RX350 Transmission Oil Change (merged threads)
#106
Moderator
Yes a complete flush through the cooling lines is more complete, I have done many of them, however they were all on vehicles that had a dipstick for the transmission. The problem with this transmission is the insanely over complicated way Toyota/Lexus has you check the ATF fluid level. It requires a temperature sensor and is the reason they put that overflow tube in above the drain plug. It is the reason I only do drain and fills on mine. However, some brave folks have done it and described the process at Toyotanation.com and on YouTube.
#107
Plan to change the tranny fluid on my wife's 2012 RX next May (car will be 5 years old). Car was purchased 3 weeks before our daughter was born and my goal is to hand this car down to her. My uncle's Tacoma has 276k on the clock and it runs like brand new. If you maintain these cars, they'll run forever.
There's no way any fluid, synthetic or otherwise, can last forever. I'll get a complete flush done by my Toyota dealer where I take the car for service at 60k and change every 60k thereafter.
There's no way any fluid, synthetic or otherwise, can last forever. I'll get a complete flush done by my Toyota dealer where I take the car for service at 60k and change every 60k thereafter.
Last edited by BP1203; 05-19-16 at 08:26 AM.
#108
Driver
Plan to change the tranny fluid on my wife's 2012 RX next May (car will be 5 years old). Car was purchased 3 weeks before our daughter was born and my goal is to hand this car down to her. My uncle's Tacoma has 276k on the clock and it runs like brand new. If you maintain these cars, they'll run forever.
There's no way any fluid, synthetic or otherwise, can last forever. I'll get a complete flush done by my Toyota dealer where I take the car for service at 60k and change every 60k thereafter.
There's no way any fluid, synthetic or otherwise, can last forever. I'll get a complete flush done by my Toyota dealer where I take the car for service at 60k and change every 60k thereafter.
Clutchless: I agree, these (transmission in my 4Runner as well) are very sensitive to the level of fluid in them. There are other methods to do it as you mention, but I would feel much better have a "scan tool" to help out if I were to do it myself, or better yet, have Toyota (qualified) tech do it for relative cheap.
#109
Lexus Champion
Completely agree with you. I still haven't ruled out calling Lexus of North America (customer service) on my local dealer to complain (it's a small complain, I know). It makes no sense that some Lexus dealers offer a "transmission service" while others warn the devil will kill you if you do.
Clutchless: I agree, these (transmission in my 4Runner as well) are very sensitive to the level of fluid in them. There are other methods to do it as you mention, but I would feel much better have a "scan tool" to help out if I were to do it myself, or better yet, have Toyota (qualified) tech do it for relative cheap.
Clutchless: I agree, these (transmission in my 4Runner as well) are very sensitive to the level of fluid in them. There are other methods to do it as you mention, but I would feel much better have a "scan tool" to help out if I were to do it myself, or better yet, have Toyota (qualified) tech do it for relative cheap.
#111
Yes a complete flush through the cooling lines is more complete, I have done many of them, however they were all on vehicles that had a dipstick for the transmission. The problem with this transmission is the insanely over complicated way Toyota/Lexus has you check the ATF fluid level. It requires a temperature sensor and is the reason they put that overflow tube in above the drain plug. It is the reason I only do drain and fills on mine. However, some brave folks have done it and described the process at Toyotanation.com and on YouTube.
Hence it can be drained and filled. I have done drain-fill on all my Toyota's and Lexus' cars and now ill do it for the IS350. Ordering the fluid on mazon. There must be a drain plug and a fill plug. I used to own a Mazda MX-5 Miata and it had Drain and fill plugs, I use an extractor-loader to fill up the tranny reservoir. I will be using the same thing.
And similarly, I anticipating to see the WS fluid to be dark. As in my Miata. I have gone through 8 drain and fill to get the color back to reddish-pink. Felt better after the multiple drain-fill.
There's a lot of 1.6 drain and fill to impact the whole tranny fluid volume. But I will feel better that I am slowly but surely replenishing the existing fluid with fresh fluid.
I do hear some slight whining with the tranny, been hearing it since we bought it at 46K miles. Now it is at 93K.
#112
Moderator
The 2006 IS350 has a different transmission than the third generation RX350.
#113
Ok, that explains it.
Lexus went to the real sealed unit. Bet you it was something to do with them not wanting you to touch it.
Lexus went to the real sealed unit. Bet you it was something to do with them not wanting you to touch it.
#114
Moderator
The IS350 is rear wheel drive with an all wheel drive option. While the RX350 is front wheel drive with an all wheel drive option, however the all wheel part only works when slip is detected.
Also the IS350 uses a different version of the 3.5 engine https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_GR_engine
i think because it is a longitudinal mount and primarily rear wheel drive vs transverse mount front wheel drive that is why the transmissions are quite different.
Also the IS350 uses a different version of the 3.5 engine https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_GR_engine
i think because it is a longitudinal mount and primarily rear wheel drive vs transverse mount front wheel drive that is why the transmissions are quite different.
#115
Driver
Sorry for the mini-rant.
#116
Lexus Champion
agreed cookieroe ^^^ off topic a little, but the k46 trans axle in my john deere x 300 is supposedly not serviceable as well. thats why i serviced it a few weeks ago and what a difference!
#117
Intermediate
iTrader: (1)
Transmisson fluid change not on Maintenance Schedule
Hello,
I am new to this forum. My wife just purchased a 2013 RX350 FWD and I am wanting to know when to change the tranny fluid. I don't see it in the Lexus maintenance schedule. With past vehicles I would get it change around 70-80k. Does anyone know this or better yet how often do you all change the tranny fluid?
I am new to this forum. My wife just purchased a 2013 RX350 FWD and I am wanting to know when to change the tranny fluid. I don't see it in the Lexus maintenance schedule. With past vehicles I would get it change around 70-80k. Does anyone know this or better yet how often do you all change the tranny fluid?
#118
that's because it is considered to be a "lifetime fluid", i.e., no change needed. There is a DIY somewhere for those folks who do want to change, but I could not find it just now.
Jimk
Jimk
#120
Lexus Champion