Ichthys

I purchased a new 2010 RX350 AWD in October 2010.

Now I am approaching 100,000 miles.
I read in this forum the trans is sealed and not service-able and just leave the trans alone.

Are there other instructions for the trans?

Ichthys

I've read a few different opinions...
some guys say do a flush, some guys say there isn't even a fill plug so leave it alone.
What are the best instructions?

Cruiter

I'd follow the instructions printed in your maintenance manual.

lexus114

Definitely have it changed!

felix168

You'd be surprised how ugly that lifetime fluid could look at 70k miles. Get it done at the dealers as they'd have the proper tools to perform this particular job.

Clutchless

The dealer will charge around $300 to do a flush. Consider the cost of a replacement. I think it is worth doing every 50,000 miles.

lexus114

Agree 100% ^^^

sc400

I will leave mine alone as instructed by the manual.
It's interesting to see that some people would leave it alone while others would change it regardless.
Similar to the engine oil habit some would change it at 3,000 miles religiously as if it's 1970 and the car still has carburetors.

lexus114

the first thing you will notice by not ever changing it will be a gradual shift deterioration. and overall transmission not acting like it should/used too.

afpj

just had this conversation with our dealer. We had a 90000 mile service performed and they investigated a noise in reverse when the engine was cold. It turns out it was a couple of pulleys and a worn drive belt.we specifically asked about the transmission and if we can have the fluid changed if it was not done before and they actually recommended against it. We don't tow, but around Vegas its pretty extreme weather so thought they'd recommend tranny fluid change sometime soon, but no. They reiterated the "lifetime fluid' bs. I thought that to be interesting to say the least. From an engineering standpoint, there ain't such thing as lifetime fluid for ANY vehicle component.

steveo55

Have it serviced 100 percent. Do it near 100k miles. Make sure the dealer does it dont take it to just any shop. They have to use special transmisson fluid. They make sure its full by hooking it up to a computer. Oil is oil its propertys break down no matter what people say. Better to spend few hundred dollars then a few grand later on!

itiramisu

My mechanic with many years of experience advised that the RX tranny fluids should be flush/replace at every 40k. He has worked on many Rex's that has to replace the tranny because of bad transmissions due to not changing the tranny fluid. I changed mine @ 40k and the shifting feels so much smoother, just my 2 cents.

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

Nothing special about it, its just Toyota WS fluid... easily acquired at either dealership. So if they were so set on not changing it, why on earth would a dealer decide to sell the oil?

No car out there is "sealed" there is drain and fill plugs. You have to look for them, is all.

They've definitely made it harder to locate then before, but a pump hooked up to the bottles makes light work of it.

LeoDLion

Here is a side question: Suppose you decided to take it to the dealer for transmission oil change. How do you know the oil really has been changed? You can not see the fluid. I suppose you have to trust the dealer to it the job. I rarely take my cars to the dealer for tranny oil change. I do it myself.

lexus114

pretty much have to trust them. but you should be able to feel a difference of some kind anyway.