My Prime's first transmission fluid change :D

Racoon
When you lowered the underside cowlings did the have any trouble with the push in plugs that hold it in place getting damaged? Were you able to reuse them?

 

To deal with the push-in fasteners I use all 3 of these, as needed:



The one at the top is a paint can opener. Basically a flat blade screwdriver with a 90 deg hook at the tip. It's the main tool I use, just hook under the centre pin's edge and gently lever up. Still, the other tools come in handy, especially if the fastener is stubborn, may break from applying too much force. The simple flat blade screwdriver is sometimes more effective, at least to get the removal started. And if it's NOT coming out, even with the centre pin raised: the bottom tool, slipped under the whole fastener head and collar, will get it out, in one piece.

Whenever you have the fasteners out, if you wash the grit out with warm, soapy water before reinstall, they will last. I've done 11~12 oil changes where I remove the whole undercover, and if I recall correctly, have yet to break one fastener. I recently noticed with maybe a couple of replacement fasteners in the glove box, so maybe I did break one and got a couple of spares. But really, it's been enough years that I can't recall.

 

Thanks, I guess it can be done.

 

4th gen is likely a bit different, but probably still a lot of those fasteners. I believe there's a separate small piece of panel just at the oil pan: it comes off completely, and is secured by metal screws? That's an improvement!

Third gen has a flap in that area, that theoretically you can remove a few push-in pins and bend it down. But the plastic is kinda thin/brittle, and can end up cracking at the bend point. Which is why I take the whole panel off. It affords a better view of the whole engine bay, CV joints, and transaxle fill/drain bolts, so there's some plusses to that approach.

 

I also remove the entire undercover when I do an oil change on our 2010. Yes, the fasteners will last if you are patient and use the proper tools. Unfortunately, I do not have the proper tools nor am I all that patient. I should try that slotted tool of yours though...it looks like it would work great.

I ended up buying a BIG bag of both types of fasteners 'the auction site'. They were cheap and I have enough to last me nearly 'forever'.

 

So, my Prime is about to go in for its first service. While I was making the appointment I inquired about changing the transmission fluid. They told me it is not recommended, but they were willing to do it... for three hundred dollars!

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They quoted the wrong procedure, a transmission oil flush. You have to tell them NOT A FLUSH! I want you to drain the oil and replace it with fresh oil.

Bob Wilson

 

Well, it's possible they gave me a quote for that, but I'd have to wonder. Since I specifically asked to "have the transmission fluid changed", when they asked me if I wanted anything else done during the service. The mechanic said it wasn't necessary or recommended. But that if I really wanted it done they'd do it for $300. Then he wanted to know why I thought it needed to be done.

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In any case, I will do it myself. I was just thinking I would be lazy!

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Do you know people who performed routine maintenance and ended up scrapping their cars before e.g. 250k due to major component break-down ? How do you decide which group to ignore ?

 

Source on instructions: Prius Prime Plus in my hands | Page 10 | PriusChat

Oil results: Prius Prime Plus in my hands | Page 15 | PriusChat

There are several answers for 'why':

• REAL - We have seen other Prius Prime owners find the transaxle oil shows signs of early wear including left over manufacturing debris (have hard copies of my reports and the photo from: My Prime's first transmission fluid change | PriusChat). Take a dry, water bottle with cap and tell them,"I want a sample of the used oil to send for analysis."
  
• SUPPORTING - People who sell their Prius want to have a record showing the early changes which improved the used car price. That along with the oil analysis.
• COMPETENCE - Here is a copy of a service order that did exactly what I wanted.

Bob Wilson

 

My dealer quoted $80 to just put the car on the lift and look underneath it.

 

I'd be disinclined to tell them anything. If they're that in the dark. Check with other dealership, or consider DIY.

Yeah, there yeah go: DIY.

Just bear in mind, raise and level the car. That'll ensure the fluid level is right when it starts coming back out.

 

I would have tried another dealer just upon hearing that price. An actual transmission flush around here goes for half that.

 

You come over to my place...i will do free....I work on a lot of my project car's


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Are you in Northern California? =)

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Hi. I have a 2018 Prime with 8K miles to accompany my '04 Prius (221,000 miles). I am set on installing the strongest magnetic oil drain plug (Dimple Products) on the CVT drain port but I need to confirm the bolt size in order to buy the correct plug. (I think it may be M18 X 1.5.) As you know, a person can't make a mistake by unscrewing the wrong plugs! Do you have any suggestions for doing the work? I am going to install Amsoil Signature Series Fuel-Efficient Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATLQT-EA) instead of the Toyota ATF WS fluid. Did the trans take 3.8 - 3.9 quarts? It is surprising how dark the CVT fluid was in your car. Good show to be pro-active!

 

As I did with my Gen3, I plan to do the transmission fluid drain and fill on my PRIME at 30K service. My dealer did it for ~$80 on my Gen3 but don't know what they will charge on PRIME. I still have 7K more to go.

 

Good plan. Still, there's nothing special about 30K miles. I did a drain on ours at 15K kms, around the one year mark, and the fluid was markedly darker. Subsequent drains, at much longer intervals, the fluid looks almost like new.

Are you DIY'ing oil changes? The transaxle fluid is about on par.

 

Not yet. I still have FREE Toyota Care maintenance. That expires at 25K, so starting 30K, I am planning to DIY weather permitting, for I have to do it on my driveway.