How many of you change the transmission filter?
I have 133k miles on my AWD 08 GS350. I want to do the 3x drain and refill method. On youtube, I see people change the filter. I could not find much info about the filter change on CL. The filter change is a decent sized job, dropping the entire transmission pan requires a lift, and large oil collection trays.

What do most of you do? Simply do the drain and refill, or do you also change the filter?

 

You sure there is a transmission filter?

 

Well, I found the tread with the filter. I still dont see as many people changing the filter as I see changing the fluid...

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...iy-w-pics.html

 

I got a newsletter from Blackstone Labs today, where they spoke about lifetime transmission fluid. You can check it out here. With that said, I might not change the filter.

Blackstone Labs - Lifetime Transmission Fluid writeup

 

Yep I see a filter if it was my car I'd drop the pan and change it.
I've seen quite a few cars with dead transmissions they usually have about 150,000 miles on them sometimes pushing 200,000. Fluid never changed. The term lifetime fluid is a bit of a trick because it makes you think, oh it will last a lifetime which is perceived to be forever. That's not actually what it means, yes the fluid is lifetime but if you never change the fluid the life of the transmission will probably be shorter.

I look at this way the cost to refresh the transmission fluid is very low compared to the tranny failing.

 

I had my tranny filter replaced.
Did the job myself, not a difficult job took me 3 hrs at most (I was cleaning everything thoroughly). Just drain the fluid, drop the pan and filter is in there held by 4 bolts. Afterwards make sure you put a right amount of fluid in. That's it.
If you never had your transmission fluid replaced it's a good idea to do this a few times (just as you mentioned) before replacing filter, so the old filter is going to catch any gunk. Afterwards you put in a new filter and it stays clean. Lift the car with 4 jack stands and make sure it's level, but since you saw how to replace the fluid you should know that. After each drain and refill it's a good idea to shift you car into D and R and go through all gears a few times so the oil can circulate through the system and you are not draining your new oil, spinning wheels should not be a problem when your car is lifted.

 

Can you please share your experience if you did the transmission filter ? And also if you done the 3x drain n fill and how’s your car perform at this mileage? Mine has 110mi and I’m going to use Amsoil signature series and I’m not sure if I should change the trans filter or not ? Thanks for taking the time to answer

 

after research, I decided that at my mileage, I do not think I need a filter change. I would do a filter change as I approach 200k miles though. Currently, I intended to do the 3x drain and refill, however, I only done one so far. My car shifted fine before, but I think it did help. It is on my to-do list to do the others. I am at 155k mile now, and I intend to do the other 2 drain& refill before the end of the year. I did find it difficult to get the car level to do the refill. I used my friend’s lift to do it.

 

I had a mechanic change the filter and fluid for me at 70K miles. I bought it with 65K miles on it. I want the car to last me another 10 years. The car is at 78K miles so I am averaging 5K miles per year. I also had the oil changed for both differentials. I will have this done every 60K miles. With luck, maybe I can keep this car going 20 more years (as long as parts are available and the [EXPLETIVE DELETED] politicians don't make my car illegal).