Bocatrip

I'm sure if you had the dealer service the trans, it could be expensive. That was a good idea as they usually stand behind their work and the trans could be prohibitively expensive. I never touched my trans since purchase 7 years ago and now with 128,500 miles the fluid is still bright red and shifts flawlessly (for the most part). Not planning on going near it. Good luck and you must be happy to enjoy your car again.

tallcaguy

Dealer cost was 200 but worth it. Shifts are now pretty much seamless. There have been a few bumps in the transition from 01 Base (5) to 04 ML (6). I am now enjoying a car that runs well. Glad to hear your transmission is a success.

Bocatrip

Transmissions can be crazy troublesome as well as expensive. The newer transmissions are pretty much trouble free for the last few years. CVTS personally I would stay far away from...The LS430s are not anywhere there and newer models have presently been staying away from CVTS.. Thank God. Since I'm on the LS430 forum I can only say.. Great Car! great Transmission 01-03...and over built in general... Find a cared for LS430.. may be a lifetime car....Newer cars are crap as we are finding out.with exceptions.04-06 LS430s are fine too . Stick with Lexus in General.

k7q

iTrader: (37)

Just got the car back on the floor. still has that downshifting jerk. I'm going to drive it for a couple of days then bring it to the dealer to flash the ecu.

danielmew

If only 3 quarts of ATF comes when you drain it, then do you do multiple drain and fill to diluted out the used fluid? What is "shift points and down shift"?

JffGRY706

shortly after my 90,000 mile service, I was reviewing my maintenance history. I could not find any entries for replacing the power steering fluid. my car uses ATF for the power steering fluid. my power steering fluid was black with foam on the surface. at that point I began to replace the fluid by slurping out with a turkey baster and replacing with Mobil One full synthetic ATF. the jar was stained at the level of the fluid. I would slurp out and refill after each fill up of gasoline. I used 3 quarts before what I put in looked like what I was taking out. At this time I began to be concerned about my transmission's ATF. could it be as bad? the fluid contains additives that wear out or are used up over time. replacing some of the fluid replenishes the additives. doing so a little at a time does not shock the system. I then did a couple of drain and fill service on the transmission. first at shortly after my 95,000 mile service and the second 1500 miles later. bonus was that my power steering jar was also cleaned and no longer has the stain that was making it hard to tell the level of the fluid. I was going to continue the drain and fills on the transmission, but after 2 it was shifting better and I decided to do a drain and fill every 30,000 miles from then on. dealer is only one I would trust with this procedure as it is quite complex. I will be due shortly for my 125,000 service and I plan to have a transmission service at that time. I live in what is considered a severe climate due to high temperatures in the summer a lots of dust. transmission service is listed on my dealers web site with the optional services available. each was $168.40 and was 4 quarts of ATF and 1 hour labor ($110). just my experience, yours may vary

k7q

iTrader: (37)

Did the ecu flash and still same problem. Jerks when down shifting from 3rd to 2nd and 2nd to 1st.

I was reading some old posts. Sometimes said it could be the complete ecu itself? hmm.

Johnhav430

Two thoughts.....my indie told me all they get is 3 qts., and suggested coming back 2 more times whenever its convenient. They said at 86k, there is zero chance of damaging the tranny by a drain and fill, and told me it's not that easy to do at home correctly, because of the fill, temp, etc., but I think the forum begs to differ. At the same time they charged $80 which is not unreasonable. I was told my fluid was in fact dirty, but not burnt.

On the PS fluid, my car has in its history that it was replaced, and the indie also did it. Hate to say it, but my fluid is not bright pink, should it be? It's darker. Maybe this is also a suction out of the reservoir and refill, dunno. I can't remember what color my Maxima's is, pretty sure not pink either, but in 240k+, never bothered to touch it. I think the BMW's fluid is green. I remember paying like $19 for a liter of the fluid, and it actually leaked or weeped through the cap, so I replaced the gasket.....

I don't prefer autos, but having not had one since the 90's, my mentality is it needs replacement every 100k, which is likely to be absolutely not true today....the indie told me he's seen LS430s tranny's go 250k personally.....

Natey2

Would a Toyota dealer (I do my oil changes there) know how to replace the ATF correctly in a 2005 LS430 (110K) ? Is the 3UZ-FE fairly close to the Toyota Tundra's engine? What should I ask them to ensure they know what they are doing?

JffGRY706

I would think so. It is after all Toyota WS ATF and Toyota also uses 6 speed transmissions in some vehicles. not sure if they have dip sticks for those trannys. I don't think it will be any cheaper, here Toyota charges the same labor rate as Lexus.