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Yes, you can just loosen the drain plug a tad and allow some to drain (a couple ounces) and check the condition, but honestly, if you are going to do that, just go ahead and drain and fill with the same amount on a cold trans.
Yes, you can just loosen the drain plug a tad and allow some to drain (a couple ounces) and check the condition, but honestly, if you are going to do that, just go ahead and drain and fill with the same amount on a cold trans.
agreed, its so much trouble to do it, that you spend extra 10min and change it
I see. So if I drain it cold and replace just that amount there is no need for all the temperature sensitive stuff. An independent shop quoted me $290 for drain and fill using BG synthetic fluid. A Toyota service dept recommended a flush (I have 124k miles) for $320 OTD. My trans fluid history is unknown. Any ideas re drain fill or flush with 124K?
Last edited by jazzgitah; Feb 24, 2026 at 05:50 PM.
I see. So if I drain it cold and replace just that amount there is no need for all the temperature sensitive stuff. An independent shop quoted me $290 for drain and fill using BG synthetic fluid. A Toyota service dept recommended a flush (I have 124k miles) for $320 OTD. My trans fluid history is unknown. Any ideas re drain fill or flush with 124K?
The drain and measure method works, but it should only be peformed on a transmission that is working just fine already.
If your transmission is having any shifting issues then you may have an leak or improperly filled transmission in which that method will not provide an proper fill or solve the issues that your transmission may have which may be related to an improper fluid level.
I see. So if I drain it cold and replace just that amount there is no need for all the temperature sensitive stuff. An independent shop quoted me $290 for drain and fill using BG synthetic fluid. A Toyota service dept recommended a flush (I have 124k miles) for $320 OTD. My trans fluid history is unknown. Any ideas re drain fill or flush with 124K?
Here's a video which answers transmission questions, CarCareNut is a favorite here. Bottom line is do the drain and fill, sample from there will indicate where the transmission is at in service curve, use Toyota WS ATF only. When we purchased this RX last summer I phoned a local Lexus shop for a price on drain and fill and they told me they don't do those, only offered a pan drop, replace filter and flush service, don't recall price but was expensive. Phoned a local Toyota dealer service department and was quoted $120 for D&F, phoned a second Toyota dealers service and was quoted $100 for D&F so had those guys do it while I waited for car, took about an hour and sample came back clear pink brown normal used color, I'll be doing another Toyota service drain and fill on the RX later this spring and then do a D&F each year after for the city use and temperatures here. If your RX has the tow package it also has an external large transmission cooler which will have helped conserve transmission from high temperatures over the years and which is the killer of these.
I see. So if I drain it cold and replace just that amount there is no need for all the temperature sensitive stuff. An independent shop quoted me $290 for drain and fill using BG synthetic fluid. A Toyota service dept recommended a flush (I have 124k miles) for $320 OTD. My trans fluid history is unknown. Any ideas re drain fill or flush with 124K?
Yes, I did this on our 165K mile 2015 RX with no issue. I had never drained and filled on it till around 160K and it was black, but still shifts fine (maybe even better?), so I'm blessed. I plan to do another in about 10K miles to mix in more good fluid.
I wouldn't use anything but the recommended WS fluid from Toyota as these transmissions are very sensitive to the right lubrication. Also, when refill it after draining, I always add an extra 3 oz for any spillage and whatnot.
I did a complete transmission fluid change using the substitution method. I used about 8 quarts of Idemitsu ATF TLS-LV oil (it meets the Toyota WS specification), as well as a pan gasket and filter.
The transmission fluid level is set at a certain temperature with the engine running.
A transmission fluid change is supposed to be done every 60,000 miles, but I would change it every 40,000 miles.
I change all filters and fluids on my cars immediately after purchase, because I don't know when they were last changed, or if they were changed at all.
Checking the transmission fluid level has already been discussed above. Many cars produced since the early to mid-2000s don't have a transmission fluid dipstick. Some don't even have one for the engine (hello Mercedes, Porsche, etc.).
Tranny fluid check?
