I've owned two S's. Before you even test drive one be sure to browse the owners forum for what sorts of issues to expect https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/forums/model-s.73/

I would not recommend the S unless you live really close to a service centre and have a second car. The Y is hideous and not a very good car overall (fun, great tech though), the 3 is OK, and definitely never ever buy an X, they are just so riddled with issues, even new 2023 ones.

 

I'm aware that this thread is about changing tranny fluid but feel obligated to state a few comments regarding Tesla. It seems that each time there is a news article about them they're A. catching on fire. B. Killing someone. C. Costing someone a fortune for parts. D. shoddy build and finish complaints. And how would you feel if you paid more than the cars are selling for now that they have been reduced to move?
And, BTW, none of the above apply to Lexus...

 

This kind of discussion tells me not to open this forum.

 

I don't really mind the fact that E46CT always bring out Tesla references to all threads LOL, I mean he has provided ton and ton of good info and tutorials here for the forums.
Just that it irritate a lot of people here sometimes. Unless it goes too far, we can't stop any body giving out their opinion. Maybe we just focus on the main discussion.

By the way, to OP, if you doing it soon can you provide a detailed write-up for us. I mean it sounds complicated on paper but hell, just drain out and fill in the same amount + a little more. What could go wrong , we not "flushing', just drain and fill right?

I have changed my oil, rotated tire (not anymore for those 2, I let Lexus do it so that the service showing up on Carfax and Lexus history for re-selling value purposes ), , change braked rotors and pads, I think I can do this . Maybe spark plugs next at ~80K miles

 

Well a half hour reading that forum was enough to get that idea out my my head! If I was willing to risk that kind of experience might as well get a Panamera or Taycan instead and at least have a car that’s super nice inside.

 

Consumer Reports list every year the ten dogs least reliable vehicles never to buy. Model Y is on the current list and the X and S has been on previous years. Overall 19 out of 24 in reliability.

 

Sounds right on the money to me. I’ve done many drain and fills on my 2014.5 Camry with the U760E tranny. After my dealership messed up doing a fluid exchange, first by overfilling, and when correcting- leaving it under filled (both causing issues), I learned how to do it myself. Bought a Scanguage2 to eliminate the guesswork on the temp. I know the previous generation tranny mated to the V6 (U660E) required a temperature range of 104-113. I would imagine the new tranny (UA80E) is the same. I haven’t researched it yet though, and don’t know for sure if the process is the same for this new tranny, because I won’t need to do my first drain and fill for another 20,000 miles. I’d be willing to bet it is, though. Now that I’ve done it so many times, I put just a few ounces over what it will take for the proper level. The more excess you put in, the longer it takes to get that dribble, all while the temp keeps increasing. I want the dribble at the lower versus higher temp, which to me means I’ll be at the higher end of the correct level versus the lower.

 

I think many dealerships won’t do it because they have little faith their techs can/will do it right.

 

I think it's funny that when he owned an ES, it was the perfect car. And now that he owns a Tesla, that's the perfect car. And regardless of which car he owns, he can't resist tooting his own horn.

 

Get a Toyota dealership to do it, this is a well documented approach and will cost half as much. They really won't do a flush, but rather a drain and fill. Unfortunately, you need to do that 3 times on a regular automatic tranny to get all the fluid out. On the eCVT I have seen just a single drain and fill.

 

They call them “fluid exchanges,” instead of flushes. The Toyota dealerships in my area do them.

 

There are machines that suck out the tranny fluid and are therefore legitimately doing a fluid exchange. I would go for something like that as I've had good experience with that service on a higher mileage vehicle.

 

I like this 8 speed tutorial. It's a Camry, but shares the same tranny as the 2019 on up ES350. There is no accessible filter to change and no transmission oil pan. The fluid level checking temp starts at 95 degrees rather than 104 as on the previous 6 speed.

 

These transmission without the strainer will fail prematurely if the fluid is not changed often.

 

Lexus declines to change tranny fluids, saying it's permanent. I asked them to change the fluid on my IS when it hit 30k and was starting to get noisier. They said it would be at my cost. I traded it in soon after...