ATF WS - Drain/Fill Question?

I'm also an aircraft mechanic, retired and an automotive DIYer. I guess thats why I don't like others working on my cars unless it's absolutely necessary and if they do, I will inspect their work out of habit and make them fix things that they didn't do correctly. One of my biggest pet peeves are the plastic fasteners holding on the covers under the car. If there's even one missing they will hear about it. I never take "it came in like that" as an excuse which I've heard more than any other.

 

I take our panel off completely at each (DIY) oil change. And all the fasteners, put them in small tub of hot, soapy water, float the grit out of them. Grit seems to be what jams and breaks them. I think I've had to replace one, in 10 oil changes done so far (every 6 months). And use the proper, correct fittingToyota fasteners.

 

Crazy! This is 3rd gen instruction, but very similar.

 

That's because they will be checking critical items such as muffler bearings, johnson rods, and Kuneutson valves and also replacing that old winter air in your tires with fresh summer air. Don't ask questions, this stuff is WAY too technical for you to understand.



BTW, my 16 year old son and I did the trans. fluid change in our driveway for $30-ish dollars.

 

Ahh, a wise shopper indeed!

 

Keep us posted on the dealer tranny fluid change. Also they will try to sell you a flush which cannot be done. But could if you are really stupid.

Watch out for the famous flush speech.

Most customers are really that stupid! I said drain and fill and they said we don't have a price for that or can't do that for a Prius.

 

In this case I suspect they're sincerely misguided; aren't there some Toyota vehicles that require something like this. Still, if they're going into the job with that amount knowledge and quoted price, avoid them like the plague.

Again, this mess should be dropped off on Toyota's doorstep, they're behind this confusion. The transaxle fluid change procedure should be:

1. Included in the maintenance schedule. (they could get themselves off the hook by describing it as "optional")

2. Explained in the Owner's Manual, along with the engine oil and filter change.

 

I think I lost my muffler brearings. Did anyone find them?

The only one of 4 changes I had done that I am sure they changed it is the one I smelled tranny fluid when they pulled it up.

I try to watch from a distance but it is very difficult to tell exactly what is going on without a proper viewing angle and a pair of binoculars.. Some folks have video recorders which may help. That is what I like about the cheap shops that have a glass viewing room.

 

Was there more than the transaxle fluid change? That's a bit steep otherwise. Some Canadian dealerships were doing that for $80.

 

Here's my costs, purchases in Canadian dollars from a dealership parts department, in October 2013. These were "list" price, no special discount. Also, 3rd gen is a bit different, think the capacity is slightly more (but still under 4 qts/liters, and the washers vary from gen 2):

TOYOTA ATF WS per liter: $9.32 (4 required)
Drain/Fill bolt washers: $1.99 (2 required) (What they charge for washers is robbery, but hey)

$80 would be a good price, anything over $100 is a little bald. If you can, I'd price the parts, and consider DIY next time.

 

The OP has a 2006 Prius... why is this thread posted in the 2016 model forum?

 

Especially considering you don't need new ones, unless you somehow manage to damage or reverse the old ones. Mine came off looking new, went back in the same positions, still looking new, and don't leak.

 

Yeah, I know. I'm a little obsessive, guess I figure it's an infrequent happening, might as well play by the book. Do the same when draining the engine oil: that washer's only $0.95 though, and just the one.

 

mine was in the 67-77 range.

 

Yeah, everything in the 'States tends to be about 30% cheaper, in US dollars. At least, lol.