yes. that "style" you need to check the level @ a certain temperature though and obviously make sure the car is completely level. the temperature procedure can be found in a couple different threads involving the OBDII.

 

I understood that there is a drain plug, overflow plug, AND a fill plug (hidden behind a cover that can be removed by 2 bolts).

Here is a reference to GX470 https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...65k-miles.html
I know our transmission is different but I thought we have the same kind of transmission.

A761E transmission below. (Reference link)

 

Ok let me get this right.

Fig 1 is the cover for the fill plug
Fig 2 is the drain plug
Fig 3 is the fill plug
where is the overflow plug?

 

Overflow plug is Fig 2 on right (without arrow)
If you are going to open the overflow plug then you don't need to get to the filler plug. You can just use the overflow plug to add ATF. If you do this then the vehicle must be on level.

Filler plug is useful only if if you want to just measure drained ATF and add equal amount. If you get the car on ramps then it is not going to be on level and you can't use the overflow plug.

 

This thread was for the 3rd gen LS, not the 4th with the sealed transmission.. Anyway....

I just did the drain/fill on my 02 with some helpful suggestions from Toyo and it was so easy. Simply put the car up(ramps for me) and pull the plug on the tranny pan.. It gave me 3 quarts exactly. Then put the plug back in and replace the 3 quarts through the tranny dipstick.. Takes like 15 minutes once you get access to the underside of the car. I've read that they recommend you replace the bolt and washer from time to time.. I didn't do that because it seals very well... Maybe later.

Without this forum I'd be scared and BROKE...
Thanks Toyo..

EDIT: I have to add.. I have only replaced 3 quarts(Toyota T-IV) so far and the car already shifts MUCH SMOOTHER. I will do another 3 quarts in a hundred or 200 miles, and repeat that 3 or 4 times.. then follow the advice of doing it from then on out every 15K. My tranny oil was BLACK and watery.. Car has 150K.

 

Sorry for the 04 - 06 guys busting out strong. It's a time thing. Tech said mine looked good. My first was at 105k and the second at 112k. I'll do it one more time in another 8k or so. Only about 2 quarts come out on a drain and refill. We also have a totally different fluid. Type IV Toyota is not compatible with World Standard. Type IV is not synthetic either.

 

Did you use WS ATF?

 

Interesting, this sounds pretty easy over all. Pull plug, measure what comes out, replace via the dipstick with the same amount. Does not sound very difficult at all.

Is the plug just a pop out, or is it a screw ? is it hard to get out ?

Riddle me this....My car has 174K on it...never been done,still pretty smooth over all but, not as silky smooth as it was when it was 100K less....

Will this help or is this one of those things, "if it ain't broken don't fix it" ?

Truth be told if this will make my car shift smoother, I would be willing to give it a shot...

 

For those that do not have the WS tranny, this partial drain and refill routine has been in practice by the 1-2 LS guys with success. Key is replace what comes out precisely.

 

Yes, the dealer used WS fluid. My dealer only charges $99 for a drain and refill.

 

Wow, my local Toyota dealer quoted $200 for the drain and fill method, Lexus is a 2 hour drive away. He said one hour labor rate and 3 quarts of fluid at $15 per. I have no issues with my tranny but a few of these threads have been making me think that with 175k miles I might want to think about a fluid replacement on my 05.

 

David,
I recommend you set aside an hour this weekend to go buy the tranny fluid from carquest(where I bought) or whomever has the lexus tranny fluid and swap 3 quarts out. The swap is as fast as an oil change. Make sure you have a funnel with a small spout and don't put the tranny fluid in the oil crank case on accident! hahaha

Yes, you should do this now at 174K.. Replace another 3 quarts in about 500 - 1000 miles, then 1000 miles later, then every 10-15K.

I wouldn't worry about the tranny filter unless you're super **** and ok with breaking the seal on the pan, which I'm not.

**EDIT: plug is removed exactly like an oil change. Clean any shavings from the plug as it's magnetized. You will likely have little to no shavings.

 

I would start the process as you have a lot of miles on the original fluid. $200 is steep though. Maybe check with independent shops that have good ratings. Try searching on yelp.com

 

Forgot to mention when you perform this simple task(you could even tell an able bodied person what to do) you should catch the oil in a container that you'v already marked with 1 quart lines all the way up to 3 or 4 quarts. Mine always stops exactly at 3 though during the drain.
These quarts are $6 a piece.. My total cost for a 20 min drain fill is $18...

 

Yep, I'll never pay to have this done again.