Transmission fluid
03-02-21, 04:50 PM
#32
Instructor
Maintenance schedule for Avalon/V-6 Camry are to replace transmission fluid every 72 months/92,000 Km (50,000 miles) " if you tow, use a camper or car-top carrier" Exact same engine/transmission as ES350. HOWEVER...Lexus does not recommend you "tow, use a camper, or car-top carrier" (even though you can find hitches and roof racks that will fit). This seems to suggest that heavy duty use, regardless of the decals, badges, and labels, requires that the transmission fluid be changed fairly frequently! (Italics are mine). For the price, I'd say it's a pretty inexpensive way to ensure the looong life of your car. My appointment is for this Friday with 80,000 miles of non-towing, non-camping, non-rooftop carrier use. A replacement transmission cost I do not need.
Last edited by Tootsall; 03-02-21 at 04:54 PM.
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st1800 (03-02-21)
03-03-21, 08:16 AM
#33
I've talked to a number of Toyota/Lexus Techs about the Lifetime fluid. They all said change it based on the experiences they have had.
My 2013 ES350 U/L had 150k on it. I changed it (drain and fill) every 40k just as my own personal choice. I only had my Toyota Dealer do a drain and fill each time. They charged about $65 labor, and I gave them 2 $14 bottles of Valvoline Full Synthetic Trans Fluid from Walmart each time. The Toyota fluid is Not Full Synthetic. My Transmission shifted smoother and smoother every time, and it quit Whinnying like it use to.
My 2013 GS 350 Lux only has 36k on it, I changed it (drain and fill) once already due to time. I'll be changing it much more frequently now, because I sold my ES and will be driving the GS more now. That's my choice. Like Tootsall said, a replacement transmission cost I do not need either.
My 2013 ES350 U/L had 150k on it. I changed it (drain and fill) every 40k just as my own personal choice. I only had my Toyota Dealer do a drain and fill each time. They charged about $65 labor, and I gave them 2 $14 bottles of Valvoline Full Synthetic Trans Fluid from Walmart each time. The Toyota fluid is Not Full Synthetic. My Transmission shifted smoother and smoother every time, and it quit Whinnying like it use to.
My 2013 GS 350 Lux only has 36k on it, I changed it (drain and fill) once already due to time. I'll be changing it much more frequently now, because I sold my ES and will be driving the GS more now. That's my choice. Like Tootsall said, a replacement transmission cost I do not need either.
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lji (05-16-21)
03-06-21, 06:30 AM
#34
Here is my research:
1. most toyota dealers will be happy to replace your “life time” ATF fluid in Lexus
2. Only some Lexus dealers will replace it.
It seems to be related to dealership service department policy/training. Some Lexus dealers have company stand not to change it, they dont want to be involved if you have issues, plus they can always point to a book and say: “manual says its life time”
1. most toyota dealers will be happy to replace your “life time” ATF fluid in Lexus
2. Only some Lexus dealers will replace it.
It seems to be related to dealership service department policy/training. Some Lexus dealers have company stand not to change it, they dont want to be involved if you have issues, plus they can always point to a book and say: “manual says its life time”
03-06-21, 06:55 AM
#35
Instructor
Let ‘em point...I’m way off warrantee anyway and have zero intention of using Lexus dealership unless I have a serious programming issue for which Toyota can’t help. (Closest Toyota dealer...7 miles; closest Lexus dealer...140 miles).
04-17-21, 03:44 PM
#36
04-18-21, 02:21 AM
#38
Instructor
well I had this very conversation with a service dept. manager earlier this week. I had taken my 2010 Toyota 4 Runner in for an oil change and as I was leaving I saw the service manager and asked him what they recommended for my 4 Runner. I know we're discussing Lexus here but since I just had this conversation I thought it might be good for comparison sake. The gentleman told me that they recommend changing your tranny fluid every 100K miles or 7 years. My 4 Runner is at 85K miles but it's 11 years old, so it was suggested I have the tranny fluid changed when I bring it back for another oil change at 90K miles. I specifically asked if they did it by drain and fill to which he said no because whatever pan ( not sure of what it is called ) they drop will only get rid of a small portion of the old fluid. This particular dealership uses a BG Transmission pump system. I fall into the camp that believes all fluids break down over time, especially over 11 years and being driven in Louisiana heat, so I'm going to look into it. Not sure which way I'll go, but I wanted to post this since the OP asked about this subject.
