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How to determine how much transmission fluid to refill with?
Just took my gx460 2010 into the shop to get the recall done on the pump. They wanted something like $1200 to replace the gasket and refill it. Needs done but I am rather handy so I'm going to replace it myself. Most guide say to capture the amount that came out and replace it with the exact amount that was removed. This makes sense however in my case there is an unknown amount that was lost. Is there a good way to determine how much transmission fluid I should add once replaced? Also in the past when replacing gaskets with my mechanic friend he added some brown fluid to the gasket before sealing it. What was that and should I do something similar? I think it was this https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c...s-gx460?pos=13
Not sure if this has been posted before. But I came across this video where the author drops the pan (alternatively do a drain and refill) then replaces the rest of the fluid using the outlet in the ATF warmer/heater/thermostat.
Not really a "flush" per-se because he's using the vehicle ATF pump to send the old fluid out (no power tools).
Just wondering if anyone tried this method on the GX? I have done something similar on my Land Cruiser but using the transmission cooler outlet (on the radiator). Drove the vehicle for years after that with no issues at all until sold.
Performed a drain and fill on my 2014 with 111k on the clock. Not sure if done in the past, as I bought it 2 years ago with 82k.
Pinned open thermostat:
Drained 2.5 quarts:
Pumped in almost 3 qts:
Hand pump leaves about 4 oz in bottle so combine left over into one and pumped rest in. Leaving about 4 oz left over so almost 3 quarts in. Started up car and went through gears then waited for go time.
Go time with TC at 115 on my OBD Link MX+:
About half a quart came out of check plug. Used @AlexDev tip about “trickle” definition in post 600 in this thread. Also used DIY Maintenance Quick Reference by @renau001 for socket sizes and torque specs on fill, drain and check. New crush washers put on drain and check plugs.
Folks may want to stock drain plug on hand. I had to stop by Lexus last time as I slightly over torqued it (I did 29 - spec for fill plug, shall be 12 to 15 for drain plug). Lexus close to me had last one in stock. I was really stupid that day, torqued to 29 and took it off w/o first confirming I have a backup plug.
Just completed a couple transmission drain and replace cycles (as well as the differentials) on my 2015 GX and just wanted to say thanks to this community as the instructions here were really helpful; especially the original instructions and follow-up by Acrad! Made the process much simpler to complete. The only part that I had some difficulty was getting it into the temperature detection mode and found this video on how to initiate the temperature detection mode and how the dash reacts
Not sure if this has been posted before. But I came across this video where the author drops the pan (alternatively do a drain and refill) then replaces the rest of the fluid using the outlet in the ATF warmer/heater/thermostat.
Not really a "flush" per-se because he's using the vehicle ATF pump to send the old fluid out (no power tools).
Just wondering if anyone tried this method on the GX? I have done something similar on my Land Cruiser but using the transmission cooler outlet (on the radiator). Drove the vehicle for years after that with no issues at all until sold.
Love his concept of drain/fill via t-stat hose around 17:00... between that and raising front wheels to angle fluid back closer to raised drain, why wouldn't I do both of these to get a more complete drain/fill? Seems like a great idea.
After paying my local Toyota folks $180 to do a single 3qt drain/fill w/Valvoline Maxlife synth, at 80k miles, my '14 shifts *much* more smoothly... I was genuinely shocked, but $180ea is nuts after seeing how easy it is here.
I'm also sending my original ATF to Blackstone so folks here have another data point, results to follow in a few weeks.
I performed a trans service on a new to me GX. 250k miles and did not see any indication the fluid has ever been changed. Some might say bold move at that mileage?
The fasteners and drain/fill looked untouched however the magnets were rotated 90 degrees in the pan from how they should be.
All good so far and it shifts very smooth. It was not rough previously, but does feel smoother and especially when cold.
Bought a new OEM pan gasket and filter and performed a pan drop and filter change. Very slight weeping starting on the pan gasket. Several slightly loose pan bolts and the old gasket was very crispy.
Used 12 quarts of Idemitsu TLS-LV and performed a fluid exchange exactly as shown in the video in Post #605 above (very thorough video).
I was going to add a diagram here showing which cooler hose I removed but that video covers it. I worked at the heat exchanger instead of the radiator since it is easier to access and right next to the trans for refilling.
