Can anyone refer me to a DIY for a transmission fluid change for the 4GS hybrid. Have found several for the Camry and a few for the Highlander Hybrid but really would like to know if there exist specific procedures for the transmission in a GS hybrid.

 

Here is a thread that may help.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/hyb...id-change.html

 

Unfortunately it doesn't. The thread actually does not contain a DIY for the GS (just a toyota bulletin for the RX450h) - There also are videos on youtube for the RX450h as well. Still have yet to see a decent DIY for the 4GS hybrid ecvt....

 

Just bumping up this thread to check if a member has done a transaxle fluid change on their 4GS hybrid. Would appreciate any directions or lessons learned from your experience, At 60k miles and wondering if I should take it to a dealer or transmission shop?

A couple of questions:
1. Just curious if this is a simple drain and fill when cold or does the fluid need to be a specific temperature.
2. Also drain and fill should be easier given that the car doesn't need to be "cycled" through gears because it doesn't have any

 

1. REPLACE HYBRID TRANSMISSION FLUID

(a) Lift the vehicle. [*1]

NOTICE:

Set the vehicle on a lift so that the vehicle is kept level when it is lifted up (make sure that the tilt angle from the front to rear of the vehicle is within +/-1°).

(b) Remove the front suspension member brace .

(c) Remove the No. 2 engine under cover . (d) Remove the drain plug and gasket, and drain the ATF. [*2]
(e) Temporarily install the gasket and drain plug. [*3]

HINT:

Reuse the old gasket. A new gasket will be installed in step [*10].(f) Disconnect the oil cooler hose. [*4]

NOTICE:

Do not touch any high temperature parts, such as the exhaust pipe.

HINT:

Cover the pipe that the oil cooler hose connects to with a plastic bag or tape to prevent fluid from dripping.
(g) Add fluid to the disconnected oil cooler hose until fluid comes out of the overflow tube. [*5]

NOTICE:

Use Toyota Genuine ATF WS.

HINT:

Specified amount of fluid is 5.0 liters (5.3 US qts, 4.4 Imp qts).
(h) Connect the oil cooler hose. [*6]
(i) Lower the vehicle. [*7]

(j) Turn the power switch on (READY) wait for 30 seconds. [*8]

(k) Turn the power switch off. [*9]

(l) Repeat steps [*1] to [*9].

(m) Repeat steps [*1] to [*2].

(n) Install a new gasket and the drain plug. [*10]

Torque:

20 N·m {204 kgf·cm, 15ft·lbf}

(o) Repeat steps [*4] to [*7].

(p) Check the fluid temperature .

(q) Adjust the fluid level .

(r) Install the No. 2 engine under cover .

(s) Install the front suspension member brace .

(t) Lower the vehicle.

(u) Operation complete.

 

Thanks for the really quick response. Looks like it isn't really a DIY job. I guess I am now leaning on leaving the transaxle as it is and not messing with it in any way. Probably would not even trust the dealer techs to follow this procedure exactly. I typically replace vehicles around 150k-175k miles and knowing Toyota this shouldn't be a problem at all for this transmission. Batteries (if anything) seem to be a bigger foreseeable issue than the transmission.

I do sometimes wonder about the lifetime fluid conspiracy theory though. Toyota does specify ridiculously long intervals for spark plugs and coolant changes (100k/120k miles respectively for this car) and there is far less controversy about these intervals being ridiculous but lifetime transmission fluid...boy that sparks a lot of discussion...

 

I don't know i replaced my spark plug and tranny fluid at 60k

 

A bit early but cant hurt.

GS Hybrid Manual Attached

Page 70 (left column):
"Note: Initial replacement of engine coolant is at 120 months/100,000 miles. Replace every 60 months/50,000 miles thereafter. Initial replacement of inverter coolant is at 180 months/150,000 miles.
Replace every 60 months/50,000 miles thereafter."

Page 63 (144 months or 120000miles): Spark Plugs

 

mybe hybrid is diff but rwd gs350 is 60k for spark plug. i just changed tranny n diff just for the clean fluid, i don't trust that long life sh2t

 

1998 Honda Accord, 232,505 miles, never changed transmission fluid and Honda recommends every 30k or something like that. Only had slight slip between first and second gear at 220,000 miles.

So yeah not lifetime, but easily over 200k for a normal transmission, but for a CVT that doesn't have gears like that I would not touch the transmission fluid ever.

 

the cvt is easy to change on hybrid than gas engine. its like diff fluid it just fill till it flows out.

 

Old thread I know but this is still a bit vague.

reading these instruction I’m unclear about reparations steps 1-9 after you have already changed the fluid. Are they saying do it twice as a flush ? Maybe if I do this I will take some pics to help out the next guy.