I have RX330 2005. How often do you guys replace transmission fluid? Is there filter that needs to be replaced as well? Full flush or partial? Thank you for your replies!

 

Fluid exchange with Toyota Type IV fluid every 30k since new. Never changed the strainer (filter). Just turned 256,600 miles.

 

Thank you for the information! I am thinking too that 30K is good interval. You have good amount of miles on yours, is it 2005? What major repairs have you done?

 

I do every 50K. Just drain and fill, not a full flush. Valvoline MaxLife Full Synethic ATF from Walmart.

 

2004 RX330 purchased new in Nov 2003. The major repairs (i.e. $$$) we incurred was the replacement of the front differential cover seal and the steering rack. Both are problems that have plagued multiple years of the RX. Other than that, several sets of tires, brakes (the weak part of the vehicle in my opinion), filters, fluid changes, timing belts/water pumps, etc.

An amazing vehicle that still runs great today. Like Lexuswiz stated, you can easily get away with 50k, especially if using a synthetic fluid like Maxlife.

p.s. I am a believer in fluid exchanges where ~12-14 quarts are run through the system, others prefer drain and fill while others prefer to replace the filter and fluid. With Toyota products, just not sure it matters since they run forever.

 

How many miles do you have on the odometer?

 

Good to know. I also did the steering rack on mine. Now i see leak from the front differential (i think its where it's coming from), problem is it's dripping on the exhaust pipe and it smells like burned oil in the cabin. Did you encounter tbe same symptoms? How much was the cost to replace the seal? Isn't that a gasket?

 

Bought it used with 71K, fluid was never changed. Changed timing belt and all fluids right away. At about 100K now. Like the other user posted, I also needed the steering rack replaced.

 

I'd think you'd want to change out the trans filter as well as clean the two magnets. Possibly after doing that, you could do a drain/fill.....I used a Wix trans filter as well as a gallon of Maxlife. Since your there, might as well as drain the rear end & transfer case...I used 2 qtrs Royal Purple 76/90 fluid.....

 

Hi members, ordered a case of Toyota Transmission fluid and been putting the service off for months.
Got the car at around 120k miles and at approx 140k I dropped the pan and changed the fluid and didn't think it looked that bad however it needed it.

Recently at 155k miles I decided to do a quickie drain and fill(4 quarts).
While loosening up the drain plug, the fluid ran down my arm and dripping off my elbow glistening in the sunlight it was looking very red. lol
I was happy with the color from what I saw but thought I should drain a little in a clear bowl and compare to new fluid to make sure.

Ya'll be the judge!

 

That fluild looks great.......All the trucks & cars that I've had, I've always pulled the pan, cleaned the magnet(s) as well as swap out the filter ever 30K, the stick cars I went about 100k or so.

 

Looks good enough to drink! Probably smells nice, too.
So that's 15K miles after you dropped the pan? Looks good with a normal slight darkening.

 

Ya'll really think so?

Honestly I was hoping for a little bit better when I compared the old to new so that's why I wanted to see what ya'll think.
A member in the RX300 forum recently dropped his valve body and replaced a couple selenoids DIY to fix a shifting problem, yeah pretty impressive, and it got me motivated to get off my but and do a service.

 

Keep up on the basic maintence & you won't have to swap out shift solenoids, as they were messed up thanx to the friction plate debris via the lack of changing the trans fluid & filter.....Clutch plates, frictions, bands, bushings are wear items which'll play havac on the solenoild pistons & bores tight torerances.....as well as the fluid heat. Auto trans fluid has a lot of work to do, so regular fluid & filter changes go a long way as well as cleaning the pan magnets......

 

I don't think it takes long at all for transmission fluid to darken and lose it new smell. I'm no petroleum engineer, but these fluids go through chemical changes during heat cycles. It's normal.
(And I see Felix mentioned the heat, too.)

You can always change the filter. I think I saw a video on youtube of someone "flushing" the solenoid valves when he dropped the pan in his Toyota.