Price quotes on transaxle fluid change

They said they used Toyota ATF...not sure how many quarts but guessing it was 4. The dealer is called Joseph Toyota in Cincinnati, OH . They are located in off of Colerain Ave.

Can I get a cool Prius accessory as my prize ?

 

I just spent $37 including tax for four quarts of WS fluid. Getting the rookie behind the counter only got me a 10% discount instead of the usual 20% shop discount. FWIW I am a master tech. This will be my Prius' second trans drain and fill. Last time it came out darker, but not burnt, than I like to see. I have to admit to abusing my poor car. It pulls my boat while loaded with scuba gear.

As a service writer I wouldn't quote less than $100 so anything within $20 is fair, depending upon location, which dictates labor rates.

 

I did it during the electric coolant pump LSC recently. They charged me $125. I'm OK.
The transaxle runs smoother and much quieter after. That proved they did do the service. The WS fluid was charged $8 per gallon. For the electric pump, before the exahcnge, the swirl noticed at the reservoir was good enough. I'm sure that old pump was good enough. After the exchange, wow, the swirl was so powerful. like a transparent snake swimming inside. For sure the new designed pump will cool the converter in a good way. Follow up call from the service advisor rec'd after one week. Good service. (Capital Toyota,SJ.)

 

Peter C, how many miles on your two transaxle fluid changes? How many miles towing? In what state do you live? Are you saying that the second drain came out darker than the first, or that the first was the usual dark horrifying color that everyone seems to experience? I agree, $100 +/- $20 is the expectation that everyone here ought to have when they go to their favorite shop or dealer to have this service done.

 

I just changed the transaxle fluid myself. It was easy. The dealer parts guy tried to talk me out of it saying it was not required but I intend to keep the car for as long as it will go and it seemed like it would not be difficult after reading the posts here. Of course it helps that I have jacks and stands, etc. already and the 10mm hex and 24mm socket. Plus an inquisitive teenager. I bought a measuring funnel with a 2 ft tube so I could fill from the top. FWIW the old fluid was mildly discolored, dark red. It has 120K mostly highway miles of use. Anyway, this is easy, don't let a dealer rip you off.

 

My car has a little over 31,000 miles on it. I called the Toyota dealer to schedule an oil change and asked to have the transaxle fluid changed also. First they insisted on referring to it as transmission fluid. I figured - fine, let them call it what they want.

Then when I showed up for my appointment, the service writer mentioned that the transmission fluid wasn't really due to be changed until at least 60,000 miles, but they would change it if I wanted. I said yes I'd like it changed. She said the oil change would take about a half hour and the transmission fluid would take about an hour and a half. I thought that was kind of long considering it wasn't supposed to be much different than changing the oil.

So, they changed the oil, and then the service writer came back after talking with the mechanic. She said the mechanic didn't recommend changing it because it was World Standard fluid and was good until 100,000 miles. And the transaxle doesn't have a dip stick, plus they have to hook up a scantool to do the change and it would cost $280! And the mechanic said, if it was his car, he wouldn't change it.

I'm not sure what the "not having a dip stick" part was supposed to do with anything - maybe just their reasoning for why it didn't need to be changed - because it doesn't even have a dipstick for checking it. But after she mentioned the scantool and $280, I declined having it done. Apparantly they don't know it is just a simple drain and fill as others here have said.

I'll be moving to Arizona in a couple of months, so I will wait til I get down there and see if I can find somebody that knows what needs to be done, and can do it for a more reasonable cost.

By the way, can anyone recommend a good Toyota dealer in the Phoenix area? I'll be living in Surprise.

 

Exactly. Don't go back to your current dealer unless you have to. There is no problem whatsoever in putting a few thousand more miles on your car before changing this fluid. There are lots of people from PHX here and I'm sure that one of them will be able to recommend a good dealer and maybe even an independent shop.

 

I don't think I will bother trying to educate the Bismarck dealer since I won't be using them anymore. And the prius population around here isn't real large. I'm guessing most of them aren't on Priuschat, and won't be going in asking to have their transaxle fluid changed anyway.

