Mother of all changing ATF in tranny threads - Level set instructions link in post #1
#136
Instructor
iTrader: (3)
Well on all of my cars manuals and autos I have never gone 100k before a fluid change, it shouldnt hurt. The only car I've ever had without a fluid change bmw 328 and well that had been long gone before it ever even hit 50k.
And almost always by changing the fluid you notice the shift quality improved right away, hopefully I get that same feeling once the fluid is change with this car.
And almost always by changing the fluid you notice the shift quality improved right away, hopefully I get that same feeling once the fluid is change with this car.
#137
Intermediate
iTrader: (1)
I don't mind, I am here to give and receive throughout the forums, I was quoted $480 including all the fluids. $400 would've been the sweet spot, however I didn't feel like haggling him down as Eric seemed like the only one that knew the procedure and the car. I felt like he knew his stuff and the work involved, etc. Figure, you go to an independent shop that does not have the right tools and/or knowledge to replace fluid and check the levels and pay $200 or so, and in my opinion I think it's better route to not cheap out and go to the Dealer, someone who knows what they are talking about and have the necessary protocols for the job.
At $400 including the fluids, I wouldve took it in a heartbeat.
At $400 including the fluids, I wouldve took it in a heartbeat.
You will not find any dealer that will charge $200 or under for this type of procedures. For that price you're likely looking at just the level check and a top off of the fluid.
Happy to report that after driving 25 miles in stop and go traffic the flare seems to have vastly improved. Throttle response has also improved as a result. Down shift response in manual + sport seems to have also improved, although this all might be a placebo effect. There still seems to be rev hang from 7-8 at greater than 80 mph though. Will continue driving in stop and go traffic in normal + sport mode for the rest of the week to see if any flare continues to occur.
Last edited by kzlflash; 01-19-16 at 10:40 AM.
#139
Intermediate
iTrader: (1)
I'd say the feeling is vastly improved. It's just that there is still a rev hang from 7th to 8th in manual mode. I hardly use those gears either way. Based on my commute today, when the car felt like it was about to go into flare mode, it would instead catch into gear whereas before it would flare up.
#140
Instructor
iTrader: (3)
Hey KZ I just got my car back to today and it's not a placebo effect. I definitely feel the difference in shift quality. Immediately I noticed the shifting is much more smoother, before you could tell during gear changes, now its just goes to next gear and you cant notice it shifted (most of the time). Also, the car wants to jump forward more easily now whereas before in d you had to gas it more. Maybe it's in my head or maybe it was from driving the ct loaner for 2 days. Drove 60+ miles to Lexus Riverside and they did an awesome job! I dont regret it one bit, well worth the money. Also I got charged $10 more for the washers which was fine and they used 12 quarts of WS fluid. Not sure if it was checking the level that did it or having new fluid in there, but great recommendation man. So for those 60 miles I was going easy, no flares so far but only time I experience flare is downhill wot. And it will shift on its own just takes a bit.
For anyone that wants to really change out the fluid for almost 100% give Eric a call at Lexus Riverside (he knows his stuff for sure, especially the F), also the technician's name is Mark. He does great work, and no I am not affiliated with him. KZ brought this to the table and Im glad he did.
The last few miles of my trip home, I was satisfied the whole way in D mode so I put the sport mode on manual the last few miles of my trip just to try it out, the gears shift faster No Lie! So whoever said this is lifetime fluid is lying,maybe the life of the owner, Im the 2nd owner so I decided to move forward with the work. I've changed ws fluid in newer camrys and a lot of other cars and have always had great results and it didnt change with this car.
For anyone that wants to really change out the fluid for almost 100% give Eric a call at Lexus Riverside (he knows his stuff for sure, especially the F), also the technician's name is Mark. He does great work, and no I am not affiliated with him. KZ brought this to the table and Im glad he did.
The last few miles of my trip home, I was satisfied the whole way in D mode so I put the sport mode on manual the last few miles of my trip just to try it out, the gears shift faster No Lie! So whoever said this is lifetime fluid is lying,maybe the life of the owner, Im the 2nd owner so I decided to move forward with the work. I've changed ws fluid in newer camrys and a lot of other cars and have always had great results and it didnt change with this car.
