OK, can I get a sanity check here?

I am here in Virginia and getting ready to do a transmission, transfer, and rear differential fluid drain and fill this weekend at 65K Miles for the first time on my 2006 RX330 AWD.

Here is what I am thinking. Drain the transmission using 10MM wrench- measure fluid output, replace new through dipstick ~4.5 qts or so. Then pull transmission return line from radiator, start car, purge remainging old ATF ~ 2qts or so, shut off car when clean fluid is extracted. Top off transmission, run shifter through all gears, done. Is this about right? So should I grab 7 qts of Toyota T-IV fluid, or better to get 8?

Also, was going to replace transfer case and rear differential fluid too. I believe they each take a quart of gear oil, either 75W-80, 7fW-90, or 80W-90, and it appears that folks like Royal purple the best. Are there drain and fill plugs on each of these units? With an AWD, do I also have a front differential, or is that built into the transmission?

Am I missing anthing here?

Thanks

 

Dude,

This is definitely the "shade tree" tranny flush method. You are barking up the right tree, and it is usually better to flush more fluid than less. Most shops can do a tranny flush for you for around 75 to 100 bucks, and you'll likely pay around 45 or 50 to buy the fluid alone depending on where you buy it (maybe less).

Ideally you want to hook it up to a tranny flush machine and get a full functional flush with the engine running. However, if you do not want to go this route, Your described method is a functional one IMO.

Either way, you'll be better off than doing nothing. Just be careful to make sure and get the proper amount of fluid back in the system.

 

Why not upgrade to a better transmission fluid too? Royal People or even Toyota World Standard is better than old Type IV.

The rear deferential has a drain plug and a fill plug. Just make sure you can loosen the fill plug before you drain it.

 

there is front differential separate unit from transmission. Since you are doing after a long period, try to use a breaker bar to open the drain plug first, do not get into a situation where you drain the fluid and cannot refill the unit. the rear one should be easy to handle, the front is bit tight make sure you have the shallow socket to tackle plugs. Also the manual should specify the fluid weight.

 

Good tip, start with the fill side and then go to the drain side. Breaker bars will be needed.

T-IV that's all you need, no need to upgrade for tranny fluid.

 

Thanks everyone. I peformed the service this past weekend, but the dipstick is very difficult to read to see exactly where the fluid level is cold or hot. Any hints??

 

A question here. Does the maintenance manual require fluid change at 65K mile? Or you just want to play safe? My 08 is about 50K now and I need to understand it. My service manual calls out fluid check at 100K.

By the way, the dipstick is really hard to read even for engine oil. My experience tells me that if we don't get a clear read within three attemps I will have to leave it for a while for a clear reading later.

 

In my case, as long as I know what the replacement fluid quantity is, I am at peace. The tranny fluid fill up quantity is stated in the manual for DRAIN and FILL.

 

It`s about 4.5 Qts.

 

Sounds about right.