 

Good call.

Hard to say what was going on behind the scenes, but it sounds like they might not have had the correct fluid on hand, realized this at the last minute (luckily for you), and then started bluffing.

Or something similar: whatever the reason, you're well shut of them.

 

BigDeal, changing motor or transaxle oils is a really easy DIY job. If I can do it, *anybody* can.

 

I've thought about doing some of this stuff myself, but I get a lot of resistance from the husband. Evidently he thinks I will screw it up, and my car will self-destruct afterwards! And he doesn't want to do it. So guess I'm stuck with the dealers!

 

You are giving up too easy

Suggest he work with you a time or two to convince both of you it was done right, and then invite him to a treat with some of the money saved. The savings are considerable; and quite frankly the dealer is more likely to screw something up than you are.

This website has GREAT DIY tutorials, often authored by Pat Wong

 

I agree. Lots of great step-by-step instructions and pictures on these forums. I figured with all that help these basic maintenance things would be doable.

But the problem is, when we move, it will be to a new house. And then he will have the excuse he doesn't want anything spilled on the nice clean garage floor!

 

To DIY we do have to invest in safety equipments (especially when we want to raise the car and work under it) and proper tools (for example a good torque wrench to ensure the fill and drain plugs are tightened correctly). I only started DIY about 2 years ago and so far I am losing money (compared to bringing the car to the dealer) because of the money spent on tools. At least I got some physical exercises and sense of satisfaction out of it. Just my 2 cents.

 

Just cut and flatten your cardboard moving boxes and spread them on the garage floor to catch occasional spills. Easier on your knees and back too.

 

It was what I call easy to change. Did my 02 with 180k and quite simple. Couple feet of clear hose with a funnel. Cant imagine paying that kind of money for this job.
Don

 

OK, I'm settled in AZ now and thought I'd find a place to get my transaxle fluid changed. I found an independent shop nearby that specializes in imports and called them.

The woman I spoke to said that they aren't allowed to do transaxle fluid changes. She said all the shops have gotten bulletins from Toyota saying they are not to do them because the fluid is meant to last the life of the car and changing it will void your warranty. And if anything happens to your transmission, Toyota will take care of it, but not if you have had your fluid changed. She said as much as they disagree with Toyota, their hands are tied - they cant' do it for me.

Has anyone else heard of this. Evidently I am not going to be getting my fluid changed.

 

I wholeheartedly agree: you have to be careful, do it right. Eventually it will pay off, but it can be frustrating picking up all the tools and lift equipment. One thing I do for insurance now: whenever I'm going to get under the car, besides safety stands, I push a big chopping block (tree trunk section) under there first, under a main framing piece. Basically: it's thicker than me.

I'd go for it, doing it yourself, if at all possible. I did ours a couple of weekends back. Picked up 4 liters for $9~ per, and replacement washers for the drain and fill plugs.

You need a decent funnel with a length of plastic tubing, to snake down through the engine bay. You also need four sturdy safety stands, and a floor jack. I used 6 ton safety stands with min. height around 15", and a 3 ton floor jack with max (unloaded) lift of around 21".

With that setup I'm able to raise the whole car about 12" and and set it level (requirement for getting transaxle fluid level right.

You also need a torque wrench and a 10mm hex socket driver, for both fill and drain plugs. I'd also recommend to take the engine underpanel off completely.

Hmmm, instead of babbling on, here's another thread with more info on my change:

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...hooting/90272-engine-under-panel-removal.html

(post #9)

Addendum: just noticed you're second gen. In that case, there are some differences in fill/drain plug types, and qty (slightly less??) of fluid needed. 3rd gen is 3.3 liter at change. We managed to slop in closer to 4, and let some drain back out. 4 should do, anyhow.

 

No one would be able to tell if the fluid was changed, unless the wrong fluid is used, in which case Toyota would be potentially justified in voiding the warranty. It is possible that they just don't want to do it since they can only get the fluid from a Toyota dealership. Try a different shop.