More problem's with my new Prime - Leaking rear hatch window :( *update 1.30.17*

I did transaxle fluid at:

1 year mark and 15K (km's): noticeably darker
3 year mark and 40K: slightly darker
6 year mark and 63K: virtually as new

With our diminishing use, that might be it, lol.

 

nice garage! (car's not bad either. you are a very neat person.

 

My garage is a pig sty, but my real envy of yours is the space. I have to park our car in the garage for my wife because she doesn't think ~ 6 inches of clearance on the passenger side is enough.

I'm looking forward to Spring, when the car will be happy to live outside

 

What does Toyota recommend?
WS is supposedly one of those lifetime fluids. What is seen or tested about the used fluid may have no bearing on it doing its job.
Though there was some Google hits from Tacoma forums about it being crap.

 

Looks like we need a "garage intervention" for several of you.

 

You mean a meetup like the Gen 3 ricers at Hybrid Garage

 

Toyota makes no mention of changing it, in the maintenance schedule. The Repair Manual outlines the procedure though.

I agree: fluid darkening doesn't necessarily mean that much. OTOH, the decrease in darkening with subsequent changes would seem to mean something.

Costing $40~ to DIY, every 3 years or so, easy decision for me.

 

The decrease does mean something. I'm suggesting that something has no bearing on the fluid doing its job for the application. WS is an ATF. It is dual duty; a lubricant and an hydraulic fluid. The hybrid transaxle isn't a traditional though, and only needs a lubricant. Something damaging the WS's ability to act as an hydraulic fluid might not affect its lubricating properties. That something is usually heat; automatics shouldn't be getting above 200F.

Manual transmissions only need a lubricant, and they tend to use just a gear oil for their fluid. Some in the past used motor oil. That is really all the HSD transaxle likely needs. Either because of cost and availability, or to avoid tech confusion, Toyota choose to use the WS ATF they were switching all their automatics to in the Prius. If they had used a gear oil, there might not have been a cooling issue to solve for the gen4.

 

Thicker/older fluid dampened the vibration? Grasping at straws.

Check list:

1. Used Toyota ATF WS?
2. The car was level, and you refilled till it started coming back out?

 

The vibration issue is on the formerly leaky Prime.

 

Thatoneracoon, Is it possible to find out what day of the week your Prime was made on?

 

Monday morning??