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Gents, I recently did a transmission fluid flush on my 2003 LS430 the exact same way I did for my 1999 ES300. Very simple process, and it works for me as a DIY/shade tree mechanic. I don't think my transmission has ever been serviced, so I did the flush at 115K miles. The transmission now shifts a little smoother and I have peace of mind. I will spend the extra $$$ to do drain & refills from the pan every oil change to make me feel better. Ultimately, the transmission will last as long as the motor as long as you conduct routine preventive maintenance on them. See below link to see the way I did the transmission fluid flush in less than an hour!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Align drain bucket and attach 3/8" ID rubber hose on trans cooler line
2. Turn on vehicle and let it pull 1 qt at a time
3. Turn off vehicle once 1 qt is drained
4. Fill funnel on trans dipstick of 1 qt transmission fluid
5. Repeat until satisfied or cherry red fluid is flowing (I did 10qts)
Gents, I recently did a transmission fluid flush on my 2003 LS430 the exact same way I did for my 1999 ES300. Very simple process, and it works for me as a DIY/shade tree mechanic. I don't think my transmission has ever been serviced, so I did the flush at 115K miles. The transmission now shifts a little smoother and I have peace of mind. I will spend the extra $$$ to do drain & refills from the pan every oil change to make me feel better. Ultimately, the transmission will last as long as the motor as long as you conduct routine preventive maintenance on them. See below link to see the way I did the transmission fluid flush in less than an hour!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Align drain bucket and attach 3/8" ID rubber hose on trans cooler line
2. Turn on vehicle and let it pull 1 qt at a time
3. Turn off vehicle once 1 qt is drained
4. Fill funnel on trans dipstick of 1 qt transmission fluid
5. Repeat until satisfied or cherry red fluid is flowing (I did 10qts)
I would assume this is safe to do when the car is fully cold. If you had warm fluid coming out, it would be expanded in volume so that the amount of cold fluid you put back in would not match and you would overfill the trans. I do most of my own work but I take it to the Toyota dealer for this one so they can monitor the fluid temp via techstream. I have an 06 though with no dipstick.
I would assume this is safe to do when the car is fully cold. If you had warm fluid coming out, it would be expanded in volume so that the amount of cold fluid you put back in would not match and you would overfill the trans. I do most of my own work but I take it to the Toyota dealer for this one so they can monitor the fluid temp via techstream. I have an 06 though with no dipstick.
Either way it worked for me. I always check my fluids once a week to ensure I am not leaking any fluid. I always check my transmission fluid while the engine is warm and running.
I've been wanting to do this on my 04 for some time. Have the same mileage as OP but I think my trans does not have the dipstick...
Thanks for posting.
I believe its a similar process to a differential fluid flush. Drain the same way as the video does, but fill with a quart pump. Either way, I am happy for my 03' with a dipstick.
I've been wanting to do this on my 04 for some time. Have the same mileage as OP but I think my trans does not have the dipstick...
Thanks for posting.
Confirmed. The 2004-2006 LS430 transmission does not have a dipstick tube. The 04-06 ATF fill hole is located on the driver-side, hidden under a black cover. You can run a clear tube from the engine bay down to the transmission fill hole (see red dash line in the photo below).
Confirmed. The 2004-2006 LS430 transmission does not have a dipstick tube. The 04-06 ATF fill hole is located on the driver-side, hidden under a black cover. You can run a clear tube from the engine bay down to the transmission fill hole (see red dash line in the photo below).
The thermal volume expansion is only about 5%, much of the remainder is air entrainment (bubbles due to gear churning).
If removing hot and adding cold, stop at 1 pint low and drive conservatively until the temperature is normal. Then add as needed.
How to tell if it's safe: if it shifts normally, and doesn't "drop out of gear" there is enough fluid to keep the pump pick-up submerged.
That's exactly what I did actually. Filled a pint low, drove for 15 mins then checked level and added!
I wonder if you can have someone just pouring it in while it is feeding out quart for quart... I've given this job to Lexus every time but this video gives me the notion it can be done DIY
I wonder if you can have someone just pouring it in while it is feeding out quart for quart... I've given this job to Lexus every time but this video gives me the notion it can be done DIY
Yes, this process will work as well. I just preferred to do it like this since I wouldn't be able to fill as quick as it was draining. Either way, the job will get done!
02-23-18, 08:29 AM
How to do a Transmission Fluid Flush in 1 HR
