Transmission Fluid - Change or Not? (Merged threads)
08-16-22, 12:05 PM
#407
Forum Administrator
iTrader: (2)
I generally agree with your comments above BC except I’d note it’s your opinion and not the “final decision” because you put it in bold, lol.
If I were leasing a new vehicle with lifetime fluid with intent to turn in, I definitely wouldn’t pay to change it.
If I was keeping it or buying used and driving over 100k I would change it every 60-70k with a drain and fill, not a flush.
on these two I’d disagree. There are tons of members with higher mileage Lexus here, and that number is growing every day. Most are secondhand buyers and are considering what preventative maintenance to do to keep their vehicle running well long term.
As those higher mileage cars get older if their transmission fluid isn’t changed it absolutely can cause issues. I know personally, I’m one of them (I put that in bold so you know I’m right, lol). I bought my LS430 CPO and drove it a ton, it was one of the first Lexus to use the lifetime fluid sealed transmissions. As it hit 140k miles it started to have some issues with slipping under certain conditions. I actually had to argue with my Lexus dealer service guy to do the drain and fill because they said “it’s lifetime” and escalated to the service manager to get them to do it. That fixed my issues and the transmission is still going fine after 250k now with a new owner (I sold at about 230k). There are plenty of similar threads across the different model forums as well as a lot of threads with folks with issues after getting a transmission flush. YMMV
If I were leasing a new vehicle with lifetime fluid with intent to turn in, I definitely wouldn’t pay to change it.
If I was keeping it or buying used and driving over 100k I would change it every 60-70k with a drain and fill, not a flush.
I dare say that most every Club Lexus member will not own their Lexus vehicle with lifetime automatic transmission fluid long enough to see 100,000 miles on their vehicle's odometer.
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.
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.
As those higher mileage cars get older if their transmission fluid isn’t changed it absolutely can cause issues. I know personally, I’m one of them (I put that in bold so you know I’m right, lol). I bought my LS430 CPO and drove it a ton, it was one of the first Lexus to use the lifetime fluid sealed transmissions. As it hit 140k miles it started to have some issues with slipping under certain conditions. I actually had to argue with my Lexus dealer service guy to do the drain and fill because they said “it’s lifetime” and escalated to the service manager to get them to do it. That fixed my issues and the transmission is still going fine after 250k now with a new owner (I sold at about 230k). There are plenty of similar threads across the different model forums as well as a lot of threads with folks with issues after getting a transmission flush. YMMV
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jgscott (08-16-22)
08-16-22, 12:07 PM
#408
Lead Lap
08-16-22, 12:09 PM
#409
Lexus Test Driver
Does the 450h come with AVS standard?
08-16-22, 12:16 PM
#410
Lead Lap
08-16-22, 12:49 PM
#411
I generally agree with your comments above BC except I’d note it’s your opinion and not the “final decision” because you put it in bold, lol.
If I were leasing a new vehicle with lifetime fluid with intent to turn in, I definitely wouldn’t pay to change it.
If I was keeping it or buying used and driving over 100k I would change it every 60-70k with a drain and fill, not a flush.
on these two I’d disagree. There are tons of members with higher mileage Lexus here, and that number is growing every day. Most are secondhand buyers and are considering what preventative maintenance to do to keep their vehicle running well long term.
As those higher mileage cars get older if their transmission fluid isn’t changed it absolutely can cause issues. I know personally, I’m one of them (I put that in bold so you know I’m right, lol). I bought my LS430 CPO and drove it a ton, it was one of the first Lexus to use the lifetime fluid sealed transmissions. As it hit 140k miles it started to have some issues with slipping under certain conditions. I actually had to argue with my Lexus dealer service guy to do the drain and fill because they said “it’s lifetime” and escalated to the service manager to get them to do it. That fixed my issues and the transmission is still going fine after 250k now with a new owner (I sold at about 230k). There are plenty of similar threads across the different model forums as well as a lot of threads with folks with issues after getting a transmission flush. YMMV
If I were leasing a new vehicle with lifetime fluid with intent to turn in, I definitely wouldn’t pay to change it.
If I was keeping it or buying used and driving over 100k I would change it every 60-70k with a drain and fill, not a flush.
on these two I’d disagree. There are tons of members with higher mileage Lexus here, and that number is growing every day. Most are secondhand buyers and are considering what preventative maintenance to do to keep their vehicle running well long term.
As those higher mileage cars get older if their transmission fluid isn’t changed it absolutely can cause issues. I know personally, I’m one of them (I put that in bold so you know I’m right, lol). I bought my LS430 CPO and drove it a ton, it was one of the first Lexus to use the lifetime fluid sealed transmissions. As it hit 140k miles it started to have some issues with slipping under certain conditions. I actually had to argue with my Lexus dealer service guy to do the drain and fill because they said “it’s lifetime” and escalated to the service manager to get them to do it. That fixed my issues and the transmission is still going fine after 250k now with a new owner (I sold at about 230k). There are plenty of similar threads across the different model forums as well as a lot of threads with folks with issues after getting a transmission flush. YMMV
You need only to do a search in the 3rd Gen, and 2nd Gen IS350 forum to see there are Trans problems that pop up regularly with the same Trans we have. It happens.
