Transaxle Oil Analysis

Took me no time at all dumping it into a funnel. Drains faster than I could pour (thought it was draining all over the shop floor)

 

What do you guys think of this UOA at 211k? I probably waited a bit long. I'll try and do it much sooner next.

 

Curious what the tech report said for that first change as there were several very high numbers on that sample. Break in?

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Bumping this thread up, as it has been a year since there have been any updates.

I have a Gen 2 that has 70k miles on it. It was purchased from a government auction and I don't have the service records on it to see if they have changed out ATF, so I'm going to assume they haven't and do a DIY myself.

Have any of you folks changed out your ATF since this thread was last updated? Do you have any new lab results? Any more thoughts on WS versus Redline D6 or D4? Or any other product? Thank you for any pointers.

 

2009 was a good year! Mine was the touring edition!

Probably do it yourself as the dealers will try to sell you a flush. Or go to your local mechanic you can trust and supply the WS fluid. Problem with dealers is that most of the service bays are hidden from the customer and you will never know what they did.
At least one motor oil change needs to be in a shop where you can see and verify what is happening. Unfortunately Wal-Mart does that at every shop. You will need to supply the filter and gasket for an oil change. Still would say a local tire shop for the tranny??? Unless you feel lucky (dirty Harry).
Working under a Prius is not an option. You will need a way to elevate the vehicle. Some folks park over a ditch/just don't drive it into a ditch.
I would not experiment with non OEM fluid/just me! Oil = 0W20 Mobil one is fine.

PS/ baby kitty makes a great oil rag.

 

I bought the 2009 because according to my research, it seems to be one of the most reliable vehicles ever made. I'm just going to try and baby it to 200k miles and beyond.

I drive conservatively, usually 55-65mph on the highway, in-town driving is also gentle on the throttle. I'm in the middle of California, so weather conditions aren't extreme unlike some parts of the world.

I'd prefer to do the fluid change myself, as I've been burned by too many Jiffy Lube's, Lube-N-Go's and even dealerships doing sub-par work. With jack stands, I should be able to get the car level and high enough to creep under it.

I've found WS ATF for 4 quarts shipped for around $40 online. Price isn't my primary concern, as I don't mind paying a bit extra for Redline if the long-term wear seems to be less than the WS ATF. I'm not a chemical or mechanical engineer (unlike some folks in this thread who appear to be both!). I'm just a simple layman trying my best to be objective about the choices out there.

1. I don't believe in "lifetime fluids". Entropy is real. Toyota can be disregarded for the "lifetime" bit.
2. Some people seem to fall more into the WS camp, and some more into the Redline camp. I'd just prefer to hear more lab results and try to see if we notice a pattern here.
3. I'll sample my ATF that I'll drain once I do this job, then sample again at the next internal of whatever I'm about to put in it.
4. There seems to only be two options that are seriously discussed WS and D6. I'd like to hear more as to why, and of course, more data if it is available since the last time this thread was updated.

Thank you all for the contributions.

Oh, and I keep the neighbor kitties away from my car when working on it. They are a bit too curious for their own good, but I'll spoil them later once the nasty fluids are cleaned up and out of reach.

 

Lifetime filled is true but it depends on what the manufacturer sees as lifetime.
If a manufacturer sees 150.000 miles as lifetime it will probably work.

I had this discussion at our Ford dealer concerning a fluid drain and fill for the 6F35 transmission. At first they refused to do it since it was unnecessary... But to keep these transmissions in good condition you need to replace the fluid every 35.000 to 40.000 miles since the filter isn't easy to replace.

Ask ZF if transmissions can be filled for life, they simply tell you that it isn't possible. I do believe that the hybrid transaxle isn't as hard on fluid than a traditional slushbox but it still needs replacing at some point.

 

I had a Toyota parts guy tell me that I didn't need to change because its a lifetime fluid. I asked him how much for a new transaxle, but he didn't answer. That was a few years ago. Now I order the WS and gaskets from Amazon to avoid the helpful parts guy.

I change every 30k which is probably really conservative, but its worked well so far. Next change will be at the next service interval, 150k. I will do all the coolant again too.

 

Just from how my successive changes looked progressively cleaner, I'd advocate a sorta "logarithmic" change interval, say change it at the 10K (mile) mark, then 30K, then 60K and so on.

 

Mostly.

That is Write Brothers to Neil Armstrong on flight, not even Apples to Oranges.

The "transaxle" in a Prius (really any Toyota Hybrid) is not a transmission in any form one would traditionally think of. It is more akin to a motor driven gear box that has no sliding gears, clutches, or really ANY part that engages and dis-engages. All parts move and are in mesh all the time.

Since 600HP/2050lb-tq "big rigs" can very safely use the same manual trans oil for 500k or more (some 750k), there is no worldly reason why a Prius, Camry, or RAV4 should ever "need" a transmission oil change. Now, if you like peeling out and mash the pedal when you are on low traction surfaces just 'because you like to abuse you car, that is a completely different situation!

 

05: I'm trying to refill my tranny fluid after a partial flush. The car is raised in the front, away from the fill hole ('09). Despite this, any added fluid overflows. I'm mystified. I poked around with my oil dipstick, nothing. The car is cold so I would expect the fluid to have flowed away from the fill hole. Any ideas? Thanks much. Paul

 

Get the car level.

 

Tried that, same result.

 

You've drained the old fluid? Don't understand "partial flush".

 

In a moment of extreme stupidity, popped the tranny plug instead of the oil plug. Recapped before all was lost, but a considerable amount escaped.

Thanks Mendel.

 

Changed the transaxle fluid on my 2005 Prius for the first time at 190,000 miles. I see no ill effects so far.

I also do synthetic oil changes every 15,000 miles. Never changed the spark plugs, but will probably soon. Engine runs great.

 

Was about to have the Southern California dealership do the fluid change. They wanted $329. Crazy expensive for such a simple fluid change with a rack they have in the service bay. Seems like a rip-off. Going to change it myself, it has been awhile.

 

Yeah that’s beyond ridiculous.

Too, when they quote like that, my take is they have NO clue what’s involved, that it’s going to require a procedure similar to some conventional automatic transmission fluid change, with a boatload more complexity.

For all of the above, I wouldn’t allow them near the car.