Tranny Fluid - Flush or Drain?
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 344
Likes: 94
From: Lexus, NJ
The NX has a drain plug (underside of the pan) and a fill plug (accessible from the LH wheel well). You’ll remove the drain plug and stand-pipe, and It’ll drain ~2 quarts. Reinstall the drain plug and stand-pipe and refill with fluid.
When checking the fluid level after refilling it, you’ll need to ensure the car is level, then bring the transmission fluid to the proper operating temp per the SM (there’s a procedure using a jumper pin on the OBD connector - the instrument cluster will alert you once the temp is reached), remove the drain plug and allow the excess fluid to drain until it starts to trickle, then reinstall/torque the drain plug.
When checking the fluid level after refilling it, you’ll need to ensure the car is level, then bring the transmission fluid to the proper operating temp per the SM (there’s a procedure using a jumper pin on the OBD connector - the instrument cluster will alert you once the temp is reached), remove the drain plug and allow the excess fluid to drain until it starts to trickle, then reinstall/torque the drain plug.
If you lift the car up and it's on a straight surface, AND the engine is cold, and you remove the plug, and then measure precisely the amount of fluid that came out, then WHY can you not simply inject/insert/refill at the fill plug the SAME QUANTITY that was removed. Can't you do this without having to be concerned with temperature? I just don't get it !
Driver
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 96
Likes: 49
From: TX
PLEASE enlighten me.
If you lift the car up and it's on a straight surface, AND the engine is cold, and you remove the plug, and then measure precisely the amount of fluid that came out, then WHY can you not simply inject/insert/refill at the fill plug the SAME QUANTITY that was removed. Can't you do this without having to be concerned with temperature? I just don't get it !
If you lift the car up and it's on a straight surface, AND the engine is cold, and you remove the plug, and then measure precisely the amount of fluid that came out, then WHY can you not simply inject/insert/refill at the fill plug the SAME QUANTITY that was removed. Can't you do this without having to be concerned with temperature? I just don't get it !
Last edited by AMTMJ; Mar 26, 2025 at 10:07 AM.
Pit Crew
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 135
Likes: 29
PLEASE enlighten me.
If you lift the car up and it's on a straight surface, AND the engine is cold, and you remove the plug, and then measure precisely the amount of fluid that came out, then WHY can you not simply inject/insert/refill at the fill plug the SAME QUANTITY that was removed. Can't you do this without having to be concerned with temperature? I just don't get it !
If you lift the car up and it's on a straight surface, AND the engine is cold, and you remove the plug, and then measure precisely the amount of fluid that came out, then WHY can you not simply inject/insert/refill at the fill plug the SAME QUANTITY that was removed. Can't you do this without having to be concerned with temperature? I just don't get it !
Also, this should go without saying, but everyone should ensure the fill plug is loosened first BEFORE the drain plug.
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 4,611
Likes: 370
From: In your head
PLEASE enlighten me.
If you lift the car up and it's on a straight surface, AND the engine is cold, and you remove the plug, and then measure precisely the amount of fluid that came out, then WHY can you not simply inject/insert/refill at the fill plug the SAME QUANTITY that was removed. Can't you do this without having to be concerned with temperature? I just don't get it !
If you lift the car up and it's on a straight surface, AND the engine is cold, and you remove the plug, and then measure precisely the amount of fluid that came out, then WHY can you not simply inject/insert/refill at the fill plug the SAME QUANTITY that was removed. Can't you do this without having to be concerned with temperature? I just don't get it !
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 344
Likes: 94
From: Lexus, NJ
Now THAT'S a good reason for me to follow the documented procedure! I wouldn't have thought of that!
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