ATF WS Change Interval?
04-30-18, 12:26 PM
#46
Intermediate
A couple of days ago, I happened to be catch a ride with someone who previously had a 3rd gen RX450h but had just bought a brand spanking new (Australian market) 4th gen RX450h. When I looked through his service booklet, the additional maintenance section also specifies replacing the fluid at 75,000 kms.
So at least it's consistent with the 4th Gen as well.
So at least it's consistent with the 4th Gen as well.
06-05-18, 12:12 PM
#48
Pole Position
OK, I've now found some concrete answers, after I ventured into the "Warranty and Service Book" specific for the RX450h.
According to Lexus, the ATF needs to be replaced at the 5 year, 75,000 km mark if the vehicle was used in "severe conditions", which are described as follows:
Operating in rough, muddy or snow melted roads.
Operating on dusty roads.
Towing a trailer, camper or using a car top carrier.
Repeated short trips less than 8 kms and outside temperature remains below freezing.
Extensive idling and or low speed driving for long distance.
Continuous high speed driving (80% or more of maximum vehicle speed) for over 2 hours.
According to Lexus, the ATF needs to be replaced at the 5 year, 75,000 km mark if the vehicle was used in "severe conditions", which are described as follows:
Operating in rough, muddy or snow melted roads.
Operating on dusty roads.
Towing a trailer, camper or using a car top carrier.
Repeated short trips less than 8 kms and outside temperature remains below freezing.
Extensive idling and or low speed driving for long distance.
Continuous high speed driving (80% or more of maximum vehicle speed) for over 2 hours.
06-09-18, 04:13 PM
#49
Intermediate
I think its a "to each their own" scenario here. Those who are comfortable with following Lexus advise don't need to anything. Simple! The ATF is there for splash lubrication only anyway. It goes black from being over heated from certain driving conditiions, but I suspect the planetary gear seat won't mind burnt oil so much as a conventional automatic gearbox (e.g. RX350) which needs the protection of the fluid for the multiple clutch packs. And anyway, many of you may not even be stressing the oil to the point where it gets burnt, so the fluid can be kept in service for an extremely long period of time, way past warranty period, so Lexus is off the hook for any warranty claims.
Those of you RX450 owners who want to change the fluid, by all means get it done, but change it at your own risk. Replacing fluid has a risk of introducing contaminants into the hybrid transaxle. Trying to do good can end up in something bad happening, which is probably Lexus' thinking.
The perogative to change or not to change the fluid is entirely up to each owner. After all, it's your car, maintain it however way you see fit.
Those of you RX450 owners who want to change the fluid, by all means get it done, but change it at your own risk. Replacing fluid has a risk of introducing contaminants into the hybrid transaxle. Trying to do good can end up in something bad happening, which is probably Lexus' thinking.
The perogative to change or not to change the fluid is entirely up to each owner. After all, it's your car, maintain it however way you see fit.
Last edited by tempestv8; 06-09-18 at 09:46 PM.
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