I wish I had seen this video prior to starting. I removed this same cooler line that is marked as return in the Toyota diagrams, and fluid definitely comes out of BOTH the heat exchanger and the return hose. He does not appear to have the thermostat pinned so I wonder if that's why it is barely coming out of the exchanger side. It was high flow from the exchanger side for me. I would recommend not pinning the thermostat after seeing the video unless you are prepared – caught me by surprise on the first 2 quarts...
Fluid was dark brown and seemed thickened but was not burned smelling.
At two quarts to go on the exchanging the fluid started getting redder. At 12 quarts it looked almost new red. I honestly wish I had 2-4 more quarts to really push new fluid through but it is pretty close.
I've used this method before on other vehicles and it is really satisfying to see that transition point in the fluid color. Much more thorough than a drain and fill only with dirty fluid.
I'll try a drain and fill in a few thousand miles to see how it looks.
Hi, I’m new to the GX and this forum.This site is priceless in value.
I wholeheartedly agree with Southpaw85, based on my experience with ATF change on a different car, the Acura RDX. That car was dunning rough, making weird noises etc. After an ATF change (more like a transfusion through the dipstick ) every month or so, it runs like new. All issues resolved. I’m no expert but the ATF I sucked out the first time was so nasty; not a trace of pink; it got pinkish one transfusion after another. The improvement in the ride quality was directly correlated with the pinkishness. I learned a life lesson!
So, the first thing I did as soon as I bought the 2023 GX was read the manual and as others have pointed out, not requiring ATF for 150K miles baffles me. The caveat of course is “ with towing and very slow speed driving” they do recommend ATF replacement at 60K and 120K. I absolutely plan to ask for this to be done at those intervals, towing or not. Is it just the users word that the Lexus dealership go by as to “ Towing or Slow speed driving “? That is unclear to me.
Originally Posted by southpaw85
Hey everybody, acquired my first Lexus last month and have been reading the forums before and after my purchase.
I bought a high mileage, but well taken care of 2012 gx. 154,000 miles.
It ran ok, but I’ve put about $1,200 into 8 new spark plugs, a fuel system cleaning and a transmission fluid change.
The transmission fluid change made the biggest improvement in smoothness. My Lexus dealer service department said it’s pretty much a 100,000 mile fluid and mine had never been changed. They said it was getting nasty. I mentioned my hesitation in getting the service because of the sealed transmission. They unequivocally said it will benefit the vehicle. I know, money for them, right.
For those who are convinced it’s not necessary, I probably won’t change your mind, but for those not sure, I can tell you it absolutely made transmission shifts smoother and the ride enjoyment that much better.
I completely understand where you're coming from---its risky to let even a fairly experienced tech monkey around with a trans that, like other commenters have pointed out, even though we are looking to optimize durability and performance, if the transmission is not experiencing extreme use and temperatures during its lifetime the fluid may never break down enough to warrant changing it...
On the other hand, there's no denying that IF you could be sure it was re-filled and properly done every 60k, that it would be preferred over leaving it untouched for the life of the truck, potentially half a million miles.
Since I don't have a lift, what I think the obsessive guys like me are really looking for is this:
To study-up thoroughly on the official Lexus/Toyota drain-and-fill procedure, find a mechanic who is an enthusiast and familiar with the process and has done it many times...and is cool enough to let us watch/assist while he does it!
There's a few Lexus/Toyota techs with youtube channels who fit this bill---if it were doable, I'd travel to them but the guy I like (Ahmed from Car Care Nut is in Chicago.
Anybody know of any Toyota/Lexus specialists in South Florida?
Since I don't have a lift, what I think the obsessive guys like me are really looking for is this:
To study-up thoroughly on the official Lexus/Toyota drain-and-fill procedure, find a mechanic who is an enthusiast and familiar with the process and has done it many times...and is cool enough to let us watch/assist while he does it!
FWIW I really don't think this fluid change requires a lift. You can jack up the front of the car only for the actual drain/fill/exchange work and place the vehicle on the ground for the final level check, or put the vehicle on 4 ramps / jack stands.
I worked on two jack stands and then placed the car back on the ground for the final fluid check.
07-09-23, 10:34 AM
How to determine how much transmission fluid to refill with?
