transmission oil (ATF) change interval

ATF - the general conscensus on here is that the ATF needs to be changed in the neighborhood of 30,000 miles and then each 60,000 miles thereafter. Used oil analysis indicates a low viscosity at this mileage. Also, when changing the oil is very dark. Some dealers have balked at this since it is not in the Toyota maintenance schedule. You may have to insist to have it changed or either change it yourself.

Coolant - the general conscensus again is to change the engine coolant and the inverter coolant every 50,000 miles. When changing the engine coolant you need to be careful to bleed the air out of the system.

 

First change on mine was 20K, I am now changing at 30K intervals. Here is some good information: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...on/69919-zvw30-transmission-oil-analysis.html

 

Coolant lasts for 100K miles, no problem.

 

I think that if you did a little research on what a Prius actually is, you would quickly realize WHY there was no mention of an ATF change required for your car. ..... The Prius doesn't have a transmission .....

No clutch, no torque converter, no gearshift, and, yes, NO TRANSMISSION. What might be considered a transmission is a SINGLE PLANETARY gear set between the gas motor and the two electric motors.

In case you haven't noticed, your 'gearshift' in the car is nothing more than a joystick ... like on your computer.

Incidentally, the service interval on the 2010 Prius is now 10,000 miles ... per the notification I got from Toyota last year. Your 40,000 mile service ... using Mobil 1 and at the dealer should only cost maybe $60. That's what I pay.

 

$60 in Texas is $120 in L.A., guess not everything is bigger in Texas!

 

Please do more than a little research. For example, look at Ed's picture of used fluid in the thread linked below. But, if you feel comfortable running black transmission fluid, that's okay too.

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...ooting/88903-transmission-fluid-change-3.html

 

I have been doing mine every 15,000 miles so far.

 

Soooo - if it isn't ATF fluid being changed here - what is this stuff?

 

It is ATF, specifically Toyota ATF WS, though Redline D6 is sometimes mentioned as an alternative. Goes in red, comes out black, unless it is changed every so often.

 

That's not a problem, I measured mine the first time I changed it and only about a tenth of a quart remained in the transaxle. No need to flush, it's not much different than changing the oil in a manual transmission or a differential.

 

My dealer charges me $100 for the ATF Drain and Refill.

JeffD

 

Ask for a breakdown of parts and labor. The labor guide quotes 0.6 hours. If they have a 1 hour minimum for services beyond oil and tires, then I guess that would explain it.

 

Dealer here charged me $7.20 a quart for Toyota ATF-WS with the discount I get because I bought the car from them, normal full retail is $8.00 a quart. It will take 3 1/2 quarts so they should give you 1/2 a quart back but you will probably have to ask for it.

 

It should cost a bit more than an engine oil and filter change. The fluid cost is slightly higher than (say) Toyota 0W20 engine oil, But there's no filter change, so basically next to no difference in parts. There's a couple of washers to replace, vs one with an oil change. They're sort-of entitled to charge a slight premium, just because it's an unusual service, but that's about it.

It should not be costing $190. With their knowhow, and having a proper 4-corner hydraulic lift, it is very straightforward for the dealership. Check out another dealer?