08-16-22, 01:04 PM
#412
They all do that I have asked about their own cars and trucks. When I use to say to them what about the lifetime fluid, they would just change put their chins down, change expressions and look at me in silence.
If anyone wants to go to a Toyota Dealer and ask them for this service code, this is what I have paid one time I did not do it myself on my ES350.
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JeffKeryk (08-20-22)
08-16-22, 02:49 PM
#413
I service my transmissions. I care about my tools, and cars are expensive tools. Ownership duration does not matter to me; I believe in proper maintenance.
This attitude extends beyong my tools; I used it in my career and it has served me well. Go the extra mile. It works. That's my experience.
This attitude extends beyong my tools; I used it in my career and it has served me well. Go the extra mile. It works. That's my experience.
08-16-22, 04:44 PM
#414
Lexus Test Driver
@bclexus off-topic but what has been your ownership experience with the Range Rover? Older/newer? Full size or sport? Pricey repairs and general upkeep?
It most definitely is not an inexpensive vehicle to own and maintain. If you have the dealership handle the recommended and scheduled maintenance such as oil & filter changes, fluids, batteries, tires, alignment, rotation, software/firmware updates and calibrations, etc. it's nothing to have it cost over a thousand bucks every time you take it in. If you're the type that balks at high dealership maintenance charges you probably should not consider one. If you prefer to do your own maintenance you likewise should not consider one because all the maintenance items are quiet expensive and often very unique to the model making it difficult to maintain as a DIY'er. Other than that, it's really nice!
Last edited by bclexus; 08-17-22 at 04:45 AM. Reason: grammar
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AJLex19 (08-17-22)
08-17-22, 05:19 AM
#415
Lexus Test Driver
@ItzFilyO - Yes, the GS 450h has AVS standard with all the drive modes just like the F-Sport. My GS 450h however is not a F-Sport so it doesn't have the problematic front brakes.
Last edited by bclexus; 08-17-22 at 05:26 AM. Reason: grammar
08-17-22, 05:23 AM
#416
Lexus Test Driver
@AJLex19 - My 2018 GS 450h has AVS shocks and all the drive modes but is not a F-Sport. I'm glad I don't have the F-Sport's problematic front brakes.
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AJLex19 (08-17-22)
08-17-22, 07:23 AM
#417
Lexus Test Driver
But I don't have the F-Sport's problematic front brakes either. 
08-17-22, 08:00 AM
#418
Lead Lap
@AJLex19 - It's a 2018 Range Rover Sport with the 340-hp, 3.0-liter supercharged V-6. It has a really nice interior with great comfort. I like the styling and it has lots of really nice features, nice navigation, color HUD and 8-speaker high wattage premium sound system, etc. The suspension has the rear air springs and adaptive dampers. The MPG rating is only fair (about the same as the GS 350) at 17mpg city and 23 mpg highway, but it's a heavy vehicle weighing almost 5,000 lbs so in that regard it's not too bad. It has a tendency to wear tires quickly due to the vehicle's weight and four wheel drive.
It most definitely is not an inexpensive vehicle to own and maintain. If you have the dealership handle the recommended and scheduled maintenance such as oil & filter changes, fluids, batteries, tires, alignment, rotation, software/firmware updates and calibrations, etc. it's nothing to have it cost over a thousand bucks every time you take it in. If you're the type that balks at high dealership maintenance charges you probably should not consider one. If you prefer to do your own maintenance you likewise should not consider one because all the maintenance items are quiet expensive and often very unique to the model making it difficult to maintain as a DIY'er. Other than that, it's really nice!
It most definitely is not an inexpensive vehicle to own and maintain. If you have the dealership handle the recommended and scheduled maintenance such as oil & filter changes, fluids, batteries, tires, alignment, rotation, software/firmware updates and calibrations, etc. it's nothing to have it cost over a thousand bucks every time you take it in. If you're the type that balks at high dealership maintenance charges you probably should not consider one. If you prefer to do your own maintenance you likewise should not consider one because all the maintenance items are quiet expensive and often very unique to the model making it difficult to maintain as a DIY'er. Other than that, it's really nice!
@AJLex19 - My 2018 GS 450h has AVS shocks and all the drive modes but is not a F-Sport. I'm glad I don't have the F-Sport's problematic front brakes.
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bclexus (08-17-22)
08-17-22, 09:11 AM
#419
Lexus Test Driver
Thanks for the feedback thats certainly in line with everything i've heard from owners. Been contemplating a 2014-2017 RRS even made an offer on a 2014 HSE V6 w/39k miles earlier this year...they aren't a dealership that does that non-negotiating, one-price, no haggling...but they wouldn't take a penny less than asking!
Didn't realize all 4GS hybrids had AVS as standard...learn something new everyday
Didn't realize all 4GS hybrids had AVS as standard...learn something new everyday
Last edited by bclexus; 08-17-22 at 09:56 AM. Reason: Added data sheet w/ AVS part numbers for all 4GS models
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AJLex19 (08-17-22)
08-18-22, 09:18 AM
#420
Driver School Candidate
Mine is sealed - at least that's what my LExus tech told me.