Transmission Fluid
Pit Crew
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 120
Likes: 63
From: texas
Lota of debate about drain and fill vs fluid exchange. I am in the drain and fill camp.
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 3,046
Likes: 1,130
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 26,134
Likes: 4,360
From: Alberta
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 26,134
Likes: 4,360
From: Alberta
https://proformancesupply.com/produc...xchange-system
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles
Michael S. Palmer
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
From what I recall, threads stated that drain and fill would not cause any buildup of debris and old coagulated fluid to break free due to only gravity being the source of drain and filling. Power flushing can use solvents to beak up clots and force them into the valves and springs of transmission narrow passages where they can hang up and cause malfunction. Much like a freed blood clot traveling in the human body. A fluid exchange with a machine uses no solvents but there is more pressure than gravity. Even if this pressure is the same as the transmission pump in the car, it's more risk than just gravity drain and gravity fill. Certainly some misuse of different terms by members. No one can say for certain if a powered fluid exchange is harmful to an older high mileage transmission without knowing if there are "clots" in the system. But it's safer to assume that is so.
Pit Crew
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 122
Likes: 25
From: the Netherlands
Thanks for all the excellent info on this foum guys! I'm really enjoying reading about the LS topics and all the amazing knowledge here.
What would you say if my dealer tells me that my hybrid trans oil does not need changing on my 2011 LS 600h Euro spec.? My car only has 87k miles. He says (as others stated here) it's for the life of the car. I would gues that the hybrid transmision has an easier live most likely than a LS460 regular transmission, so the more reason not to have to change it?
What would you say if my dealer tells me that my hybrid trans oil does not need changing on my 2011 LS 600h Euro spec.? My car only has 87k miles. He says (as others stated here) it's for the life of the car. I would gues that the hybrid transmision has an easier live most likely than a LS460 regular transmission, so the more reason not to have to change it?
Intermediate
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 309
Likes: 99
From: California
So what did that flush cost you?
I had Lexus change mine shortly after purchasing the vehicle at 84k miles. No issues and peace of mind for me. I plan on doing it every 30k miles or so. If you can afford the $189, it's cheap insurance to do it every 30k miles.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 476
Likes: 210
From: VA
Hey, just for my own mental sanity. When doing the transmission fluid re-leveling is the engine supposed to be on or off?
I did: plug holes, add fluid, start engine and warm to 35-42C, then I stopped the engine, and opened the drain plug, now getting shifting issues like it's underfilled? Someone at work said the engine should be running for the system to have pressure, else with it off the system/torque converter drains. I probably have it underfilled?
I did: plug holes, add fluid, start engine and warm to 35-42C, then I stopped the engine, and opened the drain plug, now getting shifting issues like it's underfilled? Someone at work said the engine should be running for the system to have pressure, else with it off the system/torque converter drains. I probably have it underfilled?