and it seems to drive & shift better.
On an old honda pilot I had, it was recommended to do this 3x with older fluid. Three, drain and fills over the course of a weekend or so to flush out the old fluid & replace with new clean fluid.
(my old fluid was thin & dark)
Since I just did a drain & fill, I would really like to now do a drain, filter replacement & fill again. Ideally soon since I know the procedure & it's all fresh in my mind.
Then I'd probably wait another 5k to do the third drain and fill at my next oil change.
What do you all think of this?
I have a GS 430 with 205k on it. Last time the trans was drained & filled was 50k or so ago. I did a drain & fill over the weekend (2.5 qts) and it seems to drive & shift better.
On an old honda pilot I had, it was recommended to do this 3x with older fluid. Three, drain and fills over the course of a weekend or so to flush out the old fluid & replace with new clean fluid.
(my old fluid was thin & dark)
Since I just did a drain & fill, I would really like to now do a drain, filter replacement & fill again. Ideally soon since I know the procedure & it's all fresh in my mind.
Then I'd probably wait another 5k to do the third drain and fill at my next oil change.
What do you all think of this?
01-09-24, 06:25 AM
#2
Some will say "overkill, as you're draining out a lot of the loose friction materials, and can cause issues", etc.
If you're OCD like me - wait a couple oil changes, so you get the 10k in there, blend the oil and then add some more fresh stuff along with a new filter (and a tiny bit more fluid).
I personally follow the old Lexus way (like pre-2006), where cars had a dipstick and called for 3yrs/60k (or something along those lines), and 30k if you tow.
In my "family fleet" I just do it when I remember (and always start a new-to-us car "fresh"), with consistent changes from there on out, with mileage on each, typical 2-3yrs, as we never hit more than 40k (KMs) in that time anyways.
In my Camry I've done it a bunch, arguably too much as it doesn't do much better than had I skipped 1-2 D&F's. (bought with 34k KM's, @ 154k KM's now. I've done 5x D&F's and one filter since 2015) fluid is bright red til this day. I've followed the same 2-3yrs approach in my brothers RX330 (with nearly 300k KM's) and the fluid is still bright red, as new, never did a filter on it in ~15yrs)
If you're OCD like me - wait a couple oil changes, so you get the 10k in there, blend the oil and then add some more fresh stuff along with a new filter (and a tiny bit more fluid).
I personally follow the old Lexus way (like pre-2006), where cars had a dipstick and called for 3yrs/60k (or something along those lines), and 30k if you tow.
In my "family fleet" I just do it when I remember (and always start a new-to-us car "fresh"), with consistent changes from there on out, with mileage on each, typical 2-3yrs, as we never hit more than 40k (KMs) in that time anyways.
In my Camry I've done it a bunch, arguably too much as it doesn't do much better than had I skipped 1-2 D&F's. (bought with 34k KM's, @ 154k KM's now. I've done 5x D&F's and one filter since 2015) fluid is bright red til this day. I've followed the same 2-3yrs approach in my brothers RX330 (with nearly 300k KM's) and the fluid is still bright red, as new, never did a filter on it in ~15yrs)
01-09-24, 07:52 AM
#3
Since you already know how to do a drain and fill just keep repeating it then drop the pan. Also did you ever examine the color of the fluid when you drained the fliud? The darker smelly the atf is the poorer condition the internals will get. Even though lexus transmissions are stout and very tough. I would rather play it safe!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post