bayareaboy

So I looked through the recommended servicing schedule manual twice and could not find where it recommends to change the tranny fluid?? So when should I do this and at what mileage intervals? Thanks in advance!

bigblack06

iTrader: (20)

Cause technically Lexus says this tranny fluid should last the car...... I doubt it I would change it at 100K

L8Apex

Agreed. BMW says the same thing about their tranny fluid and they have a rack of tranny problems at high mileage.

mr3gs300

You should try to post this up in the maintaince section

bayareaboy

Thanks for the info! sorry am relatively new to the forum.

BinaryJay

Lexus Canada service schedule calls for the fluid to be changed every 96,000 km (or around 60,000 miles).

patricksr5

Looking at the web site for Lexus Service Intervals, I do not see tranny fluid being changed at any of the service intervals.

knshro13

iTrader: (4)

my friend who works for Lexus of Longo in So-cal said to just drain, measure how much came out, and refill +a little more.

i dont know if its that straight forward but when i read through all data, it had all these complicated steps.

silva1181

Yeah I checked with Keyes Lexus and Longo Lexus, and eventhough the service manual does not state to change the tranny oil both service advisors say to "drain and refill" only at 100k miles.

They also said DO NOT let any mechanic Lexus or other tell you it needs to be flushed out. He said flushing out the tranny is the biggest mistake many owners do and it will likely cause more harm than good.

He said just drain and refill and they will measure how much drains out and refill accordingly plus a bit more.

my car is at 91k miles and I am planning to have a drain/refill done at Longo Lexus in about two weeks for $150. This is the best price I found so far.

Arantant

Draining, measuring, and refilling seems pretty easy... has anyone posted a DIY? Maybe on the IS350 as it's probably similar?

GS350Lexus

iTrader: (5)

Im suprised no one said its a sealed transmisson!!!! You can change the fluid but you will require special tools. Honestly lexus would suggest changing tranny fluid if it was really needed to.

Drzava

What's people's views on changing the transmission oil strainer/filter? My GS300 is heading for 100k miles and am thinking of changing strainer and fluid. Fluid has been changed twice before my ownership according to the history.

knshro13

iTrader: (4)

you have a 3rd gen gs? having the fluid changed twice before hitting 100k miles is strange.
unless you are referring to a 2nd or even 1st gen.

BinaryJay

I keep posting this but Lexus does suggest changing it... Lexus Canada does. Why they don't in the US even though the climate over a large portion of the US is identical to a large portion of Canada is anybody's guess.

"Sealed" is not sealed at all, it just means there's no dipstick. Whether the presence of a dipstick or not makes that big of a difference in how long the fluid is supposed to last is anybody's guess, but it's mostly just the fact that the fluid itself is different (WS) from older transmissions. Life of a vehicle to the manufacturers generally means life of the powertrain warranty.

GS350Lexus

iTrader: (5)

My friends 96 ls400 had 260k miles on it never changed transmisson fluid which is suggested and it looked red like it was just taken out of the bottle. Honestly if people want to change it for piece of mind sure go ahead but no dipstick means no way to tell if its less then suppose to be or to check the if the oil is burned. I thought of changing my tranny fluid its just I don't trust anyone to do it as I personally won't be able to check via dip stick.