ES300h - Need for Transmission Oil Change?
11-07-21, 06:54 AM
#31
The truth is the Toyota/Lexus hybrid transmissions are extremely reliable even without any fluid changes. The percentage of failed hybrid transmission is much lower than the regular auto transmission and this is probably because the design is different and more robust. However, a hybrid transmission fluid ATF-WS change is simpler than an oil change. Just drain and fill until fluid comes out of the fill plug. No filters, no dipstick just make sure car is level and flat and use the correct fluid with a clean plastic hand pump. Here is a good video.
11-07-21, 11:54 AM
#32
Driver School Candidate
So is it recommended to change it or should you keep the same fluid? It seems unreasonable to assume that the fluid won’t break down with so many heat cycles. However, I’ve heard that changing the fluid can negatively effect the transmission which may just be an old wise tale. So who knows?
11-07-21, 04:05 PM
#33
So is it recommended to change it or should you keep the same fluid? It seems unreasonable to assume that the fluid won’t break down with so many heat cycles. However, I’ve heard that changing the fluid can negatively effect the transmission which may just be an old wise tale. So who knows?
11-08-21, 01:51 AM
#34
The truth is the Toyota/Lexus hybrid transmissions are extremely reliable even without any fluid changes. The percentage of failed hybrid transmission is much lower than the regular auto transmission and this is probably because the design is different and more robust. However, a hybrid transmission fluid ATF-WS change is simpler than an oil change. Just drain and fill until fluid comes out of the fill plug. No filters, no dipstick just make sure car is level and flat and use the correct fluid with a clean plastic hand pump. Here is a good video.
https://youtu.be/I1fP-RKsqG0
https://youtu.be/I1fP-RKsqG0
Nothing wrong about changing the oil. But you have to follow exacting procedures from the service manual or you get the levels wrong. Is not as simple as drain and fill. You have to drain, fill, get to the right temp, move through the gears, let the excess fluid overflow etc. ensure your car is Level, no more incline to more than 1 degrees.
One of the reasons Toyota don’t recommended oil change as most shops don’t follow the exact procedure and does more harm than good to the eCVT. Even the Car Nut Guy omit the temperature procedure.
Last edited by 703; 11-08-21 at 01:56 AM.
11-08-21, 03:43 PM
#35
Nothing wrong about changing the oil. But you have to follow exacting procedures from the service manual or you get the levels wrong. Is not as simple as drain and fill. You have to drain, fill, get to the right temp, move through the gears, let the excess fluid overflow etc. ensure your car is Level, no more incline to more than 1 degrees.
One of the reasons Toyota don’t recommended oil change as most shops don’t follow the exact procedure and does more harm than good to the eCVT. Even the Car Nut Guy omit the temperature procedure.
One of the reasons Toyota don’t recommended oil change as most shops don’t follow the exact procedure and does more harm than good to the eCVT. Even the Car Nut Guy omit the temperature procedure.
11-09-21, 01:52 AM
#36
Good points except the temperature. A lot of transmissions these days need to check fluid at specific temperatures including my Mazda 3 and an Audi I owned which complicates the procedure. Luckily, the Lexus ES 300h does not need any specific temperature to check the transaxle fluid level. You can check the fluid level with engine off. The manual notes that if you added or replaced fluid you need to drive the car and then recheck it again. This reminds me when you suppose to re-torque the wheels 50 miles after tire rotation.
08-30-22, 08:52 AM
#37
2nd gear
Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: Nc
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Right, I also looked at the repair manual, when replacing fluid, you're supposed to use GTS to put the car in maintenance mode so the engine spins when in READY mode, idle for 30 seconds, turn car off. Open the filler plug, let the fluid overflow out of the filler nozzle, then your level is set.
09-01-22, 03:54 AM
#39
2nd gear
Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: Nc
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
12-07-22, 01:00 PM
#40
10-04-23, 10:53 PM
#41
12-15-23, 01:30 AM
#43
12-18-23, 08:44 AM
#44
YES original hybrid battery and 12v aux, tans and brake fluid never change
Hit a flood last week so it probably gonne get written off by insurance tho
I also previously had a GS450h and had 263k on that original; tranny fluid, and inverter coolant.
Hit a flood last week so it probably gonne get written off by insurance tho
I also previously had a GS450h and had 263k on that original; tranny fluid, and inverter coolant.
Last edited by samsonn25; 12-26-23 at 06:50 PM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post