Bought a 2016 NX200T 3 months ago with 90k. No record of tranny fluid drain. I've read where it's better to not flush if metal is seen in the filter and just drain and refill with a couple quarts, others say flush the whole system. It is under a 1 year warranty in case something gets really messed up. Lexus recommended full flush at $540. Thoughts?

 

Not sure exactly how they perform a “flush”, but the service manual only calls out instructions for a drain and fill, not a flush. I performed three drain and fills on a Lexus NX I took ownership of with nearly 100k miles and since then I’ve been changing the fluid every 20k. Takes about 2 quarts of fluid each time I do it.

 

Lexus service advisor said they vacuum out all the fluid and replace. Takes 12 quarts.

When you do the drain and fill, how many quarts are you using?

 

It only drains about 2 quarts each drain and fill.

 

Look up carcarenut channel on YouTube. You don't want to do a flush, just do a drain and fill every 50k. Toyota/Lexus transmissions use the dissolved particles in the oil for friction. You can run into problems with a flush, especially if the transmission has not been serviced in 90k miles.

 

Drain and fill! at your mileage, I would do it every 10k miles for the next 30kmile then every 35k-50k after that. Don't do dealer flush!

 

In all the videos and instructions I've seen about this, there's one thing I don't understand.

There's a FILL plug, and there's a DRAIN plug.

If the engine/trans is COLD, and the vehicle is on a flat surface (i.e. raised on a lift)...
If I were to open the drain plug, and then close it after it's dripped out, and then MEASURE the amount of fluid that came out (let's say, 18 ounces)...

Why can't I simply now pour 18 ounces into the FILL plug ? Is there any benefit to doing that, multiple times? Is there any HARM in doing that (multiple times)?

 

If you know the fluid level is accurate prior to draining the fluid, then there should be no issues with doing what you suggested.

 

There are many schools of thought on this, but my understanding is to avoid flushing the system and only drain/fill.

 

You could do this, however, how are you to know if the amount of current fluid is adequate? Let's say you drained 18 oz., however, if the capacity calls for more, you would theoretically be underfilling. Best bet is to drain and fill until fluid starts coming out from the fill hole. Once the fluid stops seeping out, then plug the fill hole.

 

When you do the drain and fill, do you use the scan tool I’ve seen suggested to use? And if so what’s you go,to places to purchase it?

 

My 2016 NX200t with 110K kms ( 68K miles ) has zero tranny fluid change thus far and I've not yet checked the tranny visually for the drain/fill plug locations. From my experiences with servicing my '05 Toyota 4R with its sealed tranny and its drain/fill/o'flow plugs and fluid temps req'd during the fluid changeout, is the procedure for the NX the same (albeit w/o the o'flow tube part as I'm assuming it is not present in the NX tranny as no mention of one in above posts) as per the temp requirements for a D/F ? TIA.

 

Apologies. For those unfamiliar with Toyota's 4th generation 4Runner, its sealed tranny has a drain/fill/o'flow ( the o'flow is a tube w/plug that when removed determines the correct fluid level is reached at the specified temp, { believed to be around the 150 F mark if memory serves correctly } when the plug is removed and any excess fluid is drained off thro' this tube.

 

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.

 

@AMTMJ Much thanks for the quick response, especially location of fill plug thro' LH wheel well, lol. It'll be a first for me. All my previous d/f of tranny fluid had me flat on my back under the vehicle from start till finish.
So, pretty much similar procedure as doing my '05 4R's sealed unit. I use a handheld IR thermo gun for temp readings and with the OBD method, it'll be another first for this old trooper w/a low tech skill set. Thanks again.