Knucklebus

My 2013 GS 350 AWD just ticked over 70,000 miles. I'm retired and bored while I'm waiting on some machine work that is taking forever during the pandemic. I changed the front and rear diff fluid a few months ago. It was not a difficult job with a lift and I replaced it with full synthetic.

I decided to investigate my transmission temps but couldn't get it from either my Scangauge (probably too old, needs to be sent back for an update) nor from my Torque Lite app. I upgraded to the Torque Pro and none of the transmission temps worked either.

After a little digging, I ran across someone that had a couple of PIDs and I tried them both. One read something but wasn't close to ambient from the get go and the other was a constant 30, which was a non-starter. I fiddled around with some other recommendations and VIOLA! I found the correct values to read the transmission temp. I verified within 2-4° with my infrared temp gun.

Armed with that, I loosened the fill plug. ALWAYS loosen the fill plug first. If it is stuck, you will still be able to use the car. If you drain and find you cannot refill, well, that's bad.

I had a really hard time with the check plug with the 5mm Allen. It was really tight. I finally broke it loose with a 2ft cheater bar. Just kidding but it did require a 3/8" ratchet with the 5mm bit to get it loose.

The drain plug with the least of my worries. I drained it into a clean 2gallon bucket in case it got more than I expected out. The fluid was dark but nothing else was obviously wrong with it. It didn't smell differently than regular trans fluid.

I bought a 5qt Idemitsu jug of their WS equivalent. I got a little more than 3qts out of the trans. The refill was about 3.5 just to be sure I put enough in.

Using my temp gun and the Torque app, I got the trans to 120°F and pulled the check plug. About a cup came out and I close it back up.

Test drive was unremarkable in that I couldn't tell a difference. Temp of the trans topped out in the low 160°s, about 25° lower than the engine coolant.

If anyone is interested, here is the code for the 2013, maybe others, for the transmission temperature.

OBD2 PID: 2182
Long Name: User Trans Temp
Short Name: Trans Temp
Minimum Value: 0
Maximum Value: 300
Scale Factor: 1x
Unit Type: °F
Equation: ((((A*256)+B)*(7/100)-400)/10)


PID info for Torque Pro

JDR76

I monitor the transmission fluid temps in my Tundra like a hawk, particularly when towing. The Tundra transmission runs hot as they removed the transmission oil cooler back in 2019. I've been curious what the GS temps are, so thanks for posting that. How long did you drive to get up to 160?

Knucklebus

It reached 160 after about 5 minutes and I went on a 15 minute loop to see how it did in traffic and the highway.

You can add an auxiliary cooler pretty easily. It is cheap insurance for towing. I have one on my muscle car as I know it gets warm.

JDR76

I see. Now that towing season is just about over, maybe I'll move my Scan Gauge over to the GS and watch the temps, just out of curiosity.

I think I'll add a cooler to the Tundra by this spring so I don't have to watch the temps so closely. That transmission will hit 215 without even towing. I'm just trying to decide which kit to buy, and whether to install it myself or have it done for me.

robd88

I put a temp sensor in the trans pan and fluid temps can get in the low 190s in summer stop and go traffic in my GS.

For fluid temp during leveing after a fluid change, I like to use the built in PCM sensor method... jumper pins 4 & 13, etc.

Knucklebus

I don't doubt it. It was a 70° day yesterday when I did it. I will check it this winter and again this summer on a hot day to see where it is now that I have an easy to use tool.

JeffKeryk

Nice work. I had my transmission serviced almost a year ago; I was not able to do it. The shop changed the filter strainer. I brought them the strainer and the Idemitsu WS 5 qt jug.
The shop told me the fluid was worn but not burnt. The transmission felt good afterwards.
I am ready to do a 2nd service soon. Just need a little time.

Jakerin

My ‘15 has a lil over 42K. Suppose I should change it @ 50? Rear end too?

Knucklebus

You can do it anytime you feel like but I personally feel anything before 50k is wasteful. I did them after 70k.

JeffKeryk

I would. The most important ATF service is the 1st because it removes break in materials.
Not all of course, as you only remove part of the fluid.
Additionally, Aisin recomments 60K intervals, I believe.

jgscott

iTrader: (1)

Its also 6,7 or 8 years old depending on the build date of your car.

asciarra21

We just picked up a ‘19 RWD with 32K on it and I will do the trans and diff in the coming weeks.

bclexus

Well, I will NEVER be replacing the transmission fluid in my 2013 GS 350. I have sold my 2013 GS 350 and buying a 2018 GS 450h.

Lifetime ATF for me ended up being 9 years and 63k miles!

ItzFilyO

Glad to hear ur staying with the GS line.

bclexus

Yes, I really like the GS. I was able to find an almost new GS 450h with only 5k miles in my favorite color combination of Liquid Platinum with black interior.

I considered a nice 2017 GS 450h F-Sport with triple beam headlights and HUD but it had many more miles than the 2018 and the color was Atomic Silver so I passed on that one. Plus, I prefer the ride quality of 18" wheels and tires for the GS and just didn't want to deal with staggered tires again or the persnickety F-Sport brake squeal, fast pad wear and brake dust. I also didn't want to deal with the AVS adjustable struts that commonly leak and need replacing.

I'm looking forward to seeing how the hybrid and CVT does and I'm looking forward to the hybrid experience!