bozilla

In April '05 I drained and refilled then transmission twice, (7 1/2 Qts.) of Toyota Trans. used, inorder to get a bright red color to the fluid. Since then I have traveled only 8000 miles and fluid again is a brownish color.

I have 47,000 miles on the vehicle and have no transmission problems.

The Lexus dealer informed me that a transmission flush is not required. According to the service manager they do not perform that service and recommend the transmission not be flushed.

Is this brownish fluid color an indication that the traaaaaaansmission is about to fail.

Should I service the transmission on a more frequent basis?

Any suggestions would be appreciated

Tammy

If you don't like the color, change it once. Then drive five hundred miles and change it again. That's what I would do.
Good you kept eye on the color.. many would miss the color change.

Lil4X

If memory serves, that brownish color is usually indicative of over-temperature operation - common in heavy towing applications. Sniff the dipstick (no, really). If it has a slight burned odor, it's toast . . . the transmission fluid, that is. Drain and flush if possible - it takes special equipment to circulate out the old fluid, and not all shops have it. Be sure the fluid they put back into your transmission is the one called for in your owner's manual. The wrong fluid can be a life-threatening experience for your transmission.

Lexmex

The fluid should still smell sweet.

I absolutely blasted my tranny to death with my racing tendencies, but fluid is still red and sweet. Keep in mind that at least with my AWD model and I have a tranny fluid cooler that can help make a big difference. This would be seen on the passenger side of the car in the air vent below the headlight and in front of the tire (below where the window washing fluid goes).

Even with the tranny fluid cooler, I want to reposition it slightly to get an even better effect.