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So you are telling members on the forum to change the fluid. Please state years experience with Lexus/Toyota and transmission repair. My Lexus Shop Manager 21 years experience and a friend said it never needs to be changed as per Lexus. He went to the transmission factory to be trained and asked them was is the number one cause of transmission failure. Wrong fluid wrong amount/level both one is faces when changing. One million miles on six Lexus's and of course not one transmission problem.
Bold emphasis added.
This is not true. Seems I addressed this statement before, from you or another member. Toyota/Lexus states to change your ATF fluid every 60K under special operating conditions, defined as off-roading, towing, commercial-use, using a top-carrier, etc… Unfortunately, those activities are not further defined. For example how much off-roading meets the threshold for the ATF change? How many times towing, or how far, would meet the criteria for changing the ATF?
Two trusted youtube ASE certified mechanics, and former Toyota mechanics, Car Care Nut and ViktorA, both recommend to follow the 60K ATF change regardless of meeting the special operating conditions, as do most transmission mechanics. In the alternative, a drain/refill every 30K is acceptable. I will add to replace your ATF filter by 125K if you plan on keeping your vehicle beyond that mileage.
This is not true. Seems I addressed this statement before, from you or another member. Toyota/Lexus states to change your ATF fluid every 60K under special operating conditions, defined as off-roading, towing, commercial-use, using a top-carrier, etc… Unfortunately, those activities are not further defined. For example how much off-roading meets the threshold for the ATF change? How many times towing, or how far, would meet the criteria for changing the ATF?
Two trusted youtube ASE certified mechanics, and former Toyota mechanics, Car Care Nut and ViktorA, both recommend to follow the 60K ATF change regardless of meeting the special operating conditions, as do most transmission mechanics. In the alternative, a drain/refill every 30K is acceptable. I will add to replace your ATF filter by 125K if you plan on keeping your vehicle beyond that mileage.
On gen4 rx350 (2016-2022), is the the ATF filter accessible without splitting the transmission apart? I am not sure on this matter. On my Toyota V6, the pan is easily seen from below.
@monju0525 It has a pan, but is on the side, facing the front. Same thing on daughter’s 20 RAV4. I have not taken a close look on our RX350. On the RAV4 it is a tight fit and requires removal of the inlet ATF hose. I will be completing an ATF flush on the RX in fall and will take a good look at the pan.
This transmission is a generic pic of the Aisin AWF8F35, a variant of which is in the RX.
Last edited by chuyrobles; Aug 18, 2024 at 10:53 AM.
This is 2024, so many people still think of cars from decades ago, and the Fords GM, Chrysler crap products. All these excessive fluid changes line the pockets of mechanics and oil companies.
I'm the same as this other person, millions of kms, always done what the book says and never have had engine or transmission problems.
The 3 year, Lease Car owner is the #1 Market Segment for Lexus.
"Buy and hold" is of little interest to them.
Lease owners want low maintenance costs while leasing.
therein, extended fluid changes.
It's a marketing call, not engineering.
Aisin makes the transmission, they have no lease car customers.
The 3 year, Lease Car owner is the #1 Market Segment for Lexus.
"Buy and hold" is of little interest to them.
Lease owners want low maintenance costs while leasing.
therein, extended fluid changes.
It's a marketing call, not engineering.
Aisin makes the transmission, they have no lease car customers.
Only car owners in sum.
Yet hundred's of thousands of Lexus vehicles are still on the road, 10,20 years old with engines and transmissions working fine. Must be lucky. I must be lucky too, 3.6 million kms in vehicles, always serviced as per the book, NEVER had engine/transmission problems.
Yet hundred's of thousands of Lexus vehicles are still on the road, 10,20 years old with engines and transmissions working fine. Must be lucky. I must be lucky too, 3.6 million kms in vehicles, always serviced as per the book, NEVER had engine/transmission problems.
Very true but our 4Runner transmission failed at about 200k and Toyota told us to pound sand....past the lifetime fluid lifetime.
I do a single drain and fill at 60k now. I would rather not hope that I am lucky when the job takes about an hour and costs maybe $100.
Very true but our 4Runner transmission failed at about 200k and Toyota told us to pound sand....past the lifetime fluid lifetime.
I do a single drain and fill at 60k now. I would rather not hope that I am lucky when the job takes about an hour and costs maybe $100.
There's ALWAYS exceptions to the rule, you could also do 60k refills and have problems too. Obviously you have to look at the majority.
Did the drain and refilled today and factory filled was 3 qts exactly. Installed 3.5 qts and did the overflow procedure waited until it starts to drip and installed the plug. Total capacity is now about 2.9 qts. Transmission shifts smooth.
The “lifetime fluid” debate has been a topic for almost 2 decades in all the forums I participate in.
Fluid degrades with heat and condensation, which is physics, not automotive technology or marketing.
If we anticipate owning our Lexus for 100k miles or less, that’s likely within Lexus corporate’s “lifetime” definition.
If we expect to own our Lexus for 12years/200k, then multiple fluid exchanges over that time are appropriate… many of us believe.
My Lexus dealer will not consider a flush of my Lexus 3yrs/36k, even though at this young age the fluid would be particle free… but will drain and fill ~3.5 quarts for $800. Muliple drain/fills will exchange most of the old fluid, but not all. And will certainly do no damage…if done properly. But I’ve never settled for drain/fills in the past.
I have the tools, and the necessary competence, but I need to first resolve how many drain/fills equal a likely improved environment inside the transmission, so as to make the whole effort worthwhile. It seems like such a compromise.
… and maybe consider saving the entire costs of servicing and add that to the cost of a transmission replacement >100k down the road. So much cheaper to do a unit replacement than replacing the entire car.
The “lifetime fluid” debate has been a topic for almost 2 decades in all the forums I participate in.
Fluid degrades with heat and condensation, which is physics, not automotive technology or marketing.
If we anticipate owning our Lexus for 100k miles or less, that’s likely within Lexus corporate’s “lifetime” definition.
If we expect to own our Lexus for 12years/200k, then multiple fluid exchanges over that time are appropriate… many of us believe.
My Lexus dealer will not consider a flush of my Lexus 3yrs/36k, even though at this young age the fluid would be particle free… but will drain and fill ~3.5 quarts for $800. Muliple drain/fills will exchange most of the old fluid, but not all. And will certainly do no damage…if done properly. But I’ve never settled for drain/fills in the past.
I have the tools, and the necessary competence, but I need to first resolve how many drain/fills equal a likely improved environment inside the transmission, so as to make the whole effort worthwhile. It seems like such a compromise.
… and maybe consider saving the entire costs of servicing and add that to the cost of a transmission replacement >100k down the road. So much cheaper to do a unit replacement than replacing the entire car.
See post #143 above in this thread. Many Toyota/Lexus techs (CCN and Viktor) recommend a single drain and fill (approx 3.5 quarts of WS ATF) around 60,000 miles. See their YouTube channels for the procedure. CCN does NOT recommend multiple drain and fills. My post above shows pics and outlines procedure....I have a printed procedure if you want it. BTW, $800 is robbery for this job. Fluid is maybe $75 and labor is one hour at the most. DIY if you feel comfortable doing the job or find a Toyota/Lexus dealer who will do it for less. Only use WS ATF and only follow the TIS procedure.
