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2010 Toyota Prius I, Transaxle/Transmission Fluid Change Help Please...

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by 2010_Prius_I_White, Jun 29, 2013.

  1. 2010_Prius_I_White

    2010_Prius_I_White Junior Member

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    Hey! I'm trying to change my trans fluid on my 2010 Toyota Prius I, but I go under there and look, and there's NO drain plug and NO filler plug! It's just completely solid, with a black electrical thing on the front (looks like an electric pump or sensor of some kind). I've watched videos, read articles, read manuals, and you guys are my last hope! I would just hate to have to take it in to the same dealer who's telling me "it's good way past 100k miles... blah blah blah..." .

    Any references to other resources or threads would be sooo helpful. Thanks everyone.
     
  2. 2010_Prius_I_White

    2010_Prius_I_White Junior Member

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    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    So these are the only two plugs I found, both facing the rear of the vehicle, on the drivers side, by what appears to be some kind of driveshaft and stablizer bar...

    Are these the drain and fill plugs?

    Thanks.
     

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  3. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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  4. 2010_Prius_I_White

    2010_Prius_I_White Junior Member

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  5. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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  6. PriusInParadise

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    I have attached an excerpt from the repair manual.
    The view is from the right side.
    The circle to the right of the filler plug, directly above the drain plug, is the right drive axle.

    There is a thread with photos, but the images are not appearing at this time.
    Help Identifying a few things | PriusChat
     

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  7. 2010_Prius_I_White

    2010_Prius_I_White Junior Member

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    [​IMG]
    So from what you're saying, I think, the thing I'm pointing at with this red arrow should have a black boot on it, with a large metal shaft sticking out from that? Some kind of driveline/driveshaft?
     
  8. dustoff003

    dustoff003 Blizzard Brigade #003

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    [​IMG]

    This is looking from the passenger side towards the drivers side. The drain plug is at the 6 o'clock position, the fill plug is at the 9 o'clock position just to the left of the cross shaft. Both the fill and drain plugs are the 10mm Allen head bolts. I just did mine yesterday, as recommended by others in the threads linked above before you drain it make sure you can get the fill plug out.


    Posted from my iPhone via the Tapatalk app.
     

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  9. 2010_Prius_I_White

    2010_Prius_I_White Junior Member

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    I guess that image isn't coming out right for some reason... been seein updates to the forum so maybe that's it, but I used Photobucket to get mine on here. Worth a try to help a fellow Blizzard Brigadier? :D
     
  10. dustoff003

    dustoff003 Blizzard Brigade #003

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    I got it see my previous post.


    Posted from my iPhone via the Tapatalk app.
     
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  11. 2010_Prius_I_White

    2010_Prius_I_White Junior Member

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    I see it now. Thanks. That's exactly what I needed to see... SO, TOYOTA o_Oo_O .... wanted to play HIDE and SEEK, huh? Thankfully, we have a great community here! I guess too many people were doing their own transaxle fluid changes and NOT buying CVTs from GenI and GenII :censored: ... We gotta fix that straightaway! :sneaky:
     
  12. dustoff003

    dustoff003 Blizzard Brigade #003

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    So what 2010 did you get the job done?


    Posted from my iPhone via the Tapatalk app.
     
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  13. 2010_Prius_I_White

    2010_Prius_I_White Junior Member

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    Yes! It went great! AND.... *drumroll*... I ... Got...

    VIDEO!

    Will be posting it up on this thread tomorrow I hope.
     
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  14. 2010_Prius_I_White

    2010_Prius_I_White Junior Member

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  15. Eclipse1701d

    Eclipse1701d Prius Enthusiast

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    Great Job! How many miles were on the car when you changed the fluid?
     
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  16. Maroon

    Maroon Member

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    Hehe, I did what you did and left the fill plug out when I unscrewed the drain plug, fluid gushed everywhere! Next time I won't forget to leave the fill plug in and get a nice controlled stream. I changed mine at 84k miles and my fluid didn't look as bad as yours as it still had a reddish tint to it. Took mine 3.75 qts to fill also.

    Good job with the video!
     
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  17. 2010_Prius_I_White

    2010_Prius_I_White Junior Member

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    Thanks! :D I was hoping it didn't come out too bad.

    75k, got the PriPri at 58k
     
  18. 2010_Prius_I_White

    2010_Prius_I_White Junior Member

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    Just make sure you at least crack it loose before removing it... I heard these CVTs build up pressure, and if you don't take the fill plug out first, you won't be able to get it out. That darn bar was in the way! Lol.

    Another note: In my opinion, I'm glad it drains to the side facing the passenger, only because the side to side leveling is easier than front to back. In my opinion! :)
     
  19. gliderman

    gliderman Active Member

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    Was it easy to remove the cover under the engine? Any screws or is it all just pins?

    Very nice! Thank you!
     
  20. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    I believe there are 11 clips that holds the plastic cover piece.
     
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