DIY Transmission Fluid Change?

The bottom plug is a drain plug not a fill plug and we know for sure that's a drain. If he pulls that plug alot more than a few ounces will come out.
And Its just like the Gen II for fill up. Fill it up till it dribbles out the top fill plug.
Were just not sure about the hex head pic on the drivers side with the disc brake in in the pic. I don't think Gen III has 2 fill plugs.

 

Not true! Don't say "We know" Who is we? If you fill from that side you can put 5 quarts in it and oil still wont come out, not that is a good thing. If you do however put the oil from that bolt, that is much higher on a level ground then remove the bottom fill bolt, oil will come out until it levels to the threads. I removed less then half a quart after i filled from that bolt by the wheel well access door pulled back that you can see in the first picture. I just want to help as much as i can others to not wonder in the unknown like i did. Having pictures helps so much a diy project.

 

OK then Toyota knows the capacity of the transaxle is only 3.5 US quarts.

 

this is getting entertaining!
I think my favorite one might be the guy who lies to his toyota parts guy to get supplies without feeling foolish. But the new "mystery plug" is definitely gaining ground!

 

It sounds like you're good now, ie: that second fill plug is in the transaxle fluid circuit, just a little higher.

 

The bolt on the driver's side is NOT a fill port. It is one of four "Resolver Adjuster Bolts". The other three are hidden by the oil pump. Please do not disturb or remove this bolt.
See the third bullet point under notice, and part callout *5 in the chart below.

NOTICE:

• Do not use gloves, cloths or papers that produce lint or dust.
• Cover the removed parts with plastic bags to prevent entry of foreign matter.
• Do not remove the generator cable terminal, motor cable terminal, transaxle housing cover, rear transaxle case cover sub-assembly or resolver adjuster bolts.
  
  Text in Illustration
  
  *1
  Generator Cable Terminal
  *2
  Motor Cable Terminal
  *3
  Transaxle Housing Cover
  *4
  Rear Transaxle Case Cover Sub-assembly
  *5
  Resolver Adjuster Bolt
  -
  -

 

What is a "resolver"? What does it do?

 

A resolver is a rotary position sensor. It's signal can also be used to determine rotation speed. I don't know which rotating part in the transmission this one is reading.

 

The resolver is a sensor that detects the rotational position, direction, and speed of the rotor in MG1 and MG2 (MG=MotorGenerator). The resolver in this case is for MG2. The resolver signal is an input to the power management control ECU (HV ECU).

 

I went to the dealer today and bought 4 qts of ATF WS and the transaxle drain and fill plug gaskets. They didnt ask any questions or try to up-sell me. Total $43.69.

The gaskets appear to be aluminum or some pot metal, I assume they are crush washers. Do these look correct?

I also bought a harbor freight transfer pump and plan to pump the fluid in as described after draining.

Saturday morning will be busy.

 

They are right as near as I can tell from the picture. They are aluminum which is commonly used for crush washers instead of copper.

 

Yeah, you dont want copper with aluminum.

 

did mine at 40k today. Tried to siphon it out like I did on my 2006 only got about 2 quarts. Had to use the drain plug on this one. I pumped about a quarter of a bottle in with the drain off to clean it out some more. Took about 3.75 quarts to start comming out the fill hole. The stuff I pulled out was almost black.

 

Now that is the color/opacity I would expect out of the trans-axle.

 

Did you take the bottom engine cover off before draining out the bottom hole?

Thanks!

 

Access is as easy as an oil change.
Just open the oil change flapper door, (if your car has one).
The fill and drain plugs are right there.
Disregard that crazy talk about any plug on the left side.
Disregard that crazy guy that insists Toyota has a master plan that this is their only gearbox, in their entire fleet, that dose not need to have the dirty, nasty fluid changed, forever and ever.
As said before, it's just a gearbox with gears and bearings. It needs a clean lube.
Why buy an ultra cheap chinese fluid pump that can fling gadknowswhat into your clean fresh lube?
This is all that is needed for your transaxle's long life :

 

So, who wants to come to Huntsville, Alabama and do my transaxle fluid change for me? I'd almost rather have the dealer do it than me. I'm questioning whether I'm gonna mess with it all.

 

The dealer will do it for about $200.

 

Mine charged $109, Grenada MS and back can't be farther than 10 gallons of gas.

 

It is easy. Similar to an engine oil change.
Crush washers get deformed when torqued down.
These are just aluminum washers.
They don't get deformed like typical thin copper and fiber washers or spark plug-like washers.
But if you feel better buying new washers, do it.
The main thing is to get fresh clean lube in the transaxle.
The old fluid is the chits.
Look at any of the analyses of fluids from a Prius transaxle.