Hey all! First Post here. Just bough a 2013 RX350 this summer and passed 90k. I read somewhere here to get the transmission fluid flushed. First dealership told me “no, it’s closed and we don’t do that.” The next dealership said they could do a transmission fluid exchange. Any idea if that is the right option or should I keep calling? I appreciate the help in advance.

 

That is an excellent option and you should pursue it. A fluid exchange is just another name for the slang term of "flush" when all the old fluid in the transmission is exchanged for new fluid via a machine that measures what goes out and back in while the cars engine is running to power the fluid circulation.

Some dealers will do it and some will not and make the excuse that it is sealed. In reality, they probably lack the technical skills and equipment to do the fluid exchange and thus miss out on another revenue stream that would help their customers vehicles last a lot longer. Maybe they make more money sellling you a replacement transmission after yours dies because you did not do the fluid exchange earlier.
You may want to skim through this entire lengthy thread as it provides a lot of useful information.

If you have AWD you should also have the transfer case and differential fluids changed at this time.

 

I'm a bit confused when you say the dealer lacks technical knowledge or the tools to change the transmission fluid. I think it's more of a factory regulation that some dealers simply tell you it's not required.
My local dealer quoted me a price and had no issues changing the transmission fluid.

 

Did you dealer do another version of a flush or did the do a fluid exchange?

 

Actuallyi went and got this done at a regular shop experienced in Hybrids. I also got the plugs changed.
The dealer quoted me a package price with a lot of other stuff that came to around 1300 or so.
The hybrid shop drained the fluid and refilled it and changed the plugs. I bought the parts from the dealer and paid labor. Came out much cheaper.

 

You are comparing apples to oranges. The hybrid has a completely different transmission that Toyota/Lexus call a Power Transfer Unit and it cannot be flushed/fluid exchanged. You can only drain and fill it.

All of the dealers have the technical expertise to do a fluid exchange which is the same as a flush, just different terminology. I think it is a matter of different dealers having a different business model or view on what services to provide, or whether they want to invest in the latest equipment to be able to perform these services. They all want to sell you extra maintenance items beyond what Toyota/Lexus calls for them to do as that makes them more money.
If they do not own a fluid exchange machine they of course will say you cannot do that to your car as they do not want you to go to the next place and have them do it and then lose your other repair and maintenance business.

 

Thats what I use also, a gallon of Maxlife w/ a Wix trans filter.....I'd also drain the rear diff as well as the transfer case as well.......

 

My 2010 RX350 does not have an oil drip stick. It does have an oil "hole" by the wheel well where one can add oil. Very cumbersome.

 

None of them have dipsticks. That is the purpose of this thread, to complain about Toyota/Lexus eliminating the dipstick and then explain how to change the fluid and check the level. It takes a while to read through this thread, but you will learn a lot and in the end, may decide to either attempt it yourself or take it to a Toyota or Lexus dealer or independent Toyota specialist to change the ATF.

 

There is one more option that is not popular in this thread, but is the recommendation of both Toyota and Lexus. Don't do it at all!! Clutchless always forgets that one.

 

I just replaced the transmission and rear differential oil on my 2010 Lexus 450H.
I did it in a local car service so not at a representative.
Do I have to change also any filter(s) together with the oil?

 

How many miles on odometer and was it the first service of those components?

Salim

 

115k miles and this is the first time changed, both transmission and rear differential.

 

I don't think I've seen a filter on the CVT in any diagrams. Then again I've never taken one apart either.

 

The 450h has what Lexus/Toyota call a power transfer unit and it is not a CVT. The fluid change on it is a drain and fill and it only holds about 4 quarts of ATF. The procedure is the same as changing the fluid on a manual transmission or differential in that you fill it up until fluid flows out of the fill hole which is on the side. There is no filter. It is as easy to do as changing engine oil.

The differential also does not have a filter and on the 450h AWD. I think it is some kind of electronic unit vs the traditional one found in the 350 AWD and that it also takes ATF.