So I recently purchased a 14’ GS350 F sport RWD, 119k miles. It’s my backup/daily currently but it’s a keeper so I’d like to get the transmission fluid changed cause I’m sure it’s never been. I know they state the trans fluid should never need changing but we all know better.

I called 1 of 2 dealers in my city because I know it’s changed a particular way, so I’d rather have someone w/ experience do it. Well they refused, they said they are not able to change the fluid there, this is a service writer mind you. I explained I know I’m aware that it’s not a scheduled fluid to be changed but I’d like mine done, not a flush, just drop pan, filter, refill whatever was taken out. He reiterated that they don’t have the equipment to do that there. I asked if he knew any other place that would be able to service Lexus, of course he didn’t. He did say it would be $190 for the rear diff fluid change.

Whats The deal, what if the pan was cracked, and needed to be changed? That’s not a possibility for them?

Have any of you guys ran into this issue? My first Lexus and the service isn’t great.

 

Sounds like they just don't want to do it for whatever reason, they are fully capable. Try other dealerships including Toyota. It's pretty straightforward. A trusted independent mechanic that works on Toyota should also not have any problems.

 

@i3oosted - We are prohibited from discussing this topic because it typically ends in the same old information being said over and over, in a back-n-forth debate each time - eventually with the thread being locked.

We have been asked to just link to posts rather than repeat the same thing over and over in threads.

I think this is best done by only sharing links to previously locked threads that cannot be posted in or links to individual posts within a locked thread which may be helpful.

So, keeping with that request... ► https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...l#post11767756

 

OP -

You are wise to get on top of this. That mileage is a good place to start. If it’s never been done before, a volume swap is wise - drain out the whole volume of the trans (close to it, or a little more) via the cooler lines while refilling via the pan. Your trans volume is about 10qts. If it were my car I’d push 10 to 12qts through it this way, then do at least the pan volume every 30k miles, more often if you drive hard consistently.

If you can DIY your own oil change, you can do this and we can walk you through it if the other threads and YT videos are not enough - there are a few out there. Alternatively, a decent indy mechanic or transmission shop, etc. will do it.

Based on my most recent dealership experience - picking up a new-ish (2023 ES UL) at Autonation Ford, do not go near a dealership. THere are likely some good ones out there still, but this was a wretched hive of scum and villainry.

 

He's BS-ing you. They need the same equipment that they'd use to fill up a, say, rear diff - and the rear diff's fluid IS a service item.

 

this I figured, he basically gave me the “we don’t wanna do it “ answer lol.

 

I would find a local Lexus/Toyota shop and see what they would do. Spill and fill only gets about 2.5 quarts. An exchange cycles through 10 or 11 quarts.
There's a good shop near me in Los Gatos (Silicon Valley); great work and great prices. They know the cars.
Good luck.

 

@JeffKeryk - Here's an editable Excel 'ATF Drain-and-Fill Calculator' in the attachment of this post.

The calculator provides the number of D&Fs needed to achieve a desired percentage of total replacement.

I hope it helps the 'Drain-and-Fill' folks!

 

Yes every Toyota Tech I know and ask in the Toyota dealers shops. Do change their fluids on every Toyota they own themselves.

 

Valuable point. I made one of these years ago to share at Toyota Nation, IIRC. Iv’e set it to (what I think) are the nominal values on this transmmission. It’s a powerful argument for swapping it in an exchange once you know the whole volume is well-worn. I estimate it would take 10 to 11 drain/fills of 25 quarts to get the same amount of new fluid in as you can in a single 11 or 12 quart exchange. Drain/fill has very rapidly diminishing returns when you have a lot of dirty fluid you want to get out.

 

► Of course the chart (above) you posted matches up perfectly with the Excel Calculator (.xlsx file attached below) when using 10 Qts Total Capacity and 2.5 Qts for each Drain & Fill...

I think if anyone is planning to do D&Fs - for it to be effectively beneficial, at least 5 or 6 D&Fs should be the minimum goal to achieve about ~80% of the original fluid replaced, and the D&Fs should be completed within a relatively short period of time/mileage, i.e. within 2-3k miles. I think this goal of about ~80% of the original fluid replaced would be applicable for most any original liquid to realize a reasonable amount of dilution that eliminates a significant amount of contamination/impurity and to benefit from any additives available in the fresh fluid. This would apply equally to brake fluid, for example.

 

If anyone is interested, here is what I did... FYI I bought the GS350 F Sport used from Putnam Lexus in Redwood City; it was the owner's personal car before I got it. I do not know if the trans was serviced before I got it; I doubt it. The 2013 used the 6 speed trans.
At about 75K I had a great shop pull the pan and replace the strainer screen (filter) with the Lexus part. It probably took 3 to 4 quarts of fluid. The old fluid was worn, but not burnt. I used Idemitsu WS equivalent because it is a synthetic, WS is thought to not be. I cannot say for sure...
Last week, at 110K, I had a Lex/Toy shop do a fluid exchange; I gave them 7 quarts of Idemitsu I had and they added 4 quarts of WS. Of course there was no need to replace the strainer. This shop also told me the fluid was worn but not burnt. They recommended the fluid exchange instead of the spill-and-fill.

This car is perfect.
My post is meant to be informational only; some do not believe in trans services, others prefer partial fluid replacement. I was one of those, but after talking to some mechanics that I respect and the shop I used, I decided to do the fluid exchange. I am very happy with the results and will not service the trans for some time going forward.

I love this car.

 

Tell them you tow or use the vehicle for commercial purposes (like Uber etc …) The Toyota/Lexus maintenance schedules does state to change the ATF every 60K under “special operating conditions”. Different Toyota/Lexus manuals have slight variations in defining the conditions. They include, off-roading, towing, commercial-use, using a roof-carrier, etc …

 

Something similar with having the same dealership replace the trans filter on a previous car versus my current. They changed it no problem before but suddenly they do not change them and never have... same dealership, same service advisor. I still have the paperwork for my older vehicle showing the filter was replaced. It must be a liability thing.

 

In your case being you had done prev drains, the flush machine exchange should have been ok. I would Caution all though that it does not always work out the case with Flush machines, especially with 100k miles plus cars that never had fluid changes. I have seen a few GS's, and Lexus and others, that had a fluid exchange that afterwards did have a problem. So the drain and fill is the safe way imo. I also wonder if when shops do Flush machines, if they really do the end procedure of, the Temp check and level per the service doc? 4 quarts out is still 4 quarts of contaminated out, and 4 quarts of brand fresh new in if done at a interval.