Trans Fluid Change? "NO"
10-04-21, 06:49 AM
#46
Pole Position
I did a full transmission fluid replacement last weekend. It took me 12 quarts to get a nice clean fluid. But I have done a partial flush around 10k miles ago when I replaced only 6 quarts, the strainer, and the pan gasket. I used to get rough up shifting around 2 and 3 gears, vibration around 60-80 mph, and rough downshifting especially before a full stop. I had a chance to test drive today when commuting to work. All the mentions issues went away for now, I am thinking about resetting the transmission computer to force re-learning...
The following 2 users liked this post by Anfanger:
Caflashbob (01-25-23),
Persocon (10-12-21)
10-04-21, 08:42 AM
#47
after my local dealer back flushed my ls460’s trans I also noticed smoother shifting. Luxury motorcars(the luxlink guy on sc430’s) also backflushed my sc430. Car had low low miles so no large difference was noticed.
The following users liked this post:
Persocon (10-12-21)
10-04-21, 08:59 PM
#48
Thought I'd share this. I saw this on the LexusOwnersClub forum
"I have an 07 LS460 that I bought with 116,000 miles. I wanted to change the fluid as well but the dealer said it was a 'lifetime' fluid. I brought it to the best transmission shop that I know personally. They said that the fluid is more of a hydraulic type fluid and should never be replaced. They have had customers that have demanded the fluid change and two of them had transmission failure within 1,000 miles. Since then they refuse the service. My advise is don't mess with it. FYI"
"I have an 07 LS460 that I bought with 116,000 miles. I wanted to change the fluid as well but the dealer said it was a 'lifetime' fluid. I brought it to the best transmission shop that I know personally. They said that the fluid is more of a hydraulic type fluid and should never be replaced. They have had customers that have demanded the fluid change and two of them had transmission failure within 1,000 miles. Since then they refuse the service. My advise is don't mess with it. FYI"
10-05-21, 07:45 AM
#49
Intermediate
I'd like to see someone try and invent a fluid that can resist entropy!
The following users liked this post:
Parrokeete (10-05-21)
10-05-21, 11:39 AM
#50
If I were to do a full fluid exchange again, I'd probably go with
fluid. It's specifically formulated to WS standards, and it comes in five quart jugs unlike most other brands which only come in gallon containers. This gives you a bit more forgiveness with three jugs (15 qts) when performing the job. It's also really reasonably priced and a full synthetic fluid, per their response to me.
The following users liked this post:
Persocon (10-12-21)
10-05-21, 12:13 PM
#51
My understanding is that ls460’s out of the United States have 60k miles service intervals. Steve at luxury motorcars mentioned this and told me that a back flush normally clears up erratic shifting issues
10-05-21, 01:28 PM
#52
Intermediate
I absolutely detest companies that don't sell fluids to consumers in bigger containers. Good that Idemitsu isn't one of them.
10-05-21, 06:33 PM
#53
The following 2 users liked this post by Parrokeete:
BlazeViper (10-06-21),
Persocon (10-12-21)
10-12-21, 12:56 PM
#54
first thing i did when i bought my 08 is do full atf fluid change, car now has 188,000 miles on it with 2 separate full fluid changes using the radiator return line method, first change at 100k miles ago and 20k miles ago on the second full fluid fluid change, still shifting fine, zero problems.
it’s more pain to do partial drain and fill because u need to do it at least a few times and that means a bunch of fluid level checks (put car in atf fluid temp mode and let vehicle idle to get atf temperature to 104F)
here’s my_post back in the day changing it when i first got the car. look at how much metal shaving is on the pan magnets.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...-bollocks.html
it’s more pain to do partial drain and fill because u need to do it at least a few times and that means a bunch of fluid level checks (put car in atf fluid temp mode and let vehicle idle to get atf temperature to 104F)
here’s my_post back in the day changing it when i first got the car. look at how much metal shaving is on the pan magnets.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...-bollocks.html
Last edited by Persocon; 10-12-21 at 11:44 PM.
10-12-21, 02:33 PM
#55
Intermediate
Radiator method is my preferred way as well.
The following users liked this post:
Persocon (10-12-21)
10-12-21, 05:42 PM
#57
Pole Position
You disconnect the hose from the radiator with the fluid flow away from the transmission.
Put the hose in a graded bucket, start the car on leveled surface and drain a gallon.
Go through all gears before whole gallon gets pumped out.
Stop the engine.
Drain the fluid from the pan in the same bucket.
Using marks on the bucket, measure total amount of drained fluid.
Replace the washer on the drain plug. And tighten the drain.
Refill the transmission with the drained amount of fresh fluid either through the refill port or the other hose.
Start the engine and drain another gallon and stop the engine.
Refill using either of above mentioned ports.
Repeat until clear fluid starts coming out. It might take as many as 16-18 quarts.
After you are happy with the fluid condition. Warm the engine to 106F (Techstream works best) and open the overfill drain with the engine running.
If nothing comes out, add more fluid.
If fluid comes out, wait until it drains in a very thin stream.
Adjusting fluid level should be done very quickly.
Put the hose in a graded bucket, start the car on leveled surface and drain a gallon.
Go through all gears before whole gallon gets pumped out.
Stop the engine.
Drain the fluid from the pan in the same bucket.
Using marks on the bucket, measure total amount of drained fluid.
Replace the washer on the drain plug. And tighten the drain.
Refill the transmission with the drained amount of fresh fluid either through the refill port or the other hose.
Start the engine and drain another gallon and stop the engine.
Refill using either of above mentioned ports.
Repeat until clear fluid starts coming out. It might take as many as 16-18 quarts.
After you are happy with the fluid condition. Warm the engine to 106F (Techstream works best) and open the overfill drain with the engine running.
If nothing comes out, add more fluid.
If fluid comes out, wait until it drains in a very thin stream.
Adjusting fluid level should be done very quickly.
10-12-21, 07:43 PM
#58
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...nd-fill-3.html
10-12-21, 11:50 PM
#59
because the radiator has heat exchanger with the transmission fluid, and engine coolant doesn't get hot until thermostat opens for awhile, and thermostat doesn't open for awhile on a cold engine anyways.
Last edited by Persocon; 10-13-21 at 04:54 PM.
The following users liked this post:
Anfanger (10-13-21)
01-20-23, 10:16 AM
#60
Driver School Candidate
I have a 2007 Lexus LS460 and never had a transmission fluid change. The car now has 182k miles and still running smooth with no issue ... knock on wood. This shows that the concept of "life time fluid" for Lexus is true ... to me, this car life should easily last 300k miles and if that is the case, transmission should be ok without fluid change. I think we should not think of life-time as eternity ... no such car !