Will it hurt anything if i change my fluid? it a 201 with 131000 and has never been changed and i am wanting to do this.i am new here so if this isn't the correct way to ask please let me know and thanks to anyone who takes the time to answer this question because i know you time is important. thanks again

 

There is no black and white answer to your question. It all depends on your transmission condition at the time of the fluid change and the type of transmission fluid used. Sometimes draining out the old transmission fluid can cause some slipping issues in older transmission that have very worn clutches which are only working due to the grit filled older fluid.

I changed my 2015 RX350 fluid at around 172k miles and no issues so far. However, I used Valvoline MAX Life transmission fluid that is supposed to correct slipping issues in high mileage transmissions.

It is always risky draining out older transmission fluid in a high mileage transmission.

 

If it was my car - I would do a single drain and refill with Toyota WS. It takes less than 3 qts.

 

I would do the series of three consecutive drain-and-fills using Toyota WS ATF. That will leave you with 80% to 85% of fresh fluid in the system. I believe that would leave enough of the old fluid in the system so the clutches could still operate properly.

 

Welcome to CL. If you do your own oil changes you can do your own cold transmission drain and fill. This swaps out about 2.25 quarts of the 7.5 or so in the transmission. It is gentle on the aging transmission as you only replace part of the fluid so the circulating clutch particles are not all removed at once. It will refresh the viscosity and reduce the friction increasing the life and performance of the transmission. I have done it countless times on several Lexus and Toyota (and a Mini Cooper) vehicles.
See this big thread on the process but start reading at post 47 where I explain the process and others provide their insights into doing it yourself.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...threads-4.html

This thread also provides tips and links on how to change it: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...-radiator.html

The basic process is jack up the vehicle so it is level, use jack stands for safety. It should be cold, having been off for several hours. The vehicle and new ATF need to be at the same temp as the fluid expands when hot. You need accurate measurements.
Remove the driver side front tire.
Remove the flap on the inner fender liner that covers the transmission fill bolt. There are some 10 mm bolts and a plastic plug I think. The fill bolt is 24mm. Make sure you can remove it before draining. You will need a long funnel to pour more fluid back in.
The drain plug is shown in the links above. You need a 6mm Allen or Hex wrench to open it. Once open a quart or so of fluid drains. When it stops draining insert the same wrench into the hole to remove the overflow plastic tube and another 1.5 quarts or so will drain. You need to measure how much drains. Get one of those painter clear buckets that have volume measurements on the side. Home Depot or Wal-Mart etc sells them for cheap.
After it stops draining carefully screw the overflow tube back in. Do not tighten or you may break it. Just slowly screw it in until it stops. Then screw the drain plug back in, make sure the gasket is still in place. Just tighten it enough to stay in place, like on an oil pan. Dont't strip it!
Measure your drained fluid. Note how much. These transmissions can be under filled or overfilled from the factory. I found that they work best on this cold drain and fill if filled with 2.25 quarts.
I did my used 2013 Sienna (same trans) that only drained 1.8 quarts and after 4 drain and fills over 4 weeks gradually increasing the volume it began to have better throttle response from a stop due to increased fluid. This vehicle had 88000 miles on the original fluid at the time. It continued shift perfectly until I traded it in with 127,000 miles.
I recommend Idemitsu TLS-LV ATF over Toyota WS as it is an exact replacement that is full synthetic and you can get 5 quart jugs at Amazon. I have it in all 3 of my Toyota and Lexus vehicles.
​​​​​​https://www.idemitsulubricants.com/p...tf-type-tls-lv
​​​​​​Idemitsu TLS-LV: Engineered for and meets requirements of Toyota/Lexus/Scion Automatic Transmission with WS specifications.

​​​​​​Drain Bolt Crush Gasket - P/N 90430-18008
​​​​​​https://www.ebay.com/itm/232356665652

 

thanks for the reply. it was much appreciated.

 

thank you

 

Thanks for this question and the very informative and instructive reply from the resident experts. I have a 2015 RX350 with 135,000 miles and thought I was not supposed to change any amount of ATF or I'd have slipping issues (I may have heard this from the Car Care Nut on youtube). A local shop that I started taking my Lexus to swears by BG products and recommended I have my transmission completely flushed first using a BG additive to clean it out and then completely refill with BG synthetic transmission fluid. They use a machine that hooks up directly to the transmission lines and the cost is $300. They verbally guaranteed me that I would not have a problem so I've been stuck trying to decide what to do, of course a verbal agreement isn't worth the paper it's not written on. I remember reading about the 1/3 refill method and bought transmission fluid 6 months ago and just never got around to it because I had hip replacement surgery 5 months ago. I think I'll go that route and save the $300.

 

It is a very easy DIY job. And you have the security of knowing that if you follow the very detailed instructions here on the forum, it will be done right and with the correct ATF.

 

I bought idemitsu Type TLS ATF but just noticed the label on the back of the jug says it's engineered for asian vehicles with Type T-IV transmissions. I'm wondering if I have the correct fluid?

 

The correct Idemitsu ATF for these vehicles is TLS-LV.

 

i started drain and fills on ours at around 115k and no issues but i think it's not as easy as oil change. you want to get measurements accurate to avoid have to using the overflow tube. in my case the tube also was stuck and was a nightmare to remove.

 

I have a 2012 RX350, about 106K, am planning to ask the dealer if they would do a transmission drain and fill. I just worry about the longevity of the vehicle if the dealership refuses to do it. I have a trusted mechanic, should I take it to him to get it done?

 

Why would you want to avoid using the overflow tube? It was engineered specifically to give you an accurate measurement of the fill level.

 

mullising - First talk to your "trusted mechanic". Find out if he has done this before. The drain and fill is best done on a cold vehicle so the amount drained is the same as the amount added as fluid expands when hot, Usually 2.25 quarts. It is not difficult, does not take very long, and there are Youtube videos showing how to do it.

Some dealers will do a transmission fluid change and some will not and state it is sealed forever. Some will do a drain and fill and others a fluid exchange by either the factory method or using a BG transmission fluid change machine. Both fluid exchange methods are fine. You can also take it to a Toyota dealer, or call some independent transmission shops, but do not call the big transmission chain shops.