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Just got my transmission fluid changed out at 63k miles at Tommy’s of Music Box in El Monte. Tommy was a Toyota mechanic that now works on his own and is available to do maintenance, suspension, and exhaust work on Lexus vehicles for people in the LA/SoCal area. There’s a whole thread about him in the So Cal forum.
I brought over 4 bottles of WS ATF for him to drain and fill and had the opportunity to watch as he he did the service. I did find that the fluid drained out was almost black and even though this fluid is considered “lifetime” I wanted to change it out. Tommy found that I was a full quart low (which would explain why my shifts were a bit harsh). I can say that the car drives so much better. Shifts a bit smoother too. I’m sure that is attributed to my fluid level being low rather than the condition on the old fluid as some guys here have tested their fluid at 60k plus with no issues.
Im pretty happy with it so far. I got the fluids from Amazon and Tommy did it for $100 flat.
Toyota 00289-ATFWS Lexus & Automatic Transmission Fluid WS ATF World Standard, Pack of 4 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CTUSEMU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_zt0sFbQEMYWEP
That fluid crossed over into another realm, no longer ATF. I've said it many times, think about what "lifetime fluid" really means. Lifetime, what is that? It is the total life of something, could be 1 trillion years, 1 nanosecond, 1000 years. It is not false advertising to say lifetime fluid, but the suggestion is it will last as long as you need it to. Not so, the lifetime will be reduced.
I would have loved to have sent it to Blackstone to be analyzed but just knowing I was that low at only 60k was alarming. Car shifts great now. So glad I did it.
I would have loved to have sent it to Blackstone to be analyzed but just knowing I was that low at only 60k was alarming. Car shifts great now. So glad I did it.
Remember, this is an 8 speed transmission we're talking about. If you drive your car spiritedly or on the track, your transmission fluid will grow pretty disgusting pretty quick. At 60k miles though, that is slightly alarming to be down about a quart.
Tommy is great! I replaced 4 quarts of transmission fluid last year, will be doing another 4 quart replacement this year.
Tommy's advice is to replace 1/4 at a time in four consecutive service intervals as opposed to replacing the entire transmission fluid at once. His knowledge and expertise is so greatly appreciated.
Not exactly the same but here is a YouTube video of an ISF transmission change at 62k. Notice his fluid is “cleaner” than mine. Looks like a pain though without a lift. Tommy made it look so easy.
I didn't do it the same way this guy did, but accomplished the same task. Dropped the pan, replaced the filter, refilled and set the level. Not too hard.
I had mine flushed and filled by my lexus master tech. 35k miles.
Total waste of fluid. After 6 track weekends and 120k miles, Blackstone showed there was plenty of life left in my ATF. I didn't do anything but set the level until I did this service at ~158k miles.
Total waste of fluid. After 6 track weekends and 120k miles, Blackstone showed there was plenty of life left in my ATF. I didn't do anything but set the level until I did this service at ~158k miles.
Wow. I wonder what the max life is on this fluid and why it lasts so long. After seeing the fluid I was shocked at how dark it was but that’s not always a tell tale sign of fluid going bad. Now I wished I could have sent it to Blackstone.
Just got my transmission fluid changed out at 63k miles at Tommy’s of Music Box in El Monte. Tommy was a Toyota mechanic that now works on his own and is available to do maintenance, suspension, and exhaust work on Lexus vehicles for people in the LA/SoCal area. There’s a whole thread about him in the So Cal forum.
I brought over 4 bottles of WS ATF for him to drain and fill and had the opportunity to watch as he he did the service. I did find that the fluid drained out was almost black and even though this fluid is considered “lifetime” I wanted to change it out. Tommy found that I was a full quart low (which would explain why my shifts were a bit harsh). I can say that the car drives so much better. Shifts a bit smoother too. I’m sure that is attributed to my fluid level being low rather than the condition on the old fluid as some guys here have tested their fluid at 60k plus with no issues.
Im pretty happy with it so far. I got the fluids from Amazon and Tommy did it for $100 flat.
Did some research, on Bullet's Garage he had a couple transmission fluid change videos, and on one of them he showed the overfill drain which we can use to determine how much transmission fluid to add.
Well I’m doing this again this weekend after another 5k miles.
Tommy recommends to drain and fill 4 consecutive service intervals so I’ll do another drain and fill of 4 quarts and get my oil change.
Finally got my hands on Renewable Lubricants for my oil change. Loves this oil on my ISF and was unable to get this last time around. When I had this on my ISF the engine seemed to run so smooth and was much quieter.
Came from Tommy’s today and got my oil change done at 69k miles. I love that I’m back with Renewable Lubricants. I notice the car runs quieter. It may run smoother too but that maybe more placebo.
The transmission oil was dark again. This was my 2nd drain and fill with Tommy so I have two more to go. I know color is not an indicator of oil life but this is more for peace of mind.
Thanks again to Tommy from Music Box in El Monte. He’s a fellow ISF owner as well and it’s nice to talk to a person well versed in the 2UR. Some bad news though..he did mention he notices some high mileage GSFs having the valley plate leak. I thought I left that nightmare behind with the ISF but it seems some 2nd gen 2URs are still affected.
Transmission Fluid at 63k
