ToyotaLexus

how many ATF drain/refills does it take to really clean out the auto transmission?

I'm using Toyota ATF Type-4.... did one dran-refill a while ago.(used
a little mroe than 4 bottles)

Plan to do another one this weekend... is this enough?

thomas1

Someone actually did this and saved fluid from each change. was very interesting as I believe after the third change the fluid was a beautiful crimson red color and appeared to be very clean. I would say three changes....(drain and fills) With the first including a filter change if you have the paper filter element, which is the only thing you can get now.

trhs75

My dealer suggested a flush to me, which I had them do. I have seen posts here where they suggest it's best to do repeated fluid changes rather than a flush. To me, a flush makes sense, but I think some people have concerns about shooting contaminated fluid throughout the transmission.

carguy07

Courtesy of HarrierAWD.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx3...od-or-bad.html

edbro

That 3rd cup does look good. But, is that after 2 or 3 drain/fills? Is the first cup what came out during the first drain/fill, in other words, the original fluid, or after the first drain/fill. That would make the 3rd cup the results of 2 drain/fills. I looked at the original post and it was unclear.

thomas1

Hey even with 4 drain and fills you are cheaper than one service at the stealership....and you know it was done right....Just do it every week and wham you are done by March...

carguy07

Exactly, just do it once a week for 3-4 weeks and then you are good for a long time. After you have done it once you will see how easy it is. There have been quite a few times that I have done it and not gotten dirty at all (I wear gloves). But honestly you don't even need to wash your hands when you are done (unless you spill some or drop the plug in the pan, which happens every other time for me).

Now that mine is clean I am doing it twice a year. It's $20 a pop and I just do it when I change the engine oil.

ToyotaLexus

my Lexus dealer charges $281 for ATF change.... not surprising...
The final bill is about $320, after the shop fee, sales tax, waste disposal fee
are added.

For that price, I can get about 60 bottles of genuine Toyota Type-IV ATF...

thomas1

Do it yourself, and then get a bunch of night out at your favorite restaurants....

driver321

What does one do with the used fluid after the changes? My local dumb takes engine oil, but not sure about ATF fluid.

code58

Where are you guys getting Type-IV for that kind of money? When I checked recently it listed for from $11. to $13. a bottle. The cheapest I could find it was online at almost $9. a bottle and then at the price of shipping today, you better hope you find a place that doesn't charge shipping! The last that I bought about 1 1/2 years ago was $4.75 a qt. by the case.

mikey00

About 6 months ago I paid $4.75/qt at the local Toyota dealer. I just checked Irontoad online (which is actually Thompson Lexus) and they still have it for $4.95. Global Auto Parts online has it for $6.99.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Lexus dealers will always triple the price on everything

When it comes to fluids, always go to a Toyota dealer rather than Lexus.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

I usually recycle at the same place. Bring it back to an auto part store if you want. They sell engine oil/ATF so by law, they are suppose to take back any fluid they sell.

ToyotaLexus

unless the fluids you want are Cokes, Pepsi, and even Red Bull,
which are always all-you-can-drink at my local Lexus dealer...
(also free are all-you-can-eat Haagen-Daz ice cream, Starbuck coffees,
and Klondike bars)

for fluids that go into my Lexus, I just go to a Toyota dealer.