Getting ready to hit 50k miles on the RX. I take it to local Toyota dealer for service (much closer to my home and much cheaper).

Thinking I should get trans fluid changed when it goes in for service. I know fluid is supposedly good for 100k but I don't trust it.

Should I get the fluid changed? I want this car to run solid for 200k miles.

Any idea on what I should expect to pay?

 

I tow occasionally, and I had mine done at 92k. My car now has nearly 150k on it, so I think 50k is early, unless you do a lot of towing.

FYI, I paid nearly $800 for that service.

 

The local Lexus dealership only recommended a drain and fill which replaces 1/3 of the fluid, I've got 55K miles on mine now. i found a local shop that just charged $80.00 for labor, and they use the BG PF5 fluid exchange machine. I bought the 8 quarts of Valvoline Maxlife synthetic ATF, which is Toyota WS compatible, and they hooked up the machine to the transmission cooler lines and replaced all 7 quarts of fluid, took 15 minutes total, they then did a fluid level check by checking the overflow plug. The old fluid didn't look too bad, looked like a brownish red, the new fluid was a bright red. I've got a better piece of mind with the synthetic fluid inside the transmission.

I did this same procedure on my Toyota truck the week prior and was happy with the results and quality of the shop doing the procedure. Initially, I thought the Toyota WS fluid was lifetime, but after seeing a sample of my truck's fluid after 80K miles, I was a little skeptical of the lifetime claim, but feel much better with switching out to fully synthetic.

Both vehicles seem to shift a little better, and definitely have a better piece of mind. Toyota WS runs about $12.00 a quart at the local Toyota dealership, I got the Valvoline Maxlife synthetic for about $4.50 a quart at Wal-Mart.

 

Drain and fill at 50K at Toyota is a good idea, by me.
Ray A.

 

I only have 38 thousand on my 2010 but (and I do most of my own car maintenance, including this) I did 2 drain and fills recently with Mag 1 low viscosity multi vehicle full synthetic ATF, which is WS compatible and much cheaper. Vehicle appears to shift better. Old fluid was dark red. The hardest part was removing the trim inside the driver side front wheel well to access the fill plug.

I used to have a 2008 MINI Cooper with a similar Aisin 6 speed automatic and the same ATF drain and fill procedure with the overflow plug. At the MINI forum we figured the simple way around it was to do cold drain and fills with the new fluid at the same temperature as the vehicle. Measure the amount drained and replace with a couple extra ounces. I was able to drain about 2 quarts. I did it twice, 2 weekends in a row. According to the partial drain replacement chart, this replaces 38% of the fluid. A third exchange will bring it to 51%.

 

i suspect our trans pans hold around 4.25 quarts. at least thats what my 2005 trans pan held.

 

Your 2005 probably had the horrible 5 speed automatic, that slow shifting POC was the reason I got rid of my ES330 after 2 years. It shifted so slowly, especially waiting for it to kickdown when merging or passing, that I felt it was dangerous.

I did remove the overflow tube and even lowered the passenger side to make it flow more after it stopped draining when level. No way I could get more than about 2 quarts out. That is about the same amount I got out of the MINI and it was a 6 speed Aisin, probably very similar in design but smaller.

 

hahaha, yes thats the one. what do you use to put the fluid in the fill hole? just a tube n funnel?

 

Yep. It is on the side,after you spend 15 minutes removing trim, and first turn your tire to the left for access. It is toward the front of the wheel well. A long funnel works perfectly.

 

Just had our 52K mile '11RX trans. drained & filled w/5 qts. at Toyota for $184. Said they had to keep it several hours after the drain and fill to get it to the right temperature and run it with their computer hooked up to make sure everything is right. Never heard of this, but it's all included in the price, and I trust them. It seems to shift more smoothly.
Ray a.

 

Just had our 92k '12 RX350 into the Toyota dealer to do a trans flush. Paid $155. They also had it several hours for it to cool to the correct temp. Ours had some strange behavior before being flushed. Seems to be considerably smoother now.

The biggest thing I noticed is the dealer used Valvoline Max Life Synthetic ATF fluid instead of Toyota WS saying that they have better luck then the Toyota fluid and its about half the cost.