Hi Everyone,

My Lexus IS350 F-Sport is now at 53,000km. I am looking at getting my transmission serviced. Lexus dealership recommend full transmission flush. I have read and spoken to a number of mechanics they said it's not recommended to flush the transmission for the risk of transmission slippage after a full transmission flush. Most people recommend transmission oil change with the method of drain and refill only.

What does everyone recommend? Any experience with this?

 

i had mine flushed about a year ago by my local lexus dealer and i haven't had any problems. i did it as part of preventative maintenance as no fluid lasts for a 'lifetime' and i plan on keeping the car for a while longer.

 

I did a $300 dealer flush last week at 70k kms - smooth as butter.

 

Was it not as smooth as butter before that?

 

Certainly was. But I'm planning to keep this forever, so 70k was long enough on the original fluid for my 2014 8spd

 

Did you had the transmission oil filter replaced? Would any recommend transmission oil filter replacement?

 

I didn’t replace the filter. I didn’t know there was one.

 

I have spoken to the Transmission specialist. They recommended drain / fill approach and replace the transmission oil filter. Like this one https://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-OEM...-/233147237356

 

The part above is referred to as a strainer, not a filter. Unfortunately the pic is of the side that bolts to the tranny, and not the side that you can see the strainer screen...the opposite side.
I'm afraid your transmission specialist is not that familiar with Toyota products...tranny filters are typically found on domestic vehicles, and do get replaced with fluid service.
And i realize at this point it may seem like semantics between using the word filter and strainer...but it isn't.
A filter traps particulates that will get discarded when you replace the filter.
A strainer only stops the particulates from re-entering the transmission, but it does not trap them. It allows them to fall back into the transmission pan, to be discarded when you change the fluid.
So...to remove the pan to change the strainer won't serve any real benefit. Sure, you can get a little more fluid out (maybe 100ml or so), and clean the magnets in the pan if you like, but replacing the strainer is just throwing away money.
Additionally the strainer screen is stainless steel...so basically it never degrades as it's always submerged in oil.
If you look through any Toyota/Lexus/Scion service manual, going back to the 90's (maybe even further), you will never see a service recommendation for changing a transmission "filter", cause it doesn't exist.

 

Someone provided the factory procedure for changing the transmission fluid a while ago on here, was it you by any chance?

 

Lol...that sounds like something I would do...but just in case, here it is.
This will cover all 3IS...review the replacement procedure first, then the adjustment one.

 

Seems like transmission fluid replacement discussion will continue on through many threads.
Dealers will not recommend replacement of transmission fluid as some as said. This is stated in TSB: L-SB-0001-11
From the TSB, replacement of fluid will only be done if transaxle is in repair.
With this said, I will continue to ask my dealer for a fluid replacement since "lifetime" has not clearly been defined in any documentation I have seen.

 

Thanks a lot

 

Reviving this thread.

Local Lexus dealer offered doing a drain and refill (drains 2-3 qt) ($200) or transmission flush (12 qt) $355 with BG Servicing Kit.

I know most members have done a drain and refill. I am thinking of doing the flush.

Any pros and cons? I don't have any issues with the car shifting (86k miles) but don't believe in this "lifetime" fluid they try to sell us on.

 

I did a drain/fill after buying my 2016, 6 months ago. Dealer charged me $160 total. I could notice a significant difference before/after. I stay away from flushes in general for a number of reasons-just personal opinion.