Transmission Fluid - Change or Not? (Merged threads)
#391
This reminds me of a conversation I had with one of the Chemical Engineers of Blackstone Oil analysis. Most of them actually own and drive Toyotas.
I asked about the 10k oil intervals. They said for the most part with good oil they were ok. I asked them if their cars had 10k oil change recommendations. They said yes. I asked if based on what they saw they changed at 10k? They said no, they change at 6.5k-7k. lol!
I asked about the 10k oil intervals. They said for the most part with good oil they were ok. I asked them if their cars had 10k oil change recommendations. They said yes. I asked if based on what they saw they changed at 10k? They said no, they change at 6.5k-7k. lol!
Tramsmissions get serviced regularly with top quality full synthetic fluids. Lifetime ATF? Please; "Lifetime" is not a measure.
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DaveGS4 (08-15-22)
#392
Pit Crew
This whole question has been solved years ago in the IS-F section.
Lexus defines lifetime @ 100K.
That is what corporate has told us for those that called.
SN: Good buddy is a lexus master tech; his personal recommendation is every 60K. Said he notices the fluid starts to darken around that time frame for new cars with no drain and fills from day one into service.
Lexus defines lifetime @ 100K.
That is what corporate has told us for those that called.
SN: Good buddy is a lexus master tech; his personal recommendation is every 60K. Said he notices the fluid starts to darken around that time frame for new cars with no drain and fills from day one into service.
#393
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (1)
Lubricants have consumables that need to be replenished. They breakdown over time. Fresh fluids are cheap insurance. I respect my tools; I make an effort to keep them up. A 10K oil change service terrifies me. I use a MityVac to do 5K (or less) oil changes; I swap the filter every 2nd or even 3rd OCI.
Transmissions get serviced regularly with top quality full synthetic fluids. Lifetime ATF? Please; "Lifetime" is not a measure.
Transmissions get serviced regularly with top quality full synthetic fluids. Lifetime ATF? Please; "Lifetime" is not a measure.
#394
Intermediate
i've stuck to 30k/60k for brake/trans fluids over owning several japanese cars in my lifetime.. prob overdoing it but whatever no biggie
#395
This whole question has been solved years ago in the IS-F section.
Lexus defines lifetime @ 100K.
That is what corporate has told us for those that called.
SN: Good buddy is a lexus master tech; his personal recommendation is every 60K. Said he notices the fluid starts to darken around that time frame for new cars with no drain and fills from day one into service.
Lexus defines lifetime @ 100K.
That is what corporate has told us for those that called.
SN: Good buddy is a lexus master tech; his personal recommendation is every 60K. Said he notices the fluid starts to darken around that time frame for new cars with no drain and fills from day one into service.
Gotta wonder why they just don't use "100K" instead of "Lifetime"....
Thanks in advance!
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jgscott (08-16-22)
#396
Lexus Test Driver
Your final decision on this topic (Change transmission fluid or not) is really quite simple.
While it is not recommended by the vehicle manufacturer (Toyota Motor Corporation/Lexus Division) - that produces 10 million vehicles per year - if it makes you feel better (i.e. peace-of-mind) to replace or flush your vehicle's transmission fluid - or do some 'drain-and-fills' - then if you own the vehicle (not leasing it) then by all means do it! It is your property, your car, and there is absolutely nothing that prevents you from doing it or having it done for you.
While some vehicle manufacturers would likely void the warranty if they learned that you had the transmission fluid replaced, if your car is out-of-warranty there is nothing legitimately at all preventing you from doing whatever you want to your car. You can fill your automatic transmission up with tequila if you wish!
The main determining factors on whether you should replace/change the 'lifetime' transmission fluid are these:
It should be noted that on-average people keep their vehicles only about 8 years. The average driver drives around 13,500 miles per year. That's about 100,000 miles in the 8 years of ownership! Surely, there will always be a select group of people that keep their vehicles much longer or drive more.
Some people will be involved in accidents that either total the vehicle long before it reaches 100k miles on the odometer, or the owner decides it is best to get rid of it after the accident.
I dare say that most Club Lexus members will not own their Lexus vehicle with lifetime automatic transmission fluid long enough to see 100,000 miles on their vehicle's odometer. However, there will be certainly exceptions.
As a final notation, there are a growing number of Toyota/Lexus vehicles with 'lifetime' automatic transmission fluid that have logged over two times (~200,000 miles) the purported 100k mileage life of the 'lifetime' automatic transmission fluid with absolutely no (zero) problems whatsoever.
While it is not recommended by the vehicle manufacturer (Toyota Motor Corporation/Lexus Division) - that produces 10 million vehicles per year - if it makes you feel better (i.e. peace-of-mind) to replace or flush your vehicle's transmission fluid - or do some 'drain-and-fills' - then if you own the vehicle (not leasing it) then by all means do it! It is your property, your car, and there is absolutely nothing that prevents you from doing it or having it done for you.
While some vehicle manufacturers would likely void the warranty if they learned that you had the transmission fluid replaced, if your car is out-of-warranty there is nothing legitimately at all preventing you from doing whatever you want to your car. You can fill your automatic transmission up with tequila if you wish!
The main determining factors on whether you should replace/change the 'lifetime' transmission fluid are these:
- How long do you plan to own the vehicle
- How many miles do you expect to put on the vehicle
- Do you intend to help preserve the vehicle for the next owner
It should be noted that on-average people keep their vehicles only about 8 years. The average driver drives around 13,500 miles per year. That's about 100,000 miles in the 8 years of ownership! Surely, there will always be a select group of people that keep their vehicles much longer or drive more.
Some people will be involved in accidents that either total the vehicle long before it reaches 100k miles on the odometer, or the owner decides it is best to get rid of it after the accident.
