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OK to mix Transmission Fluid after Dealer didn't use WS

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by pasta4breakfast, Nov 18, 2023.

  1. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Did they explain how they used 10 quarts in a transaxle that only holds ~4?
     
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Because he was asking for a "flush? That term is also used a lot for a single drain-and-fill, which is confusing. Maybe @pasta4breakfast can clarify, what was he asking the service department to do, when he says "flush" in post #1.

    10 quarts is a little odd too, amounts to about 2.5 drain-and-fills, at 4 quarts per??
     
  3. pasta4breakfast

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    I didn't really ask for a flush specifically. The service advisor recommended a flush and I didn't know any better, so I authorized the service.

    When I called them this week to get the info on the fluid used, the service department transferred me to the parts department because they buy the fluid for the service department. I really didn't have it in me to request that they explain the amount of fluid on an invoice from 2018. 10 quarts at $2.79 is well less than 4 quarts of valvoline Maxlife multivehicle ATF in today's prices, so I figure it was probably about the same then. Plus I am clearly never going back there again. I just wanted to know the fluid used to help me decide how time sensitive it is to get that fluid replaced again.
     
    Doug McC and Mendel Leisk like this.
  4. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    That Valvoline ATF alleges to be Toyota WS compatible. The problem here is that it's also compatible with many other manufacturers transmissions, which means their formulation must be 'tweaked' to include those other transmissions. The good news is that it won't 'take-out' your transmission right away, but there's a really good chance it's not going to last/hold-out as long as the 'lifetime' recommended OEM Toyota WS.
    Again, these are very stout transmissions and your actually changing the ATF, so your actually ahead of the game. Just change out with the right stuff this time around - no harm - no foul.

    Hope this helps.
     
    #24 BiomedO1, Feb 3, 2024
    Last edited: Feb 3, 2024
  5. pasta4breakfast

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    So I got the drain and fill done with Toyota WS at the independent shop today. The guy took a picture of the old transmission fluid being drained and in the drain pan. It looked like his personal cell phone, so I didn't ask for him to send it to me. It looked really dark, between the color of dark grey mud and a charcoal colored suit. I was hoping the Valvoline fluid would look a litte better, since people have said the WS looked pretty good when draining it a second time, even after much longer intervals than the first time. Glad I got it changed. I was planning on waiting till my next oil change in 6 months at 82,000 miles to change the transmission fluid on my 2020 prius prime with 73,000 miles, but the color of the fluid on the prius C makes me want to do it sooner. However, I want to wait long enough to notice symptoms of an overfill or underfill, just incase they weren't competent. Does anyone have an idea of how long it would take to notice symptoms of an overfill or underfill on the prius C? My wife puts about 700 miles/month on the prius C (mostly highway) and I put about 1,600 miles/month on my prius prime.

    Just incase it makes a difference, the ICE is on for very little miles on my prius prime. I probably add about 10-20 gallons of gas a year to drive 18,700 miles. Last year I added ~12 gallons of gas. Not sure if this reduces the wear on the transmission or ATF at all. I figure the transmission is still working, regardless if the battery or ICE is being used.
     
    #25 pasta4breakfast, Feb 3, 2024
    Last edited: Feb 3, 2024