Jesseskillz

It's time for the regular maintenance on my car, but when I tried to schedule an appointment with my mechanic, I found out he moved his business to Arizona. After visiting three different shops, none of them were willing to change the transmission fluid, despite their websites claiming they offer the service. Even a transmission specialist advised against it, which I find hard to believe. Now, I'm left with no choice but to attempt it myself, though I'm not very knowledgeable about car mechanics. Any guidance, steps, tools, or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you."

Clutchless

Toyota/Lexus hybrids do not use a normal transmission and none of the maintenance stuff you are worried about applies.
It has a Power Transfer Unit that has a single gear. There are no clutches or solenoids. The fluid is good for over 50,000 miles.
It moves power between the gas engine and the electric motor.
To change the fluid is a simple drain and fill that is as easy as changing motor oil. It holds about 4 quarts. Drain, then fill it up until the fill hole overflows then put the fill hole bolt in and you are done. Do not go to the dealer. Find a good independent Japanese car shop or hybrid specialist shop. There are several youtube videos - look for Toyota Camry hybrid transmission fluid change.
It takes Toyota WS ATF or Idemitsu TLS-LV transmission fluid, about 4 quarts
See this thread https://www.clublexus.com/forums/hs-...fluid-now.html

and this one https://www.toyotanation.com/threads...hange.1437394/

You Tube

and this from the Car Care Nut who is a Toyota Master Tech

You Tube

Jesseskillz

I appreciate your prompt response, and I apologize for revisiting a question you’ve answered before. This time, I’m taking matters into my own hands—I want to tackle this myself without any mishaps. It’s been about 8 years since I last owned a car, and the world of CVT hybrids has me a bit bewildered. I’ll diligently review your videos a few more times to ensure I get it right. Thank you once again for your assistance—I’m feeling more confident now.

Clutchless

A couple of tips. Get one the fluid hand pump that will screw into the top of the bottle as it helps with getting fluid into the transmission. You have to pump it in from below. See links below.

Get the Idemitsu ATF from Amazon. Just get a 5 quart jug.

Get this fluid pump. It is the one I use.

Jesseskillz

I am considering buying the ATF fluid, but I am wondering if it would be better for me to get a Transmission Fluid Exchanger Machine. The machine claims to drain, clean, and add new transmission fluid, which could save me the trouble of making a mess. Since I need to change the fluid every 50,000 miles, it might be worth investing in the machine. What do you think?

Clutchless

Bad idea that will not work.
You cannot do a fluid exchange on this transmission. It is more like a manual transmission. It does not have the cooler lines required to perform a fluid exchange.

You are wasting money on a fluid exchanger machine that you cannot use on this transmission and I thought they cost thousands of dollars. They operate by sending fluid out and in via the transmission cooler lines and this transmission does not have a cooler or cooler lines.
You can only do a drain and fill. It only has a drain bolt and a fill bolt. You fill it until fluid flows out the fill hole.

It is not difficult to pump the fluid into the transmission. Maybe there is an electric pump that fits into the bottle, but I just made that up and do not know if it exists. I think if you have the energy to jack up your car and drain the fluid, then you have the energy to pump new fluid back into the transmission.
The car does need to be on jack stands and level.

Jesseskillz

Say no more drain and fill it is. I won't waste no more of your time thanks for all the generous tips. Wish me luck.

Jesseskillz

Clutchless before I start the big project I just had 2 questions that's been bugging me. After looking at the transmission fluid change videos there saying stick with the original transmission fluid. I bought the fluid you recommended which is the idemitsu ATF. Is that going to be a issue. And number 2 if I do the transmission fluid change do I have to do one for the differential as well. Keep in mind I only bought 5 gallons of transmission fluid please let me know thanks in advance.

Clutchless

Stop worrying. There are always folks who state that you should always stick to the original fluid and just as many who use aftermarket fluids. However, the Idemitsu fluid is better than Toyota WS!

Idemitsu is a perfect replacement fluid designed to meet all Toyota specifications. I am running it in my HS250h, RX350 and Toyota Sienna! It works great! I have previously run MAG1 full synthetic low viscosity ATF in the HS250 and RX350 and that worked great in both vehicles too and it was more of a universal ATF. So just do it!

There is no separate differential. It is inside the transmission! Just change the fluid and move on.

However if you really bought 5 gallons of ATF that is probably a lifetime supply. I hope you meant that you bought 5 quarts!

Jesseskillz

LoL yes 5 quarts my mistake. Ok well wish me luck I got all my tools my jack stands everything you need to get this done. Its been over a month getting to know this engine and practicing the steps I need to accomplish this mission. Feels like Iam taking a test that I need to pass. Tell me why Iam do nervous well enough said here I go.

Clutchless

Relax and watch the videos again. This is a very simple job!

Jesseskillz

Well it's done ,and let me say that the car runs so smooth. I feel so relieved that I got this out of the way. I would like to thank clutchless for supporting me with this. I know sometimes I was annoying asking the same old questions ,but I just had to get it right. Now I could keep this car for a couple more years. Thanks again...

Erockzny

Why can't you just go to Lexus to get the transmission fluid changed?


I had my transmission replaced during the recall,.should I do it to? It's maybe been about 100,000 miles since

Clutchless

It would be good preventive maintenance to change it now. As stated above, to change the fluid on this is an easy drain and fill, similar to changing engine oil. Do not let any moron service writers at a dealer try to sell you a flush because you cannot flush this unit. If you have any independent hybrid or transmission or Toyota specialty repair shops around, call them up and get a few quotes to do this transaxle fluid change. Then call the Lexus dealer and maybe a Toyota dealer as this is the same as the Camry hybrid. You will be shocked at the BS they tell you and at the price variations to do this simple job.