Transmission Oil ? Dealer or not
04-30-18, 09:38 PM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Transmission Oil ? Dealer or not
Hello,
I heard transmission fluid change require some dealer tool is this true ? Can it be done by an independent mechanic ?
I heard transmission fluid change require some dealer tool is this true ? Can it be done by an independent mechanic ?
04-30-18, 11:20 PM
#2
You will receive mixed responses regarding this topic. Some dealers may have the necessary equipment, others may not. Certainly, this can be done by an independent mechanic, but only if they have the needed training and said equipment. Only real way to find out is to ask the dealers in question. Same goes for the independent mechanics.
Also, people will say you don’t need to do a transmission oil change on our vehicles, whereas others will say you should. You’ll have to pick which camp you belong to, but I for one don’t believe anything lasts forever.
Also, people will say you don’t need to do a transmission oil change on our vehicles, whereas others will say you should. You’ll have to pick which camp you belong to, but I for one don’t believe anything lasts forever.
05-01-18, 08:51 AM
#3
Lexus Test Driver
The Lexus 6 speed autos have a drain plug on the pan and fill plug on the side. Seems the 8 speeds would too. If then, anyone can do it. How else would factory workers get fluid inside them.
However if done at the coolers, i imagine they'd need a simple tool to disconnect the lines which usually (at least with BMW cars) depress some plastic tabs before the line releases. In other words, any indy mechanic should be able to.
Unless there's something i'm totally unfamiliar with as far as this particular car goes.
But I would still recommend getting the fluid changed if you plan on keeping any car. There's a reason why the factory (whether it's toyota or their supplier) doesn't fill transmissions with used oil =p
Sorry I can't be of particular help on our 8 speeds (assuming youve got one), it's sort of a new car and i haven't seen much on it. Maybe someone has access to factory manual.
However if done at the coolers, i imagine they'd need a simple tool to disconnect the lines which usually (at least with BMW cars) depress some plastic tabs before the line releases. In other words, any indy mechanic should be able to.
Unless there's something i'm totally unfamiliar with as far as this particular car goes.
But I would still recommend getting the fluid changed if you plan on keeping any car. There's a reason why the factory (whether it's toyota or their supplier) doesn't fill transmissions with used oil =p
Sorry I can't be of particular help on our 8 speeds (assuming youve got one), it's sort of a new car and i haven't seen much on it. Maybe someone has access to factory manual.
05-01-18, 12:50 PM
#4
Pole Position
My understanding is that most of Lexus’ new cars have “sealed” transmissions in other words in order to change the fluid most people recommend the dealership because they do the flush and fill 3x to try to get most of the old fluid out. I’ve heard some people say that dislodges deposits and gets it in the gears and causes transmission issues and some say it’s fine. Honestly I think I’d prefer to get someone to actually open the transmission and get it drained and cleaned then filled with new fluid but that would be MUCH more pricey. I’m new to Lexus but on my Infiniti (also has a sealed transmission) did the 3x flush and fill at the dealership and my transmission on that car is a little off now, nothing major but yeah idk.
05-01-18, 02:41 PM
#5
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
My understanding is that most of Lexus’ new cars have “sealed” transmissions in other words in order to change the fluid most people recommend the dealership because they do the flush and fill 3x to try to get most of the old fluid out. I’ve heard some people say that dislodges deposits and gets it in the gears and causes transmission issues and some say it’s fine. Honestly I think I’d prefer to get someone to actually open the transmission and get it drained and cleaned then filled with new fluid but that would be MUCH more pricey. I’m new to Lexus but on my Infiniti (also has a sealed transmission) did the 3x flush and fill at the dealership and my transmission on that car is a little off now, nothing major but yeah idk.
i heard flushiing is bad for the engine. should this be drain and fill ?
