Can someone advise the best way to change the tranny fluid. Drain plug is visable, but where is the fill tube? Would like to use Amsoil.

 

Why are you changing? My local Lexus Service Manager when I asked him said it never needs changing. Matter of fact said could cause more harm than good. I will trust him with 28 years of Lexus service experience. He refuses my money.

 

Time to find another mechanic all transmissions will have their life shortened if the fluid is not changed. There is no debating this fluid breaks down and gets contaminated. BTW your mechanic won't refuse your money when you need a new transmission.

To the OP your transmission has no fill tube or plug replacing the fluid requires a fairly complicated procedure.

 

Researching online, everyone agrees no fluid last for the life of the car. It's no coincidence there is NO filler tube. Car Dealerships are now nothing more than warranty repair shops. Why would they encourage you to change fluids. Also important to change power steering fluid @ 60K +/-.

 

Intrigued by your response. I am sure those contemplating changing their transmission fluid based on your knowledge would like to know your resume. My local Service Manager trained by Lexus and have worked on Lexus vehicles for 28 years says do not change.

 

You can trust someone employed for 28 years, or look at actual data. ATF breaks down as does all oil this is obviously well known and common sense. "Lifetime fluid" is a catch phrase that is truthful and misleading at the same time it will last the life of your transmission but that life will be shorter. If the transmission lasted 10,000 miles you could still call it lifetime fluid. If the transmission blew up after 10 miles, still the same it had lifetime fluid.

 

If u believe ur tranny fluid is lifetime, u either:

1. don't expect/care achieving the full life out of ur car or,
2. r misinformed or,
3. work for Toyota or,
4. insert whatever other plausible reason here.

No fluid is lifetime. Period.
Not even blood. Even with 2 filters and regenerating every 28 days, approximately.
Unless ur defining "lifetime" as the time it takes a vehicle to permanently stop working, independent of miles.
Of course Lexus service advisors/mechanics say it is lifetime. That's what corporate tells them.
Lexus informed me, many years ago, that my 2002 GS had lifetime tranny fluid.
This changed when WS came to market.

 

So please post your credentials and if they are more impressive than my local Service Manager with 28 years of service experience all with Lexus than I will listen. Hilarious so it is all a Lexus conspiracy.

 

No one is going to convince you that your walking on water mechanic is wrong. Your choice, no problem. The info about changing fluid is for people that want to look at things logically.

 

My credentials?
Being old and been driving for over 40 years.
I notice that you always refer to this person as your service advisor, not as a mechanic. Those are not credentials, just a meaningless title.
BTW, not trying to change your mind. After all it is your car and your money.

 

Exactly what I thought that you have zero experience with transmissions especially Lexus transmissions yet you are refuting someone who has 28 years experience having been trained by Lexus and working on them for 28 years and his opinion is illogical. A true LOL!!! Have driven Lexus's well over one million miles with zero transmission changes and zero problems. Keep spending your money or transmission fluid changes if it makes you happy.

 

One million miles. Wow!
Your logic is flawed, though.
As an example, to prove this, I submit into evidence: I have been around pregnant people all of my life and yet, not once have I been with child.
It is very egocentric to believe that your personal experience could transcend to the rest of the world.

 

Have a look at ISF sticky transmission section and make your own mind up.

 

If the fluid was "for life," why a drain plug, and just put in a sealed unit?

 

no fluid is lifetime - heat slowly and surely destroys everything.