I see that many dealers recommend changing the transmission fluid on my 2002 FWD RX300, but the label on the transmission dipstick says never replace the transmission fluid under normal usage, as does the owners manual.

After 12K-mi, fluid is still the normal color. Should I believe the label on the car, and the owners manual, or periodically drain and refill with Toyota Type IV fluid (as some CL threads have suggested)? Or, should I wait for the transmission fluid color to change before worrying about it?

 

I have always done a tranny flush every 30k miles or at least once every 2 years regardless of color.

My lexus delarship wants to do it every 15k mile service regardless of the color.

The manual states inspecting the fluid only on the 30k services and doesn't make a dedicated statement as to when to change.

I have seen several different opinions here on CL and on LOC.

I think I will go with what I know.

steviej

 

it makes sense to me that at some point, the tranny fluid should be flushed/changed. the tranny does a lot of constant work (shifting gears) and is under a lot of stress and i can imagine bits of dirt/debris will accumulate over time and also the fluid itself loses its lubrication/cooling properties over time. I would flush/change it no sooner than 30k miles, but no later than 60k miles. transmissions are very expensive to fix.