Last edited by k20trick; 01-21-16 at 06:43 PM.
#141
Pole Position
^^^^^^^Good to know thanks! I'll probably be doing that soon because my mileage is about 63k and have been noticing some shift flare and hanging up the last couple months.
#142
Instructor
iTrader: (1)
Hey KZ I just got my car back to today and it's not a placebo effect. I definitely feel the difference in shift quality. Immediately I noticed the shifting is much more smoother, before you could tell during gear changes, now its just goes to next gear and you cant notice it shifted (most of the time). Also, the car wants to jump forward more easily now whereas before in d you had to gas it more. Maybe it's in my head or maybe it was from driving the ct loaner for 2 days. Drove 60+ miles to Lexus Riverside and they did an awesome job! I dont regret it one bit, well worth the money. Also I got charged $10 more for the washers which was fine and they used 12 quarts of WS fluid. Not sure if it was checking the level that did it or having new fluid in there, but great recommendation man. So for those 60 miles I was going easy, no flares so far but only time I experience flare is downhill wot. And it will shift on its own just takes a bit.
For anyone that wants to really change out the fluid for almost 100% give Eric a call at Lexus Riverside (he knows his stuff for sure, especially the F), also the technician's name is Mark. He does great work, and no I am not affiliated with him. KZ brought this to the table and Im glad he did.
The last few miles of my trip home, I was satisfied the whole way in D mode so I put the sport mode on manual the last few miles of my trip just to try it out, the gears shift faster No Lie! So whoever said this is lifetime fluid is lying,maybe the life of the owner, Im the 2nd owner so I decided to move forward with the work. I've changed ws fluid in newer camrys and a lot of other cars and have always had great results and it didnt change with this car.
For anyone that wants to really change out the fluid for almost 100% give Eric a call at Lexus Riverside (he knows his stuff for sure, especially the F), also the technician's name is Mark. He does great work, and no I am not affiliated with him. KZ brought this to the table and Im glad he did.
The last few miles of my trip home, I was satisfied the whole way in D mode so I put the sport mode on manual the last few miles of my trip just to try it out, the gears shift faster No Lie! So whoever said this is lifetime fluid is lying,maybe the life of the owner, Im the 2nd owner so I decided to move forward with the work. I've changed ws fluid in newer camrys and a lot of other cars and have always had great results and it didnt change with this car.
It is a lifetime fluid. You just have to make sure you have the correct amount of it.
#144
Tech Info Resource
iTrader: (2)
Couldn't all of these improvements be due to the transmission now having the correct fluid level? Didn't Lance have a similar experience to yours just by simply adjusting to the correct levels? You even mentioned that this might be the reason for the improvement in your post but then you say "So whoever said this is lifetime fluid is lying."
It is a lifetime fluid. You just have to make sure you have the correct amount of it.
It is a lifetime fluid. You just have to make sure you have the correct amount of it.
Adjusting the level fixed all of this.
#145
Lexus Fanatic
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Yes. This gearbox is very sensitive to level and even a few ounces low will make it act up. It will flare, it will stick in gear, and it will completely fail to shift under certain circumstances - usually when you are going down a significant grade or cornering closer to the traction limits.
Adjusting the level fixed all of this.
Adjusting the level fixed all of this.
So what's your take on a few ounces OVER ??
Joe Z
#148
Tech Info Resource
iTrader: (2)
I've done five track weekends in my car. Fluid is still good according to Blackstone.
#149
I did a drain and fill over the weekend. From what I have read around it seems drain and fill would be anywhere between 3.5 quarts to 4 quarts. I put in ~3.8qt...maybe less since I spilled quiet a bit. I didn't have time to do the level check, but I have noticed no problems so far. I drove 200+ miles and took the car to Autox. My shift flare is gone when cornering hard and it shifts smoother as well.
I will do the proper level check this weekend and see how much over/under I am.
I will do the proper level check this weekend and see how much over/under I am.