05-01-18, 02:48 PM
#6
Pole Position
You mean bad for the transmission? Yeah that’s what I was getting at, that when they flush and fill it 3x they are moving all the crap around. That’s why I think it would be better to get it actually drained then filled, but to do that with a sealed transmission it is supposedly not doable unless you actually open the transmission up.
05-01-18, 04:25 PM
#7
Lexus Test Driver
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Just some overall comments on what has been posted.
Flushing the transmission isn't a bad thing, if done on a regular basis. If you flush the fluid every couple years consistently, then there should be no issue. If you wait 10 years and then flush it, likely something will go wrong after.
The tools the dealers need to perform the transmission drain/fill service are provided to them by Toyota/Lexus. I can't speak for the US dealers, but the Canadian dealers are given ALL Special Service Tools required in the repair manuals, whether they want it or not. So them saying they don't have the tools to complete a job is not an option. They might have broken or lost the tool, but that's a different story.
Flushing is typically done with a 3rd party machine sold by a local vendor, so that would be up to the individual dealers to acquire.
The transmission will have 3 plugs...Drain Plug...Fill Plug...and Overflow Plug. The first two are self-explanatory, and the last is used to set the fluid level with the transmission at a specific temperature range.
Monitoring the temp is possible manually, but so easily done with the Techstream tool.
Lastly, depending where you live on the planet, the Owners Manual will always say the fluid doesn't need to be change because the transmission is sealed. However, if you live in a region where there are severe temperature swings (-30C to +30C), then you will receive a Supplemental Manual that indicates time/mileage milestones to change certain fluids (coolant, trans, diff., etc.).
So there is no wrong or right answer when it comes to changing the fluid, just depends on where you are operating the vehicle.
Flushing the transmission isn't a bad thing, if done on a regular basis. If you flush the fluid every couple years consistently, then there should be no issue. If you wait 10 years and then flush it, likely something will go wrong after.
The tools the dealers need to perform the transmission drain/fill service are provided to them by Toyota/Lexus. I can't speak for the US dealers, but the Canadian dealers are given ALL Special Service Tools required in the repair manuals, whether they want it or not. So them saying they don't have the tools to complete a job is not an option. They might have broken or lost the tool, but that's a different story.
Flushing is typically done with a 3rd party machine sold by a local vendor, so that would be up to the individual dealers to acquire.
The transmission will have 3 plugs...Drain Plug...Fill Plug...and Overflow Plug. The first two are self-explanatory, and the last is used to set the fluid level with the transmission at a specific temperature range.
Monitoring the temp is possible manually, but so easily done with the Techstream tool.
Lastly, depending where you live on the planet, the Owners Manual will always say the fluid doesn't need to be change because the transmission is sealed. However, if you live in a region where there are severe temperature swings (-30C to +30C), then you will receive a Supplemental Manual that indicates time/mileage milestones to change certain fluids (coolant, trans, diff., etc.).
So there is no wrong or right answer when it comes to changing the fluid, just depends on where you are operating the vehicle.
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06-26-18, 10:14 AM
#9
Lexus Test Driver
All "flushing" does is give the transmission new fluid as the old fluid is being evacuated so you have 100% fluid replacement. There's nothing "bad" about it. In fact, it is preferred. Imagine being able to push a magic button and all old fluid is replaced with new fluid. That's all "flushing" is except it's more involved.
I always tell people replace all fluids, at all times, in all cars, always. No exceptions. New stuff is good. Old stuff is bad.
I always tell people replace all fluids, at all times, in all cars, always. No exceptions. New stuff is good. Old stuff is bad.
06-27-18, 12:10 PM
#10
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2015 RC F with 24,000km (15,000 miles) DD. I am not hear to argue about the science or Lexus "sealed" transmissions. This weekend I was bored and dropped my rear diff fluid, and refilled with almost 2L (1900ml) Full Synthetic 75/90. Took like 10 minutes. They longest time was to lift it in the air to be able to get under it and have the car level. I did this with lifting each corner with my floor jack and then putting a Rino Ramp under each wheel.
