Only Mobil 1 For My Prius

Tell them you want to taste test it first.

Tell them Rizzo the rat sent you.

 

Never been to this dealer before. They better have some fresh donuts!

 

Taking your squeeze to Disneyland?

 

No, we actually escaped from Disneyland.

 

I plan to err on the side of over doing transmission oil changes as well. Will have it changed with the first oil change at 5000 miles, then again at 25,000 or so. Maybe go to 100K before changing again. Someone told me once our dealer charges about $80 for this.

 

My dealer wants $300 for the trans fluid change.


iPhone ?

 

My CT Dealer charges $100.

JeffD

 

Well, my source could have been wrong. Might be better to rent a lift bay for an hour?. Would have to buy a torque ratchet and a hand pump along with the fluid and washers but it doesn't look too complicated. Surely all that would be less than $300 plus the peace of mind it was done right. Second change would cost much less!

 

I would actually pay as much as $120 to avoid having to do it myself. I should call them.

 

I wish. Everything is expensive in NY.


iPhone ?

 

A funnel and 3' of hose is simple and effective, just run it down through engine bay, let gravity do the work. You want to use it just with ATF-WS. Best to have an assistant pouring, while you monitor below.

The dealership quoting $300 shouldn't be left alone with the car, they haven't a clue as to what's involved.

 

Once you safely get the car up high enough and reasonably level, and get the plastic unpanel off, changing the transmission lubricant is easy, practically exactly the same procedure as changing oil in a manual tranmission. "Flushing" it is nonsense.

 

I did a very early transaxle fluid change on our 2010, around 15,000 kilometers. It was already very dark. Next one, around 40,000, the fluid looked near-new.

 

Not surprising. If you ever look at an engine or transmission rebuild video or procedure, you'll see that heavy grease is applied to all of the bearing mating surfaces. It is probably this grease which mixes with the WS transmission fluid and darkens it. There's no benefit to keeping the grease mixed with the transmission fluid -- it's been washed out of the bearing or mating surface, so it's no longer doing that job. If I were doing a change on a new Prius transaxle, I'd replace the drain plug with a magnetized plug. Apparently, they will attract metal bits and you don't want metal particles floating around your engine or transmission.

 

Yeah a magnetic drain bolt would be good.

 

Called my local Toyota dealer to schedule my 5000 mile service and got quote for changing the transmission fluid. $175. Called another nearby dealer and they want $190. Forget that, I'm renting a service bay and doing it myself. At least I'll know it was done correctly. I've changed my own engine oil for too many years to pay that king's ransom.

Now that I think about it, it was Bob Wilson who told me the local guys charge ~$80 for this service. Maybe I could guilt him into helping me? Bob, are you there?

 

@bwilson4web

 

@Tideland Prius I believe got his done by Toyota Dealership for $80 (Can). I think part of the problem is they might be clueless as to what it entails, which is not a good sign. Really, 4 liters or quarts of Toyota ATF WS and 2 replacement washers is the supplies:



You should decent wrenches, a torque wrench, dedicated funnel with 3' hose extension, 10mm allen key socket. Drain, fill with the car level till it starts flowing back out.

Addendum: I kinda forgot where I was, the fourth gen forum. Still, some of the above, and the (3rd gen) attachment should still be applicable.

 

through in a bob wilson, (shaken, not stirred) and you have the ingredients for success.