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Lexus (as well as many other car makers) is losing-out on a lot of service profits by not putting transmission fluid replacement in their maintenance schedule. The reason why it is not in the maintenance schedule is because - it is not needed.
For the naysayers that may argue that Lexus would prefer to repair or replace the transmission due to not replacing the transmission fluid - you would have tens of thousands of owners complaining of transmission failures and ultimately a major class action lawsuit brought against the car maker(s).
For the owners that have fallen so head-over-heels in love with their car and truly expect to keep the car for many decades and gazillions of miles - my suggestion is to give it until 250,000 miles and if you still own the old outdated and worn-out car - replace the transmission fluid.
There are numerous Youtube videos on changing Toyota no-dipstick transmission fluid.
It is basically a spill and fill, with setting final level at a specified fluid temperature.
You can search this site for this topic for addidional information.
I wrote up the procedure I am going to follow; I doubt it is in any service manual.
There are numerous opinions on transmission service; what you do with your cars is up to you.
Personally, I do not believe in lifetime fluids, period.
Also, I will use a good synthetic fluid, Idemitsu WS equivalent, instead of WS. Again, my choice.
This is not meant to disrespect the wonderful posts on this forum.
I can tell you after servicing automatic transmissions, the transmission shifts better and sometimes pulls better.
This is my 2 cents.
Thanks, Jeff. I'll search for your post. I imagine, I can just measure the amount I drain and put that exact amount back in. Any idea who makes our transmissions? Are these Aisin units?
Lexus (as well as many other car makers) is losing-out on a lot of service profits by not putting transmission fluid replacement in their maintenance schedule. The reason why it is not in the maintenance schedule is because - it is not needed.
For the naysayers that may argue that Lexus would prefer to repair or replace the transmission due to not replacing the transmission fluid - you would have tens of thousands of owners complaining of transmission failures and ultimately a major class action lawsuit brought against the car maker(s).
For the owners that have fallen so head-over-heels in love with their car and truly expect to keep the car for many decades and gazillions of miles - my suggestion is to give it until 250,000 miles and if you still own the old outdated and worn-out car - replace the transmission fluid.
Agree 100% Lexus states it never needs to be changed. Will guarantee comments will follow like nothing last forever, needs to be changed, it changes color after so many miles etc. Anyone who recommends spending your hard earned money to change it ask them how many years they have working on Lexus transmission's and where did they get their training. You will get no replies. All this being said do what you feel most comfortable. Sixth Lexus and never have changed the transmission fluid and ZERO problems.
My local Lexus Service manager who has 25 years experience working on Lexus vehicles and has been trained by Lexus said it never needs to be changed. He went to Detroit where the transmissions are made for training and asked what is the #1 cause of Lexus transmission failing. Their reply was the wrong level of fluid and the wrong fluid. Both of these are factors in one changing the fluid. I will save my money and never change the fluid and listen to the experts. Asked him what lifetime meant and see said life of the car.
Some of the comments above are interesting. If I thought my car manufacturer was telling me not to change the transmission fluid so they could claim low maintenance cost or wanting to sell me a transmission down the road, I would sell my Lexus and never buy another.
Correction, Lexus USA says it never needs to be changed. Ever thought it was odd that other Lexus importer's manuals recommend tranny work?
The maintenance guide for the ES300h (which is only available in Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand) also says that periodic fluid checks and replacement are not required (pp 76).
Edit: I got two things confused. The GS300h is not in the US, but I couldn't find a maintenance guide for one. I thought I had, but it was the ES300h guide, which isn't relevant because it IS available in the US.
Agree 100% Lexus states it never needs to be changed. Will guarantee comments will follow like nothing last forever, needs to be changed, it changes color after so many miles etc. Anyone who recommends spending your hard earned money to change it ask them how many years they have working on Lexus transmission's and where did they get their training. You will get no replies. All this being said do what you feel most comfortable. Sixth Lexus and never have changed the transmission fluid and ZERO problems.
My local Lexus Service manager who has 25 years experience working on Lexus vehicles and has been trained by Lexus said it never needs to be changed. He went to Detroit where the transmissions are made for training and asked what is the #1 cause of Lexus transmission failing. Their reply was the wrong level of fluid and the wrong fluid. Both of these are factors in one changing the fluid. I will save my money and never change the fluid and listen to the experts. Asked him what lifetime meant and see said life of the car.
Some of the comments above are interesting. If I thought my car manufacturer was telling me not to change the transmission fluid so they could claim low maintenance cost or wanting to sell me a transmission down the road, I would sell my Lexus and never buy another.
The maintenance guide for the ES300h (which is only available in Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand) also says that periodic fluid checks and replacement are not required (pp 76).
I think there's a few things you should consider.
1. That manual is an American manual, look at the last couple of pages with the US mailing address.The manual also uses imperial units, used in an insignificant number of countries. I'm finding it difficult to rise above stereotypes here... US rules and guidelines do not apply to other countries. Because the ES300H is sold where I live and you have a manual for it, therefore your manual applies?
I'm not suggesting US owners follow manuals from other markets but I make the point that Lexus USA says not to service transmissions, not Lexus international /Japan - for reasons already discussed in other threads.
11-19-19, 08:55 AM
Anyone changed transmission fluid? Looking for the paper filter.
