Hello!
Im coming up to 60K and have a lexus tech on the side that will do a drain and fill if I supply the WS fluid. he said he has never done a 430 tranny service (04-06) he does not have a machine ( does not believe in them- as he thinks that they do more harm than good) But has the special service tool to do it. anyway- do you know how many qts it takes for a drain and fill? I read about 2.4 Now lets say I get 8 qt's to do 3 drain and fills, would this be worth it? As the tech said he would simply run the car and shift through the gears to mix up the old and new fluid for each drain cycle. but is this enough to truly mix the fluid or do you think the car has to be driven around for a couple of miles. my thoughts would be you would have to drive around to make the mixing happen. I obviously don't want to waste his time, but I don't want to waste my money either.

 

You have a lexus tech on the side, but won't listen to his advice? Then do whatever you want to, but be aware that if you insult the tech, he's free to do whatever he wants to do also.

 

Please don't misunderstand. I trust him, I am just having a dialogue with my fellow clublexus people. I just would have thought that driving would be necessary to have the fluid mix a little more. I'm just thinking of the tranny in my head and how much sloshing around the fluid might need. For example, when we do the turkey baster method of PS fluid, we drive a round a little to mix the fluid up well. He seems very knowledgable. Just wanting have a dialogue with you all. I would never insult him. I'm just thinking outloud.

 

Wish I had an answer for you. Cars are more of a hobby/passion for me, not really a career direction (though I wish knew more). My advice would be to ask your tech this question. Explain how you see it and address your concerns. Since you are approaching him/her in a civilized and professional manner, there is no reason why the tech won't explain the benefits for the methods they use. They know that customers want to get the most for their money. After all, they are customers outside of the dealership too.

 

Good question - I know that the transmission is essentially a large hydraulic device and that the fluid is pumped through the trans as the gears are changed. Not sure if it would be better (more fully distributed) if the car was driven through the gears rather than just being stationary as gear shifter is moved. .

My only semi-informed guess is that it would be better to drive the car for a couple of miles and let it go through the gear ranges between each drain and fill. I don't think your tech would object if you are willing to pay for the extra time involved - it would take them longer and therefore will up the labor cost.

 

Look at Lexus recommended service. It states nothing until after 100k miles. Why are you concerned when you have another 40k or more miles before it is needed. Relax, go for a walk, read a newspaper, catch up on your favorite TV show. For the time being your transmission doesn't need you.

 

+1^^^^^^doesnt need to be changed yet.

 

How does the fluid look presently? Nice bright red or...?

Color is a good indicator but not always. One can be OCD and have it analyzed. Then you have an idea for the driving that you do how long the tranny fluid is serviceable. Even though by reading the above replies at 100K, it is still wise to monitor it for changes.

For us older LS generation drivers, our interval is 60K miles. By then, the Type IV fluid is becoming obviously brownish. We do an incremental drain method ~2.X quarts each oil drain interval. What drains out of the pan is replaced. Simple and accurate. No over or underfilling. There is fresh fluid circulating and this maintains the tranny fluid additive package. After extended use, it may begin to wear/break down and not provide sufficient lubricity. (Think similar to the engine motor oil.)

Up to you. ~$10 in Type IV fluid isn't a big expense added to the oil change drains. Especially if you DIY. If you want this to be a long term car...it is a good measure to have in mind.

Edit I should be reading the sticky...for the WS ATF. No need, leave it be.

 

There is a link on tranny fluid change under the FAQ sticky at the top of this forum https://www.clublexus.com/forums/3379549-post11.html

But why do you think it needs changing? It is supposed to be "lifetime" anyway. 60k is nothing on this synthetic ATF-WS.

 

The procedure requires some special Toyota tools (SST) which few can justify owning. I wonder if it would suffice to use an infrared temperature gun pointed to tranmission oil pan bottom to check fluid temperature. Any thoughts? The procedure seem to require a narrow temp range to accurate fluid level check.

 

Draining and refilling a couple times just to get fresh fluid is a waste of time/money to be honest. If you want to get most of the fluid replaced, then have the car pump transmission fluid out of the cooler line (goes to the radiator) as you pour in new fluid into the car. It's essentially a flush, but without the negativity associated with a chemical or pressurized flush. Search around and you'll probably find a DIY. Once you're done, open the overfill plug and add/drain fluid if necessary.

However at the mileage you're at, it's probably better to do one single drain and refill.

 

I would think an infrared gun would be fine as long as you can figure the thermal resistance of the pan and resulting temperature drop. Being metal, it is probably low, maybe 5F difference?

There is talk of changing the fluid even though not recommended by Lexus. Only a check at 100k. IF you wanted to change the fluid (which I could see after 100k), is there not also a filter and/or magnets with which you would be concerned about replacing or cleaning along with the new fluid?

 

Curious, thanks for you input. Nevertheless, I am from the school of taking care of things before they actually need it. if it gets to the point of needing it, then unnecessary wear has already begun. As good as these cars are, I still would rather give my car TLC, rather than the minimum required maintenance. There are other threads here that discuss the pros and "cons" of replacing the the tranny fluid before 100k on these new sealed systems. Honestly, A simple drain and fill cant hurt, there will be no pressure flush on the system, just a fluid freshening if you will. It will simply take a few years off the fluid. Thats good enough for me. Yes, I am OCD with this car. I want to keep it is best as I can.

 

makes me wonder why Lexus calls it a "life time fluid" when so many are anxious to replace it,, guess the mfg is wrong,,???????????????????????????/

Derry

 

I'm not saying that the mfg is wrong per se. But "lifetime" is open to too much interpretation and I'm not taking any chances with my car, so therefore, I think of it as cheap insurance and TLC to the car. I don't care what the manufacturer says, as long as I am not doing something the mfg says explicitily not to do, I would rather know that there is cleaner fluid in my car. Would you want to be that guy that runs into tranny problems down the line and think to himself, "I wonder what would have been if I had done a little 'unneeded' maintance earlier in the cars life?" 100 bucks to do a little drain and fill is nothing when it costs 70 bucks to fill the gas tank. Is Lexus going to give you a new tranny at 100k or later if in fact you need one after following their reccomendations? Are you going to call Lexus and tell them that you feel that yours cars "lifetime" was cut short due to a bad tranny? I know Lexus is not going to do jack for you if your tranny should develop issues after your warranty expires, so go ahead and leave this amazing fluid in there, just because lexus says so.