Check Gen 3 trans fluid level before drain

Yes, I only drained about 3.5 quarts. The level was correct before I drained and was correct after I refilled with the same 3.5 qts.

Note: I remembered 3.5 qts. but when I looked at the ATF bottle in the garage there was only 0.25 qts left. So I did have the same 3.75 qts. to refill as you.

 

Isn't the trans sealed? My neighbor, who is a certified Toyota mechanic says the trans only get serviced at 100,000 miles. I must confess I don't remember anything about the trans service form the manual.

 

The Prius transaxle is sealed in the sense that it is not open to atmosphere due to the electric motors. The Toyota recommended maintenance schedule for transaxle fluid is 100,000 miles. Several people on here have changed their fluid early and had Used Oil Analysis performed and found low viscosity and dark fluid at 25 to 30,000 miles. Those that have done this recommend changing the fluid at 30k miles initially and then 60k miles thereafter.

I changed mine at 25k miles and it was a dark burgundy color compared to the lighter pink color of the new fluid. I will probably change mine again at 75K miles.

If you choose a clear, sunny day to change the fluid there should be little chance of getting moisture in the transaxle in the short time that it takes to change the fluid.

 

The first time I changed mine I measured the old fluid and it was right at 3 1/2 quarts. When I refill I pour it in until it runs out. The exact amount it takes probably depends on temperature, I think it expands quite a bit when warm. It should take between 3 1/2 and 3 3/4 quarts. The level is not as critical as engine oil, I think if you get your finger wet when you stick it in the fill hole your OK.

 

Can a Gen III owner tell me what the manual recommends? Does it state 100K interval?

I have a Lexus CT200, and the manual for it states it is a "lifetime" fluid which "never needs changing". Hahahahaha.....for the life of the warranty perhaps?

Changing it early makes sense to me.....it seems fairly easy to do. Thanks to those who post on this thread, there is a lot of wisdom and experience here. Also, parts and service at the Toyota dealer are waaaay cheaper than Lexus. Eg.: New oil filter at Lexus is $12.95, at the Toyota dealer a mile down the road it is $4.95.....the Lexus dealer parts counter is granite though

 

My 2010 Prius Warranty and Maintenance Guide says to "inspect" the "Automatic Transmission Fluid" every 30K miles. I can find no place where is says to actually replace it.

There is a DIY in post #35 of this thread: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...ng/72896-diy-transmission-fluid-change-4.html

Toyota's ATF-WS was $7.20/quart at the Toyota dealer last time I changed mine. You will need 4 quarts, it takes about 3 1/2. It's an easy job, have fun.

 

inspect every 30k its in the service routine . in the owners manual . think your confusing the hybrid coolant

 

I wish we had your prices in the uk . atf fluid form Toyota is £45.00 for 5 litres.. some on ebay at £34.00 not Toyota tho

 

My local Toyota dealership charged me $8.99/quart. They also asked me what car it was for, and "informed" me that the Prius NEEDS to be hooked up to a computer to monitor temp and "other things" when changing tranny fluid. This is the second time I've been in to get ATF from them, same speech both times.

 

Makes you wonder...

To the OP: I did our's at one year mark, didn't measure what came out. I don't think you can go wrong by just following the instruction: car raised and level, then pour in till it starts coming back out.

With my wife pouring we went through about 3.75 liters by that method, but I didn't caution her enough to slow down on the last liter, a fair bit likely spilled back out. I'd guestimate 3.5~3.6 liter actually remained.

Excerpt from the repair manual:

 

Nice, I might just print that out and take it up with me the next time I'm there, and ask why they are telling people different than the repair manual.

 

Some of the Toyota's with conventional automatics do have a procedure that requires hooking them to Tech Stream Software to monitor the temperature of the fluid to get the fill level right because they have no dip stick. I suspect the people you are talking to at the dealer simply don't know, as you and I do, that the Prius does not have an automatic transmission in the conventional sense of the word, i.e. no torque converter, no clutches, no valves etc.

I doubt there is any point telling them because they seem to be trained never to listen to a mere customer. Of course you could ask them to show you in the Prius Maintenance Manual where it says to hook it to a computer to change the transaxle fluid.

 

In the instruction it says to recheck the level after driving a bit. I did that, bit of a hassle, and the level handn't changed. So I wouldn't bother doing that.

 

I especially love the sentence "Insufficient or excessive amounts of transaxle fluid may be the
cause of some trouble." Hmmm. It blows up?

My FJ Cruiser has a "sealed" auto transmission. No dipstick. I'd like to see what they want the tech to do vs temperature when he hooks up the test gear. I don't think they use a "metering" fill device.

 

My change last weekend took exactly 3 and 3/4 quarts. It was pretty darn level.

 

When I opened the fill plug to start the procedure, nothing came out. When I filled it, I stopped at a little over 3 bottles and started pouring the fluid in a little bit at a time. When it just started to drip out the fill hole, I stopped. Took about 3 5/8 qts.

 

plenty of videos on u tube about changing it

 

I just got a funnel and stuffed the other end of the 1/2 clear vinyl hose in the tranny fill hole after draining the fluid and tightening the drain plug. I poured in 4 quarts and pulled the hose out. Some fluid dribbled out before I could button it up. Seems full to me. It takes what it takes.
-Paul R. Haller

 

I just did my first transmission drain and refill on my 2015 Prius with approx 132k miles. I drained just slightly more than 3 quarts, and refilled with about 3.5 quarts. The car was not level - the front was on ramps, the back was on the ground - sometimes you gotta play the cards you're dealt . Interestingly, I pulled the fill plug first and nothing dripped out due to the angle. I figure I got a decent fill when it took 3.5 quarts.

I was amazed at the condition of the tranny fluid after 132k - it looked great - not all brown like in the youtube videos. I also did a drain and refill on the radiator coolant and the coolant looked and smelled great - bright pink. I decided to leave the tranny coolant alone for another 20k miles.