ES300h - Need for Transmission Oil Change?
 

I'm not sure if this was ever discussed before, I did a search and couldn't find any discussion on this.

Does the es300h's ECVT transmission require an oil change at all? I read my owner's manual, and did not notice the Lexus requiring a tranny oil change for any of the scheduled maintenance back at the dealer.

Also Googled it, and couldn't come up with much info. Can anyone shed me some light?

Sealed system, no oil change.

And, obviously, no checking or adding necessary either...

All good! :thumbup:

:thumbup: Sweet, good to know, I'm in good hands. :)

personally, I'll change it around 100-120k. couldn't hurt.

Bringing up an old thread, I didn't want to mix it up with the other transmission thread for the non-hybrids. So is it possible or recommended to change the eCVT fluid? Any info from Toyota techs? Apparently Prius owners do it every 60k miles and those cars have similar transmissions to ours.

Just had my 2013 ESh in for an oil change and brake fluid flush. I asked the service manager and he said it never has to be replaced. The only Lexus that has had transmission problems is the IS.

At my dealer we do trans flush on everything including seal transmission. I personally have not yet done a hybrid or CVT trans since I never recommend the service to our advisor to let customer know but have done several 2GR-FE (same engine in the ES 350, highlander, RX 350, Camry, Avalon and I'm sure I'm missing one or two)

The process is very simple as we don't touch the trans at all, but pull the feed and return line from the trans cooler located next to the radiator.

When I return to work on Monday I'll ask our master tech on recommendations on when and how to service the hybrid Avalon trans which is identical to ES 300h since the Prius most likely is a different trans.

I'm surprised Lexus won't touch the transmission because there's no way the fluid can last 100k miles, especially under harsh conditions. On the Avalon and Camry hybrids, it looks like an easy job: car goes on a lift, loosen the transmission fill and drain bolts, drain and fill accordingly with Toyota WS ATF fluid. It could even be a DIY job if you had the tools and replacement washers.

Here's a link to doing this on the previous gen Camry hybrid: http://www.greenhybrid.com/forums/f4...-change-26791/

It is not a sealed system. It has a drain and fill plug accessible under the car like a manual transmission. The days of transmission dipsticks are going away.

I asked my mechanic to flush the CVT fluid during my service appointment today.

It takes 4 quarts of Toyota ATF WS. It's less than $10 per quart and labor should be 1/2 hour. Cheap service but big returns for your CVT.

I never believed in "lifetime fluids." In fact, my oil came out dirty. This should be changed every 50-60k miles.

I find it alarming that any manufacturer would recommend using a fluid for a "lifetime", especially with the longevity that Lexus are known for. Since my 2013 has over 100,000 miles on it should I be concerned? Previous owner put 100,000 miles on the car but always had it serviced regularly at a Lexus dealership, so I'm assuming the transmission fluid has never been replaced...

I requested a transmission fluid change at 50k, and the Lexus dealership told me "not to even think about this until 100k miles." The tech says we can talk about it at that mileage. I have asked this question so many times to the 2 Lexus dealerships in town and they HIGHLY discourage me from changing the transmission fluid before 100k. I want to change it also at some point. This car needs to last me til 200k.

On the same note though, my dad drives a 2007 Lexus ES350 and has never changed the transmission fluid (also a "sealed" system). It has 168k miles on it, and still runs soooo smooth.

The definition of "lifetime" fluids is too commonly misused in the automobile service industry.

In car repair talk, "lifetime" fluid refers to the lifetime of the component, not the car. So when Lexus (or any other manufacturer for that matter) says the transmission fluid is lifetime, what they mean is that the fluid is good for the lifetime of the transmission. The lifetime ends when the transmission breaks down (whenever that may be). Lifetime fluid is very often misinterpreted as "lifetime of the car" which could probably be more than several hundred thousands miles, if kept properly or if repairs are constantly made to keep it running. Lifetime in fluids only refers to the actual component. If your transmission breaks down at 75,000 miles, then that is your lifetime for that particular component.

It's simple. Nothing lasts a lifetime, certainly not automotive fluids. I usually change mind at 60k miles.