I have a 2015 ES350 with 50,000 miles. I want to change the transmission fluid. I would like to remove it all pumping it out through the cooler return line as I’ve read in a few posts. My question is...which one is the return line? I’ve attached a pic taken from the front of the car. Is it the “green” circled higher line, or the lower “red” circled line? Thanks in advance for any guidance with this!

I want to change it because I’m of the belief that nothing lasts forever...including WS transmission fluid. Over 95% of engineers of other car manufacturers feel that it is necessary to replace the fluid of their transmissions. I love the build quality and reliability of Toyota/Lexus, but I truly can’t believe that they have found the magic elements to put into fluid to make it last forever. I feel that each owner has a choice to make in maintaining their car. Neither is right or wrong, they are individual opinions. I’m not the “average” Lexus owner...I do all my own wrenching on my car. I keep my cars for an average of 15 years, so in my “opinion “, I change and maintain all the fluids regularly.

From Lexus I learned that the target temp was between 104 and 111 degrees. I use an IR thermometer and an instant read handheld kitchen thermometer to read the fluid coming out the drain. What a pain...I would like to have words with the engineers that thought that they have “improved” on the transmission dip stick! Have they ever heard the adage “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it”?!?

After draining the fluid and dropping the pan on Saturday, I’m glad I “fixed it”. The “lifetime fluid” was brownish, and the 2 magnets were covered in a superfine metallic dust. I personally feel better that new fluid is circulating through the 6 speed transmission. Again, it’s not a right or wrong decision, it’s all a personal choice. I enjoy doing maintenance on my vehicles, and feel good about doing it.

I never got clarification on which line was which. I just drained the fluid and then dropped the pan. I got out just shy of 4 quarts. The fluid was brownish and the old filter looked like I’d did it’s job, because the filter material had caught a bunch of fine debris. All in all, the job went pretty well. I’m glad I did it, and now knowing that there is about 4 fresh quarts of WS fluid in the system!

Ok, based on the dire warnings of many Lexus service departments, changing the fluid is asking for trouble. As expected your old fluid sounds (looked) like it was expiring. How did you determine you had the fluid at the right level? Let us know how it performs in the coming weeks.

thanks.

Well as I stated, I got out almost 4 quarts. After buttoning up everything, I added 4 quarts of new fluid. I started the car and shifted through the gears several times. I kept checking the temperature of the transmission pan in several locations with my infra red thermometer. When the temperature reached 108 degrees ( I averaged the 104-111 degree target temperature) I opened the drain plug. Fluid flowed out and I verified the temperature of the fluid coming out with a Taylor instant read thermometer in the fluid stream. The fluid then slowed to a trickle, and I reinstalled the drain plug. I measured the fluid that came out and it was a little more than a half quart. Total fluid came out was equal to new fluid going in. I took it out for a test drive and shifted through the gears. She shifted buttery smooth, but to be fair...she did before the fluid change. With 50,000 miles on the car now, I’ll probably do it again at 75,000, then 100,000. That way, most of the original fluid will all be replaced.

Please let us know what they report about Toyota/Lexus ATF. I too would like to go with the Valvoline Maxlife synthetic ATF. I’m a big believer in synthetic fluids. I use them in all my cars, and even in my zero turn mower. I figured since I was still under warranty, I would use the Toyota WS. I’ve read in many forums and on Vavolines own website that the Maxlife is compatible with the WS fluid.

From Valvoline web page