I dare say that most Club Lexus members will not own their Lexus vehicle with lifetime automatic transmission fluid long enough to see 100,000 miles on their vehicle's odometer. However, there will be certainly exceptions.
As a final notation, there are a growing number of Toyota/Lexus vehicles with 'lifetime' automatic transmission fluid that have logged over two times (~200,000 miles) the purported 100k mileage life of the 'lifetime' automatic transmission fluid with absolutely no (zero) problems whatsoever.
Last edited by bclexus; 08-17-22 at 05:16 AM. Reason: grammar
#397
Lexus Test Driver
It is lifetime for those who are just leasing their cars, regardless of the manufacturers.
I just don't like seeing threads like "My transmission is slipping after fluid change and it was fine before." That kind of thing scares me more than the actual transmission failing after 200K miles or so. Yes, I'm adding more worms to the already opened cans of ATF worms in here.
I just don't like seeing threads like "My transmission is slipping after fluid change and it was fine before." That kind of thing scares me more than the actual transmission failing after 200K miles or so. Yes, I'm adding more worms to the already opened cans of ATF worms in here.
Last edited by ItzFilyO; 08-16-22 at 10:38 AM.
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tompass (08-16-22)
#398
Intermediate
Agree. I posted early on in this discussion that I had a horrible experience with transmission fluid change in a previously owned BMW. Was done at a "German" shop that I always dealt with beginning with a Benz prior the BMW. Well don't know why but after the service, the transmission was trash. They would not take responsibility so had to limp in to nearest BMW dealer for the repair. Fortunately I had purchase an extended warranty, something necessary with any BMW out of warranty!, and ended up having the transmission replaced for $6K. Extended warranty covered cost of repair less deductible. So now am reluctant to service my '13 with 97K miles and will just roll the dice. I do not drive the car hard or tow or put many annual miles on the clock having two cars and retired.
#399
Lexus Test Driver
It is lifetime for those who are just leasing their cars, regardless of the manufacturers.
I just don't like seeing threads like "My transmission is slipping after fluid change and it was fine before." That kind of thing scares me more than the actual transmission failing after 200K miles or so. Yes, I'm adding more worms to the already opened cans of ATF worms in here.
I just don't like seeing threads like "My transmission is slipping after fluid change and it was fine before." That kind of thing scares me more than the actual transmission failing after 200K miles or so. Yes, I'm adding more worms to the already opened cans of ATF worms in here.
@ItzFilyO - And for you, with your car buying history, it is highly doubtful you'll even own the your current car three years from now - or have even close to half the purported 100k mileage life of the 'lifetime' automatic transmission fluid.
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tompass (08-16-22)
#400
Lexus Test Driver
Exactly!
@ItzFilyO - And for you, with your car buying history, it is highly doubtful you'll even own the your current car three years from now - or have even close to half the purported 100k mileage life of the 'lifetime' automatic transmission fluid.
@ItzFilyO - And for you, with your car buying history, it is highly doubtful you'll even own the your current car three years from now - or have even close to half the purported 100k mileage life of the 'lifetime' automatic transmission fluid.
Too bad Lexus doesn't have anything that interests me right now. The new LS doesn't really appeal to me and I hate that tablet on dash design. The new headlights don't look good either. The pre-refresh model looks better I think. RX drives better than my ES. Yes, u heard that right! What the F is going on with Lexus here?!
Last edited by ItzFilyO; 08-16-22 at 11:08 AM.
#401
Lexus Test Driver
I was going to keep this GS for a while but now shock's leaking and they can't find where that rattle noise is coming from. Not a good sign. I might just keep leasing cars and dump them before the warranty expires and never worry about repairs.
Too bad Lexus doesn't have anything that interests me right now. The new LS doesn't really appeal to me and I hate that tablet on dash design. The new headlights don't look good either. The pre-refresh model looks better I think. RX drives better than my ES. Yes, u heard that right! What the F is going on with Lexus here?!
Too bad Lexus doesn't have anything that interests me right now. The new LS doesn't really appeal to me and I hate that tablet on dash design. The new headlights don't look good either. The pre-refresh model looks better I think. RX drives better than my ES. Yes, u heard that right! What the F is going on with Lexus here?!
I have a Range Rover but if I buy another Lexus it'll probably be a SUV, not a sedan because nothing in their lineup interests me.
So, did you remember to ask how much the AVS shock replacement for your GS 350 would have cost if it had not been under warranty?
#402
Lexus Test Driver
@ItzFilyO - I tend to agree with you about what Lexus has to offer.
I have a Range Rover but if I buy another Lexus it'll probably be a SUV, not a sedan because nothing in their lineup interests me.
So, did you remember to ask how much the AVS shock replacement for your GS 350 would have cost if it had not been under warranty?
I have a Range Rover but if I buy another Lexus it'll probably be a SUV, not a sedan because nothing in their lineup interests me.
So, did you remember to ask how much the AVS shock replacement for your GS 350 would have cost if it had not been under warranty?
#403
Pole Position
Glad I got my GS when I did, nothing in the Lexus line up interests me either. I sure hope the dealer didn't damage anything on your car ITZ. Ya might wanna look it over before ya leave the dealership.
#404
Lead Lap
@ItzFilyO - I tend to agree with you about what Lexus has to offer.
I have a Range Rover but if I buy another Lexus it'll probably be a SUV, not a sedan because nothing in their lineup interests me.
So, did you remember to ask how much the AVS shock replacement for your GS 350 would have cost if it had not been under warranty?
I have a Range Rover but if I buy another Lexus it'll probably be a SUV, not a sedan because nothing in their lineup interests me.
So, did you remember to ask how much the AVS shock replacement for your GS 350 would have cost if it had not been under warranty?
#405
Lexus Test Driver