Replace Transmission Fluid?
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Replace Transmission Fluid?
Hi all, I have a 2005 RX330 that just went over 190K miles. I am the second owner of the car and have never replaced the transmission fluid and don't believe the first owner did either. To me the transmission shifts nicely and I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary. Does anyone suggest I drain the transmission fluid and replace with the recommended fluid or just leave it alone? Thanks!
#3
Pole Position
Really best to swap out the filter, specially if you don't know or have no records. Thats what I had done yesterday as well as the rear diff & transfer case. I used a wix filter, a gallon of Maxlife & 2 qtrs of 75/90 Royal Purple. We bought ours last November(w/ 145.000) w/ no knowledge of when the trans fluid or diff's fluid/filter was done. Did a few other things as well......Yea the Toyota's transmission's are pretty smooth & reliably, my thought is I really don't want to replace or redo this trans + it also gives you idea first hand look at the two magnets that you wouldn't have a change to see w/o pulling the pan.....
#5
Lexus Test Driver
+1 above posts.
I got my 2004 RX330 around 120k and the first couple years I think I did 3 drain and fills with mileage in between to freshen it up and
last year as it approached 150k I dropped the pan to inspect and found out the 2004 model only had a single tiny magnet that
was maxxed out with metal powder debris.
I hear newer model RX350 has 2 magnets but not sure.
Very glad I didn't wait any longer to clean the magnet and I plan on doing a possible complete flush soon- still debating on that.
I got my 2004 RX330 around 120k and the first couple years I think I did 3 drain and fills with mileage in between to freshen it up and
last year as it approached 150k I dropped the pan to inspect and found out the 2004 model only had a single tiny magnet that
was maxxed out with metal powder debris.
I hear newer model RX350 has 2 magnets but not sure.
Very glad I didn't wait any longer to clean the magnet and I plan on doing a possible complete flush soon- still debating on that.
#6
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
+1 above posts.
I got my 2004 RX330 around 120k and the first couple years I think I did 3 drain and fills with mileage in between to freshen it up and
last year as it approached 150k I dropped the pan to inspect and found out the 2004 model only had a single tiny magnet that
was maxxed out with metal powder debris.
I hear newer model RX350 has 2 magnets but not sure.
Very glad I didn't wait any longer to clean the magnet and I plan on doing a possible complete flush soon- still debating on that.
I got my 2004 RX330 around 120k and the first couple years I think I did 3 drain and fills with mileage in between to freshen it up and
last year as it approached 150k I dropped the pan to inspect and found out the 2004 model only had a single tiny magnet that
was maxxed out with metal powder debris.
I hear newer model RX350 has 2 magnets but not sure.
Very glad I didn't wait any longer to clean the magnet and I plan on doing a possible complete flush soon- still debating on that.
#7
Lexus Test Driver
If you are pretty good with a wrench and have a reliable floor jack that you trust to hold the engine/trans about an inch raised up while you
turn out a 3-4 bolts with your hand in a tight spot it's not hard at all- comes right out easy.
Hardest part is jacking up transmission for clearance to access a few hidden bolts but that is easy too the way I do it- might take 5-20 mins depending on
how seized/stuck engine mount bolts are and what tools someone has to work with.
turn out a 3-4 bolts with your hand in a tight spot it's not hard at all- comes right out easy.
Hardest part is jacking up transmission for clearance to access a few hidden bolts but that is easy too the way I do it- might take 5-20 mins depending on
how seized/stuck engine mount bolts are and what tools someone has to work with.
Last edited by Margate330; 03-19-20 at 09:21 PM.
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#8
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
If you are pretty good with a wrench and have a reliable floor jack that you trust to hold the engine/trans about an inch raised up while you
turn out a 3-4 bolts with your hand in a tight spot it's not hard at all- comes right out easy.
Hardest part is jacking up transmission for clearance to access a few hidden bolts but that is easy too the way I do it- might take 5-20 mins depending on
how seized/stuck engine mount bolts are and what tools someone has to work with.
turn out a 3-4 bolts with your hand in a tight spot it's not hard at all- comes right out easy.
Hardest part is jacking up transmission for clearance to access a few hidden bolts but that is easy too the way I do it- might take 5-20 mins depending on
how seized/stuck engine mount bolts are and what tools someone has to work with.
#9
Advanced
#10
Pole Position
That'd depend on how & where it was driven as well as how many miles....Yea its one thing to have records of when work was done w/ the date & mileage. If you have no idea, then I'd recommend swapping out the filter & cleaning the magnets. Yea once you've done it then do the drain/fill.....I'd also do the drain/fill w/ the diff & transfer case as well......
#11
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
That'd depend on how & where it was driven as well as how many miles....Yea its one thing to have records of when work was done w/ the date & mileage. If you have no idea, then I'd recommend swapping out the filter & cleaning the magnets. Yea once you've done it then do the drain/fill.....I'd also do the drain/fill w/ the diff & transfer case as well......
#12
Pole Position
Will be a game time decision for dropping the pan and replacing the filter/cleaning magnets. I ordered the trans fluid and filter which will be delivered in the next few days. Also will do fluid swap for the rear diff (don't have a transfer case) and will keep the thread updated.
#13
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Did the trans fluid replacement today. Just under 4 quarts came out. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to do the filter since I couldn't get to just one of the pan bolts. I tried lifting up the trans and engine with my floor jack, but that didn't improve any clearance. I had several 10mm wrenches including a flex-head, but they couldn't get to the bolt. Next oil change I will drain the trans again and attempt to remove the pan after I get an offset wrench to hopefully reach that one bolt.
The drain and fill was pretty easy and the drain plug removed with no issues.
The drain and fill was pretty easy and the drain plug removed with no issues.
The following users liked this post:
Margate330 (03-22-20)
#14
Lexus Test Driver
Some cheap tools for jobs like this.
Duralast ten piece 10mm socket set from Auto Zone is killer deal
at $20- exactly same as Gearwrench set for less $$$ and includes
swivel sockets and magnetic impacts, and mid length in 1/4" and 3/8".
* Just noticed 11 sockets shown but last impact on right isn't included.
Also, can't say enough nice things about the Mountain wrenches- extra long, with offset and this one is the 8mm x 10mm two sizes in one wrench on ebay $25.
Duralast ten piece 10mm socket set from Auto Zone is killer deal
at $20- exactly same as Gearwrench set for less $$$ and includes
swivel sockets and magnetic impacts, and mid length in 1/4" and 3/8".
* Just noticed 11 sockets shown but last impact on right isn't included.
Also, can't say enough nice things about the Mountain wrenches- extra long, with offset and this one is the 8mm x 10mm two sizes in one wrench on ebay $25.
Last edited by Margate330; 03-22-20 at 09:40 PM.
#15
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Thanks so much for this. Looks like the flex sockets would be my best bet for reaching that one bolt. Next time I drain the fluid, I'll purchase the set and update this thread.