Should I Change the Transmission Fluid at 200k Miles?

A Prius "Transmission" is very different from a traditional "Transmission". There is no "Valve Body" in a Prius "Transmission" that could get plugged up by crud breaking off from a late in life fluid change. The fact that the Prius "Transmission" does not have a filter to replace (it does not need one) is telling. The Prius "Transmission" is more like a traditional Differential, and and should have fresh lubricant every once and a while (IIRC every 120K).

I would have the fluid changed, as its primary purpose is lubrication, and old fluid won't protect the gears from excessive wear.

 

Yeah change it, asap. If you can post pics of the old and new fluid that'd be interesting.

But play it safe; don't do this:

Because of this (screen grab from page 501 of Prius v Owner's Manual):



There's a transaxle fluid change link in my signature. It has excerpt from 3rd gen Prius Repair Manual, but I believe the procedure is identical for the Prius v.

 

Do not add Lucas! Correct Toyota fluid must be used. Inside of the transmission there are insulators for the wiring if you use the wrong fluid it will damage the coating and cause a short to ground code I forgot what code number it was. But at that point the transmission would have to be replaced.

I also bought a Prius with approximately 200,000 miles on it and have not changed the fluid yet. It is on my list to do though. I agree with what others have said the transmission is like a differential.

Have you cleaned the EGR Circuit yet? Very important to do on this generation.

 

Good point. And at least 100K overdue. First link in my signature has info.

 

No!

As already partially mentioned above, the "transmission" contains two motor-generators, which always contain lots of insulated wire tightly wound around magnetic cores. Preserving the integrity of that insulation coating, to avoid excessive electrical leakage, is critical. Some other fluids have degraded the insulation. So don't put in anything not specifically rated for Toyota-style hybrid transaxles.

 

2010 55K Miles Sluggish Transmission Whine | PriusChat

Are you viewing PriusChat on a phone? If so, signatures probably aren’t displaying, until your turn your phone to landscape orientation. This is a PriusChat Easter egg lol.

In the interim, here’s the egr and transaxle fluid change links:

Exhaust Gas Recirculation info

Transaxle Fluid Change

 

Any idea of this service cost if done at a Toyota dealer?

 

It is a really easy open the drain plug, drain, replace the plug and re-fill through the fill plug. It is hard to mess up. Anybody who does oil changes can do it for about the same amount of money.

It is important to use the Toyota branded fluid though. Make sure whoever does it, make sure they use the "WS" version of Toyota Transmission Fluid. Buy the fluid from the dealer, and tell them to use that fluid for the replacement.

 

That can be all over the map. A fair price is $80~100. There's owners' reports here of preposterous charges though, $250~300, accompanied by explanations of how complex/tricky the process is. Which is pure BS, as evidenced by the repair manual (per my previous link).

Any place quoting high prices and claiming it's very complicated are best avoided.

 

I checked with two local Toyota dealerships yesterday and was quoted $200 and $140. I have a $10 discount coupon, so it it will cost me $130 plus tax. I have it scheduled to be done next week.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

I checked local dealership price for liters of Toyota ATF WS last December: $11.60 CDN apiece (you need 4), and the fill/drain bolt washers were maybe $3 CDN apiece (robbery...). Labour's on par with an oil change.

I think they're charging more purely cus it's unusual. At our nearby dealership parts department, all the supplies would be about $42 USD.



To DIY, it's best to have the car raised and level. Very simple method of delivering the new fluid is a funnel with tube extension.

 

Always remove the top bolt first in case you can't get the bottom one out.
Very easy job.... need a funnel with 3' hose attached to it. Make sure the hose goes inside the trani.... Fill from the left side of the engine compartment.
I have done this five times.
And I don't use the Toyota fluid.
Your can do it yourself for under $20.00
Maxlife WTS at Walmart.
I have also used 10 w 40 Walmart motor oil. Works fine.
Holds 4 quarts.
It's just like a 4 speed manual transmission. Just a bunch of gears...

 

I am curious as to why you need two washers. I only bought 1 washer last summer when I bought the Fluid. I have yet to replace the fluid (it is 16 degrees outside in Philly), so if I need a 2nd washer, I want buy it.

 

There are 2 bolts.Each has a washer.
Use the same one on the top.
I reuse them.... it's up to you.

 

What Tim said.

 

I am not in upstate NY, but my dealer has charged $90 twice and $110 once. No idea what was different.

 

To be fair, seems like the ATF WS is harder to come by through US dealerships, and somewhat more expensive. Checking on Amazon.ca it's VERY expensive.