Lexus dealer tranny fluid change: not flush, but more than a drain and fill...
#1
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
Lexus dealer tranny fluid change: not flush, but more than a drain and fill...
So I'm back in Knoxville and finally want to get my transmission serviced.
(Side note: I drove straight through from West Hollywood to East TN, mostly going 90+, well over 100 for many stretches on end. I made a 31 hour drive in 26. Car performed flawlessly. I knew I'd have no problems, but these cars are just rock solid, even when old.)
I talked to my trusty service advisor about a fluid change, and he told me about their service. I trust this guy and he and the Lexus dealer have always done right by me, even if it is overpriced. They know me down there.
It's $274.00+tax for a fluid swap. He said bc it's a sealed unit they have to "pressurize it" and make sure the "WS Fluid isn't exposed to dust, etc. in the air." They have a machine they use where both ends are connected, where one sort of "presses" the fluid in while the bottom one "pulls" the old fluid out. He reiterated, several times, that this IS NOT A FLUSH. Lexus of Knoxville won't flush sealed units, for the reasons we all know and have discussed.. Although, he says this will completely swap all of my fluid out bc of this machine. Never really heard of this procedure. But, it's nice to know I won't have to do any more drains and fills.
Anyone had this done? I figured it was just the full flush or the drain and fill (where you have to do it several times before you completely swap the fluid out). Looking forward to getting this done in the near future. Transmission still shifts flawlessly, but I can tell she needs some fresh fluid. The car is nearly 12 years old with 116k, that's some old fluid.
(Side note: I drove straight through from West Hollywood to East TN, mostly going 90+, well over 100 for many stretches on end. I made a 31 hour drive in 26. Car performed flawlessly. I knew I'd have no problems, but these cars are just rock solid, even when old.)
I talked to my trusty service advisor about a fluid change, and he told me about their service. I trust this guy and he and the Lexus dealer have always done right by me, even if it is overpriced. They know me down there.
It's $274.00+tax for a fluid swap. He said bc it's a sealed unit they have to "pressurize it" and make sure the "WS Fluid isn't exposed to dust, etc. in the air." They have a machine they use where both ends are connected, where one sort of "presses" the fluid in while the bottom one "pulls" the old fluid out. He reiterated, several times, that this IS NOT A FLUSH. Lexus of Knoxville won't flush sealed units, for the reasons we all know and have discussed.. Although, he says this will completely swap all of my fluid out bc of this machine. Never really heard of this procedure. But, it's nice to know I won't have to do any more drains and fills.
Anyone had this done? I figured it was just the full flush or the drain and fill (where you have to do it several times before you completely swap the fluid out). Looking forward to getting this done in the near future. Transmission still shifts flawlessly, but I can tell she needs some fresh fluid. The car is nearly 12 years old with 116k, that's some old fluid.
Last edited by AJT123; 11-17-15 at 07:02 PM.
#3
Originally Posted by AJT123;9256931... Transmission still shifts flawlessly,[B
but I can tell she needs some fresh fluid[/B]. The car is nearly 12 years old with 116k, that's some old fluid.
FYI, I just changed mine out (a 2003 with 94K) and the fluid was hardly recognizable as transmission fluid but it still shifted perfectly and I couldn't tell any difference with the fresh fluid in. I did the 'poor-mans flush' (pull the high pressure line off the radiator and let the trans pump it's fluid out). Changed 8 quarts that way.
#5
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
It is a flush just maybe not a "power flush" machine. Drain and refill has been the tried and true method and what I will stick with. It is also what is outlined in the service manual. There are reason why Aisin engineers believe it's not good to replace all off the transmission fluid at once. I still say this idea of changing transmission fluid like changing the oil is folly.
Last edited by Lavrishevo; 11-18-15 at 06:24 AM.
#6
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
It is a flush just maybe not a "power flush" machine. Your either drain and refill slowly over time or remove all the fluid via a flushing machine. Drain and refill has been the tried and true method and what I will stick with. It is also what is outlined in the service manual. There are reason why engineers believe it's not good to replace all off the transmission fluid at once. I still say this idea of changing transmission fluid like changing the oil is folly.
