Any suggestions on how to be pro-active on keeping the transmission serviced and running well. My daughters have a 2001 Rx300 with 136 K and it runs like a champ I regularly maintenance it and watch it like a hawk just want some advice for staying ahead of any massive maintenance issues, Thansks

 

Change the fluid at least once every 15K miles including the filter. I'd also highly suggest moving away from the Toyota Type IV fluid to a synthetic fluid. We've discussed several year including Amsoil, Royal Purple, Redline and Mobil 1 ATF among others that make a Type IV compatible fluid.

I've done some other odd things, like keeping the tranny dipstick open to let out heat and removing the windshield wiper fluid reservoir to let more air hit the transmission cooler. That came about from my Mexico experience, but you can be fine in the U.S. with normal driving and not doing those things mentioned in this paragraph.

Also suggest (if it's an AWD vehicle) changing the gear oil in the transfer case and rear differential about every 30K miles if you want to be vigilant with a synthetic gear oil (there's many out there made by the same companies that make the synthetic ATF).

 

Yup, like Lexmex said, 15k OCI for transmission fluid.

I use Castrol Transmax Import Multi-Vehicle fluid, it's a semi-synthetic and it works great.

 

I'll second that on the Castrol, because it is an improvement over the Toyota Type IV.

 

So I would be good by draining the Trannny and the Transfer case and just replacing with a semi-synthetic fluid . How do you replace the filter on it ?

 

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...er-change.html

Synthetic I would prefer and you will find the ones in auto parts stores (and in many cases the filter do), but do see Amazon.com.

The transmission is a U140F for the AWD RX300 and U140E for the FWD RX300.

 

So semi-syntheic fluid and do I have to drop the pan to change the filter ?

 

Did you take a look at the thread Lexmex posted a link to? It tells you everything that's involved and how to do it.

 

hypervish can you tell me what exact Castrol Transmax Import Multi-Vehicle fluid, it's a semi-synthetic? I looked on Amazon and Ebay try to purchase, there Castrol with different series # like 06814, 03521, 03520 ect.... which one did you used? thanks

 

This is the one that I use:
It's also on sale at Advanced Auto Parts for $5.69 compared to the regular price of $6.29. I usually buy it from Walmart, but I'm going to stock on some from Advanced. Although the price at Advanced and Amazon is pretty similar right now for 6 quarts.

Yes, the fluid is a synthetic blend. I've been using Castrol Transmax IMV for almost 50k miles now, I change it every 15k miles and it comes out looking new. I really like this fluid compared to the T-IV.

 

I just used that same fluid last week for my drain n fill while adding a cooler. Gonna wait about a month and do it again. Not the cleanest fluid came out but she shifts smooth.

 

Thanks Hypervish I order 2 cases for Amazon!

 

Hypervish, THANK YOU!!!

I just bought the last three cases from Amazon. Woo-hoo!

 

That why Amazon ran out ! couldn't find any more Woo-hoo great stuffs!

 

You're welcome guys!