Do any of you know if there is a tranny filter and if so what type in a 2017 RX 350.
Service dept says it;s a metal net type not a felt type and it never needs replacing. I'm not sure if I ought to believe them!
Thanks Guys

 

Read the maintenance part of your manuals. It does not list any maintenance on the transmission. Most Lexus products have been this way for a few years.

 

Nothing mentioned in the manual, that's why I'm asking here! I always exceed the recommended maintenance since I believe that "lifetime" means the lifetime of the warranty and I keep my cars well beyond that time period.

 

Toyota/Lexus has been using lifetime WS transmission fluid for a while. There is no scheduled service designed for these transmissions, but it does not mean one shouldn't service them. The transmission fluid filter is indeed a mesh screen type. The transmissions do not have a dipstick fill port, they have a bleeding straw in the drain plug. There are plenty of YouTube videos concerning the service of these transmissions.

Most people drain the fluid in the pan and refill it appropriately. Dealers do not actively try to do this service as the process can be quite labor intensive when performed per Toyota procedures.
The normally red WS fluid turns brown as it degrades from heat cycles and usage. The fluid is designed to last a "lifetime" but loses its effectiveness overtime (there is no lifetime fluid).

 

good feedback...wed be interested kn the procedures...ive scoured thru utube and nothing for 16/17 models...sale for differential and transfer case oils..nothing for this gen

 

Thanks Kelvin, just what I needed, a confirmation that what the dealer told me is true. I suppose they don't want to change the filter as it is labour intensive, my dealer has a machine that does an ATF exchange through the tranny cooler and that doesn't take too long. The service manager says the toyota's way takes way too long and the machine does a more thorough exchange, but he also told me that they never change the filter so I wanted to verify. I'm **** retentive for maintenance and don't believe in these "lifetime" fluids, in fact my oil change is every 5,000 miles and Tranny, differential & trans case every 30,000 miles. Will use Lexus fluids, but not oil filter as it looks sooo flimsy to me, for that I'll use the TRD filter, so much better in construction and filtering capability.

 

There is an internal transmission filter for the 4th Gen RX350's. However, the transmission cases have to be split to access it, and that is why it is considered a non-serviceable item.

The AISIN 8-speed transmission used in the 4th Gen RX350 is used by Lexus, BMW, Volvo and GM. Since the same transmission is used by several auto makers, that is one reason why some people are not married to "use only Toyota WS ATF".

 

Ok, I've watched drain and fill Lexus transmission videos of all sorts. Never have I seen anyone drop the transmission pan, or change out a filter, etc...

What I have seen is a drain and fill with the fill being a little more than what is drained so you have some to let out upon checking at the right temp. Care care nut has a great video on how to do it.

If you think you don't need to drain and fill your transmission, you likely have more money in the bank than I do to change out your transmission in the future.

We are very very very fortunate with our 2015 RX which has 170K on it. I didn't do its first drain and fill until around 150K miles and so far I have done two and the trans shifts actually better than before (didn't know it could be better honestly as it has always been butter smooth).

"Lifetime" trans fluid is a gimmick from OEMs and dealers, no different than 10K oil changes, thinner oil, etc.... We change oil at 5K or 6 months, use Amsoil signature series 0W-40 and couldn't be happier.