04-18-21, 07:36 AM
#39
Lead Lap
These posts and debate has been going on literally for years on these forums. It's the "we don't trust the Lexus statement that the tranny fluid is permanent" vs. those who DO trust Lexusthat the "fluid never needs changing'. Whatever the true and correct answer is, it's time to put this to rest and move on. For me, I won't own the car long enough to worry as I usually dump it around 50k or even less mileage. Geez, give it a rest. You want to change? Go for it... No change? Have a good life and stay healthy... Take your wife/partner/girlfriend out with the money you saved. 
04-18-21, 09:49 AM
#40
These posts and debate has been going on literally for years on these forums. It's the "we don't trust the Lexus statement that the tranny fluid is permanent" vs. those who DO trust Lexusthat the "fluid never needs changing'. Whatever the true and correct answer is, it's time to put this to rest and move on. For me, I won't own the car long enough to worry as I usually dump it around 50k or even less mileage. Geez, give it a rest. You want to change? Go for it... No change? Have a good life and stay healthy... Take your wife/partner/girlfriend out with the money you saved.
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bc6152 (04-18-21)
04-18-21, 10:59 AM
#41
well I had this very conversation with a service dept. manager earlier this week. I had taken my 2010 Toyota 4 Runner in for an oil change and as I was leaving I saw the service manager and asked him what they recommended for my 4 Runner. I know we're discussing Lexus here but since I just had this conversation I thought it might be good for comparison sake. The gentleman told me that they recommend changing your tranny fluid every 100K miles or 7 years. My 4 Runner is at 85K miles but it's 11 years old, so it was suggested I have the tranny fluid changed when I bring it back for another oil change at 90K miles. I specifically asked if they did it by drain and fill to which he said no because whatever pan ( not sure of what it is called ) they drop will only get rid of a small portion of the old fluid. This particular dealership uses a BG Transmission pump system. I fall into the camp that believes all fluids break down over time, especially over 11 years and being driven in Louisiana heat, so I'm going to look into it. Not sure which way I'll go, but I wanted to post this since the OP asked about this subject.
Me I would get the Valvoline Toyota Fluid type and do a drain and fill only. I would do it the next 3 oil changes. There is a Toyota shop service bill code I posted here somewhere before that's only about $60 for the service and the Fluid can be found at Walmart for only about $20 bucks for a gallon. After its done you will hear and feel the difference.
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Poppa (04-18-21)
04-18-21, 11:09 AM
#42
These posts and debate has been going on literally for years on these forums. It's the "we don't trust the Lexus statement that the tranny fluid is permanent" vs. those who DO trust Lexusthat the "fluid never needs changing'. Whatever the true and correct answer is, it's time to put this to rest and move on. For me, I won't own the car long enough to worry as I usually dump it around 50k or even less mileage. Geez, give it a rest. You want to change? Go for it... No change? Have a good life and stay healthy... Take your wife/partner/girlfriend out with the money you saved.
Talk about Losing/Saving money? Buying a Brand New Car, keeping it and hardly driving it a few years and then getting rid of it? What a huge , huge Loss of value and money. You should be Leasing Not buying. You could go on Major Vacations with that loss! lol!
Last edited by jgscott; 04-18-21 at 11:12 AM.
04-18-21, 12:33 PM
#43
Lead Lap
[QUOTE=jgscott;11035628] Now you are telling Members here to stop discussing it?
I'm not telling members to do anything... This subject has been discussed ad nauseam over a period of ... years... It will not be resolved. Some want to, some don't... WGAFF? (I don't)... Fill in the dotted lines...
I'm not telling members to do anything... This subject has been discussed ad nauseam over a period of ... years... It will not be resolved. Some want to, some don't... WGAFF? (I don't)... Fill in the dotted lines...
04-18-21, 04:09 PM
#44
Its actually even simpler than that for You. I have a much better more Mature recommendation especially for you, so you can relax and stop Whining. Next time and this time you see a Transmission Thread and Post.
DONT CLICK THE THREAD! Will that not solve the problem for you? This will allow YOU to Rest and move on. lol!
Promise us you wont Post the same you post I don't keep my cars long, blah, blah, blah, blah,............. in every Tranny Fluid thread again ever. Its of No help what's so ever anyway.
DONT CLICK THE THREAD! Will that not solve the problem for you? This will allow YOU to Rest and move on. lol!
Promise us you wont Post the same you post I don't keep my cars long, blah, blah, blah, blah,............. in every Tranny Fluid thread again ever. Its of No help what's so ever anyway.
Last edited by jgscott; 04-18-21 at 07:46 PM.
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st1800 (04-22-21)
04-22-21, 01:14 PM
#45
My personal experience is that I did my first drain and fill at 100k miles and am now going to do a drain and fill every 45k miles. I may shorten the interval since I mostly do city driving. I wish I would've done my first drain and fill at 60k miles though. Also, I would never do a flush.