Since I had my car in the air level, I decided for fun to drop the transmission fluid out of the pan. The refill plug is on the driver's side 24mm bolt. I went to Lexus and bought 3 one liter jugs of Toyota WS ATF fluid, as I rather pay a little more and not risk warranty as I have an extended warranty until 2023.
I should mention, due to the location of the rear diff and transmission fill hole, you definitely need a hand operated pump to get the fluids back in.
The magnetic plug in the rear diff had a decent build up of metal filings and was fairly dirty. The trans was not bad, slightly dark and maybe didn't need it but that's OK. I will do it again in a week or 2 with another 3 Liters, now that I know how easy it is to do..
Since I had my car in the air level, I decided for fun to drop the transmission fluid out of the pan. The refill plug is on the driver's side 24mm bolt. I went to Lexus and bought 3 one liter jugs of Toyota WS ATF fluid, as I rather pay a little more and not risk warranty as I have an extended warranty until 2023.
I should mention, due to the location of the rear diff and transmission fill hole, you definitely need a hand operated pump to get the fluids back in.
The magnetic plug in the rear diff had a decent build up of metal filings and was fairly dirty. The trans was not bad, slightly dark and maybe didn't need it but that's OK. I will do it again in a week or 2 with another 3 Liters, now that I know how easy it is to do..
Not being familiar with the tranny in the RC F, I assume it is also sealed and does not have a dipstick, so to set it you would need a Techstream or use the manual procedure with the dash indicator.
A straight exchange of fluid amounts is not accurate...at least not after the dipstick became obsolete.
I wish they had dipsticks still...good grief!
06-27-18, 12:33 PM
#12
Lexus Test Driver
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Vehicle and fluid at room temperature in my garage. Drop oil into clean oil pan, then measure this, and replace exactly the same amount. You can find DYI where they use the "check level" plug, but that involves temperature measuring, and a bit more work. I just dropped 3L and put 3 L back in...
06-27-18, 07:42 PM
#13
Pole Position
2015 RC F with 24,000km (15,000 miles) DD. I am not hear to argue about the science or Lexus "sealed" transmissions. This weekend I was bored and dropped my rear diff fluid, and refilled with almost 2L (1900ml) Full Synthetic 75/90. Took like 10 minutes. They longest time was to lift it in the air to be able to get under it and have the car level. I did this with lifting each corner with my floor jack and then putting a Rino Ramp under each wheel.
Since I had my car in the air level, I decided for fun to drop the transmission fluid out of the pan. The refill plug is on the driver's side 24mm bolt. I went to Lexus and bought 3 one liter jugs of Toyota WS ATF fluid, as I rather pay a little more and not risk warranty as I have an extended warranty until 2023.
I should mention, due to the location of the rear diff and transmission fill hole, you definitely need a hand operated pump to get the fluids back in.
The magnetic plug in the rear diff had a decent build up of metal filings and was fairly dirty. The trans was not bad, slightly dark and maybe didn't need it but that's OK. I will do it again in a week or 2 with another 3 Liters, now that I know how easy it is to do..
Since I had my car in the air level, I decided for fun to drop the transmission fluid out of the pan. The refill plug is on the driver's side 24mm bolt. I went to Lexus and bought 3 one liter jugs of Toyota WS ATF fluid, as I rather pay a little more and not risk warranty as I have an extended warranty until 2023.
I should mention, due to the location of the rear diff and transmission fill hole, you definitely need a hand operated pump to get the fluids back in.
The magnetic plug in the rear diff had a decent build up of metal filings and was fairly dirty. The trans was not bad, slightly dark and maybe didn't need it but that's OK. I will do it again in a week or 2 with another 3 Liters, now that I know how easy it is to do..
I may try this myself....my dealer service dept are scammers....charged me like $18 for some ATF "fluid conditioner" and didn't even tell me or explain it when cashing me out.
