I just called the local Lexus dealer (Tulsa OK, about 100 miles away) and was going to schedule the 60K transmission service, but to my dismay they said that it is only to inspect the fluid, and not a change. Does this sound right or did I get the counter idiot? If anyone could tell me of their experiences of what needs to be done at this service interval. It does say to change in the owners manual, which I checked. Also, I do know that the rear shocks appear to be leaking and are starting to clunk over bumps. I thought I saw a TSB for the rear shocks. Feedback???

 

In my manual, it does not say change at 60K. I have a 2006.

 

Darth-do a search...it's been talked about a lot. In short, go by age or mileage, whichever comes first. I did my 2002 back in 2006 with 25k miles and I'm so glad I did. The fluid was so nasty and the bottom of the tank had sludge in it when it drained the last of it. When they flushed more crap came out. I watched it. Took a ton of fluid!!!

I look at it, and other fluids as insurance policies for your car. If you really care about it and want to have years and years of trouble free driving, then I would do it. Considering what a new transmission would cost to replace...every 3-4 years replacing the fluid would be a good investment IMO.

You should have Valvoline Instant Oil Changes up there in Tulsa (we do in Dallas). www.vioc.com They did mine with the Type IV Toyota ATF and did a full flush and fill for like $199 I think. They do good work.

 

Ok, had the car to the dealer about a rear shock issue, so I asked about the transmission fluid. They checked it and said it is good to 100K, since it's a sealed system, it's good until then. They did say they checked it out and looked ok. I don't understand why my owners book says to replace at 60K. Oh well.... a charge to tell me that it doesnt need to be done!

 

I would go by the book. Sometimes (refreshing, isn't it???) a dealer may just eyeball the color of your fluid and think that you are ok. Remember-the transmission hold like 16qts of fluid and you are just able to see 1Qt or less in that reservoir.

I would absolutely change it-no question. Insurance policy. Transmission is way too expensive to go cheap on. It is a sealed system-so what? Sealed system can develop sludge and particles that wear off over time internally.

You should get a credit towards the service since you paid already for the diagnostic part. It's like the debate about spark plugs---but even more convincing. They say our plugs go till 100k or so, but I personally have seen the benefit of changing plugs out early with both performance, smoother idling and gas mileage.

 

Derek,
When would you change the iridium plugs. I'm having a little rough idle/vibration myself. Dealer found what they described to me as "tired" motor mounts so they are changing them under my extended warranty. They wanted $195 for a MAF and Throttle Body cleaning. I'll do it for $20 this weekend, including some seafoam for the tank. I too was wondering about changing out the plugs. I have 56K on the car.

 

I just checked with Lexus and you guys are misreading the maintenance log. On page 51 it says replace spark plugs This is for the GS300 and the IS only. Not the SC. The next line is replace transmission fluid (ES 330, LS 430) The brackets define the models that this applies to. Again, not the SC. And this is only if the ES and LS are used for towing. Lexus says there is no directive to change the transmission fluid on an SC at 60K miles.

 

I just looked through the maintenance manual online for my 2002...and there isn't any specific period where a recommendation is made to "replace" the transmission fluid. It's says to inspect, or as iolmaster points out, when primarily used as a towing vehicle.

So it reads like this is a fluid, pardon the pun, option/choice depending on inspections. Nevertheless, I have to agree with SDDROPTOP, fluid maintenance sure costs less than a new or rebuilt transmission. One of those peace of mind issues I suppose.

 

Interesting, the 2006 manual reads a bit different. My manual covers the ES,GS.IS,LS,SC. So there are different notations concerning certain intervals and whether the procedure is needed at all. The transmissions are different between 02 and 06. 5 speed vs. 6 speed. The 06 does not imply that you should do any change on an 06 transmission. I can only tell you that I have 2 Lexus models at this point, a 2000 Rx and the 2006 SC. I had a 2000 ES and in all cases I take the stance that the engineers at Toyota know more than I do and I follow the manual to the letter. Meaning that if it doesn't say change I don't change. I sold the 2000 with 210K and I have 189K on the RX. I will be sticking with the manual. I guess changing things that are not called for doesn't hurt but I am not convinced it helps. Just my 2 cents.

 

You're correct again, they do read differently. (02 vs 06 60K maintenance page)

 

if our trans. are a sealed unit, then the trans. is like the one i had my Jaguar. the fluid can be changed but the problem is it is very hard to replacing the fluid and knowing how much your putting in, its a real pain to do it. remember their no dip-stick to check. when trans. goes they just do a replacement.
regards

 

According to the 2002 FSM the "dry" capacity of A650E 5sp transmission is 9.4 US quarts.

 

I wanted to report on what happened at the dealer. They looked at th oil, said it looked good. Said that it's no recommended until 100k. They said that the transmission uses world standard fluid! Whatever that was. The dealer was excellent to us. No charge, also, checked the shocks that we were complaining about and washed and vacuumed as usual. To top it all off they drove my wife to and from a meeting. Couldn't ask for anything else! Well.... Maybe dinner. Lol

 

Well for 2002 model, there is a transmission dip-stick so you can check the fluid and change it easily, if needed.