Just wondering what should be expected of the condition of the fluid on a is250 transmission that's 10 years old with 85k miles (not km but miles) on it that has never had a transmission service? Is it normal to be dirty and black? And is minor amount of metal particles on the magnets normal at this mileage?

 

I wouldn't say dirty, just darker and NOT burnt smelling. Yes, finding a small amount of metal particles on any magnets would be normal. Excessive amounts is NOT.

 

80K to 100K is a good time to change it.I currently have 61K on my 2010 IS350, around 80K I will have it changed. I have a 2006 Camry SE 3.3L V6 with 150K plus and a 2013 Toyota Sienna with a bit over 145K, and both transmissions I changed the fluid at 100K. Both are smooth with no shifting issues, although the Camry's transmission sometimes gets a little confused (sometimes) when you are slowing down but get back on the gas suddenly, but that is more of an ECU programming issue that's been around since I bought the car