i dont think its part of the service. my dealer charged me $250 for tranny drain n fill

 

It is listed if you tow, so if anyone wanted the dealership to do it (or at least pretend to do it) then just tell them that you tow often....then see what they say. Of course even then you would not know if they actually did the service or not.

 

My Lexus dealer, which is also a Toyota dealer, told me the sealed-system, not necessary, lifetime fluid story. They did quote the service at my request for $320US and said once performed it needed to be performed every 50K or 60K miles (I don't remember which.)

While I don't disagree with the 50-60K service period concept, the logic that periodic changes are necessary only if the service has been performed once escapes me. The only logic I can think of is that replacement fluid is not as good as the factory fluid, which seems unlikely.

 

Bamalam said, "While I don't disagree with the 50-60K service period concept, the logic that periodic changes are necessary only if the service has been performed once escapes me. The only logic I can think of is that replacement fluid is not as good as the factory fluid, which seems unlikely."

Another possibility would be the "lifetime" transmission fluid concept is owned by the factory. If the dealer messes with it now they are liable if anything goes wrong whether it is their fault or not. So, Mr. Bamalam "make sure you come in every 60,000 miles for a drain and fill so we can keep an eye on things."

 

As long as you use the factory OEM fluid, it is the same fluid that they drained out. So, no, that makes no sense. If you're going to keep the car for a long time, I would always drain and refill the trans fluid every 60k or so.

 

Agree. It is not as if this is a complex or unheard of maintenance item. As I mentioned, it is listed in the owners service manual if you tow, and I assume some RX owners do tow. So it is not as if this service is never done. The WS fluid going back in is the same as the factory. I did transmission fluid drain and fills many many times on my Acuras.....back when they included a dipstick. Quick, easy and cheap.

Lexus simply decided to call it Lifetime as a sales pitch for low maintenance costs for the average owner who sells the vehicle in a few years. I know the fluid can last a long time, but if Lexus would define Lifetime as for as long as you own the car....but they do not! I know first hand that they will not honor the lifetime statement when the transmission begins to slip....it may take 200 or 300 thousand miles, but that is why we buy Toyota/Lexus.

 

just change at 60k, and every 60k after that, after transm fluid analysis , that’s just good maintenance. If u trading in after 4 yrs, don’t bother. I plan on keeping 15 yrs/200k miles
watch viktor or the car care nut YouTube videos and make an informed decision. Again, if u plan on keeping veh l
long term, change fluids( did transfer case and rear diff as well at 42k)
I had oil analyzed too w 8600 miles on it.
TBN was down to “2.3”, so will now always change every 7500( which is my 6 months mileage).do what you want , but that’s what I’m doing .

 

Also worth saying is that ....IF the transmission is a lifetime SEALED unit ,WHY does it have a drain and fill plug?

 

I think it is because at 60,000 miles or 72 months which ever occurs first, if you are: "Towing a trailer, using a car-top carrier or heavy vehicle loading:" the maintenance requirement is to change the transmission fluid.

 

Hi, I just wanted to ask did you had to use a shallow 17mm socket to remove the drain plug? I was curious because I saw Viktor was using it. Thanks

 

For the transmission fluid change no.

You use the following tools for each item:
24 mm socket (fill plug)

17 mm Allen Key (drain plug)

T-40 Torx (overflow plug)

10 mm socket

21 mm socket and wheel lug key and breaker bar

Extensions for sockets (need for fill plug)

Funnel with flexible hose for filling ATF

Torque wrenches

I have linked my procedure below for transmission fluid replacement (one drain and fill). For the transfer case, I use a shallow 24 mm socket to avoid using the extensions on the drain plug....I just found that to be easier.

 

I meant to say did you had to use a shallow 17mm allen key as Viktor was using in his video.

 

Yeah, wasn't sure if you were talking about transfer case or transmission.

No, I just used a regular 17 mm Allen Key. No problem with access so any one will work fine.

 

On my 21 RX350 with 17K miles, I want to a drain/fill with either HPL green or Redline D6. Both are Toyota WS compatible. Replacing 4qts out of 7,2 qts,
The warranty runs out In March 2027. That is almost 3years away. I like to address the Toyota WS early and get it out of the way. I am even thinking going with HPL Green or Redline D6 (which are in the basement.

Has anyone used HPL ATF green or Redline D6 in a RX350 U881F transmission? Any issues? Any performance shifting changes?
I put in Redline D6 in my Toyota Venza V6 U661 transmission and it work great at 120k. Real smooth.

 

The only oil I use is Amsoil for the past 30 plus years. Never had an issue.