on my 04 awd you could change these fluids ...but is that the case on say a 13?

 

Yes, you can change them. If you use the search function, you will find threads explaining where to find the fill and drain plugs and how to do it.

 

hhmmm...ive seen it for the 2nd gen but nothing for each of these for our 3rd gen. in fact there seems tb some disagreeme.t that you cant change tranny fluid at all?

 

You can change the tranny fluid easily by doing multiple drain and fills which allows about 2 quarts to be drained each time. I have done this many times on both the RX and my prior 2008 MINI Cooper S which had almost the same transmission. You need to do it with the car cold to have an accurate fluid level and measure exactly how much was drained. There is the insanely complicated Toyota/Lexus official method for a fluid exchange where you have to measure fluid temperature etc, but all that is not needed if you just do multiple cold drain and fills while measuring your fluid. I always add about 4 ounces extra back to account for spillage and stuff that stays in the drain pain and bottles. I used MAG 1 low viscosity full synthetic multi vehicle ATF in place of Toyota WS ATF and found that it shifts better. You can get it at Amazon. The Highlander is a mechanical twin except we do not have to remove all the underclading they do.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/12...rain-fill.html

There are threads on this if you search with terms such as change ATF or transmission. The way this search works is rather crude so I would start with just the word transmission.

Regarding the rear differential and front transfer case. They are easy drain and fills where you fill up to the fill hole and are done when the fluid overflows. Your owners manual will advise on the correct fluids. I would use 75w-90 synthetic gear lube over conventional lube in the differential. http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/12...ml#post2959747
Also go to the Toyota Nation forum 2nd gen Highlander site Maintenance forum for all of this information and much more as it is a mechanical twin regarding the engine, transmission, transfer case and differential http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/12...ion-2008-2013/

 

ive seen these but not sure they apply to our 13 versions...if that were the case one could change the tranny filter but the 13 doesnt seem to permit that?

 

13 is the same as any other 10 to 15 vehicle. You do not want to bother with changing the tranny filter. I think you have to remove a frame member and lift the engine a bit to get to some of the transmission pan bolts. The filter is just a screen anyway to catch large chunks. Just change the fluid and drive.

 

Yep, agreed!

 

Try this link to a long thread on this topic...


https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-3rd-gen-2010-2015/459777-rx350-transmission-oil-change-diy-5.html