He was specific, more than once, in saying that it was not a flush, for reasons of "dislodging bits and pieces".....yadda yadda, basically he sounded like us on here. Basically repeated what we've said as the reasons for not doing full flushes. I was quite impressed with his knowledge, as he said he spoke to the master tech about it. They remember me from before I moved away as "the guy who said he'd drive the LS430 until he could be buried in it", lol.
#7
My guess is that it was a BG fluid exchange. The Lexus dealer performed this service on my LS400. The dealer uses the BG machine and additives. You can find information on the BG website.
You have to make sure they use the appropriate Toyota fluid. Some Lexus dealers use Valvoline or other companies equivalents. You have to specify. Mine was originally done with a Valvoline equivalent and did not shift properly afterwards. When I looked at the invoice and saw Dextron II rather than T-4, I went back and nicely pointed it out to the senior tech. After much discussion, they drained the Dextron II and put in T-4. The transmission shifted perfectly. Surprising that the dealer would not use an equivalent but true.
You have to make sure they use the appropriate Toyota fluid. Some Lexus dealers use Valvoline or other companies equivalents. You have to specify. Mine was originally done with a Valvoline equivalent and did not shift properly afterwards. When I looked at the invoice and saw Dextron II rather than T-4, I went back and nicely pointed it out to the senior tech. After much discussion, they drained the Dextron II and put in T-4. The transmission shifted perfectly. Surprising that the dealer would not use an equivalent but true.
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#8
Racer
iTrader: (3)
I recently took my LS430 to my local Toyota dealer because they have done a transmission fluid exchange on my 2007 4Runner which also had a sealed transmission. I told them I wanted an exchange and I also supplied 12-14qts of Amsoil WS Fluid. 2 hours later I got my car back. Later that night when I got home I smelt burning transmission fluid. I figured maybe some got somewhere and was just burning off. Next morning I pulled out of the garage and saw a small puddle of transmission fluid on my floor. I looked in my trunk to see how much transmission fluid was left from what I supplied. They only used 4qts!! I was pissed. I took it back to the dealer and said it was leaking and that they must have only done a drain and fill and not an exchange. Later that day they told me the fill plug was loose and that the transmission only hold 3 qts. Ridiculous. According to the service manual it has a capacity of over 7qts. I told them this and he went to the service manager. Manager said the fluid in the torque converter doesn't get changed out with an exchange. IDIOTS! It all gets exchanged with an exchange. I wasted $115 for something I did't ask for. I was hoping to get a call from the dealer asking about my experience but for some reason never got a call...
#9
Driver School Candidate
It is a flush just maybe not a "power flush" machine. Drain and refill has been the tried and true method and what I will stick with. It is also what is outlined in the service manual. There are reason why Aisin engineers believe it's not good to replace all off the transmission fluid at once. I still say this idea of changing transmission fluid like changing the oil is folly.
Side Note: I notice you say you have family in Newnan, GA. I also work there and noticed a silver LS 430 going that way coming from the Palmetto exit this week. Just was thinking what were the chances it was Lav from CL
#11
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
I recently took my LS430 to my local Toyota dealer because they have done a transmission fluid exchange on my 2007 4Runner which also had a sealed transmission. I told them I wanted an exchange and I also supplied 12-14qts of Amsoil WS Fluid. 2 hours later I got my car back. Later that night when I got home I smelt burning transmission fluid. I figured maybe some got somewhere and was just burning off. Next morning I pulled out of the garage and saw a small puddle of transmission fluid on my floor. I looked in my trunk to see how much transmission fluid was left from what I supplied. They only used 4qts!! I was pissed. I took it back to the dealer and said it was leaking and that they must have only done a drain and fill and not an exchange. Later that day they told me the fill plug was loose and that the transmission only hold 3 qts. Ridiculous. According to the service manual it has a capacity of over 7qts. I told them this and he went to the service manager. Manager said the fluid in the torque converter doesn't get changed out with an exchange. IDIOTS! It all gets exchanged with an exchange. I wasted $115 for something I did't ask for. I was hoping to get a call from the dealer asking about my experience but for some reason never got a call...
Last edited by Lavrishevo; 11-20-15 at 06:20 PM.
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