Toyota Prius 2010-2015 Transmission drain and refill

I bought mine from Harbor Freight for around $5.00 and threw it away. They work but are by no means a well built tool.

 

They are identical. Same package, picture, you just paid too much.

 

China is notorious for manufacturing counterfeit knockoff items, especially tools. I wouldn't be surprised if HF is selling the cheap Chinese stuff.

SCH-I535

 

"China", or Pacific Rim, is making almost everything. I have been in many hardware stores and seen the exact same tools as harbor freight made in China and branded for retail. And not every tool made in China is a copy of an American tool. In fact the tools you see that are identical were probably always made in the same plant in China, just branded differently. Not everything made in China is bad. Just inexpensive. And some pure junk. Same as American made tools.

I have no doubt that the pump I bought would last a very long time. But for $5.00, actual retail was $9.00 but on sale for $5.00, it is not worth cleaning and letting it sit on the shelf for 3 yrs collecting dust. I got enough of that kind of stuff on my shelves.

 

This might seem extravagant in light of the above argument over a few bucks. I have the Motive Power Fill. It is a great tool for filling the Prius transmission; no mess or waste and less effort to use than a hand pump or funnel and hose contraption.

POWER FILL PRO 2.5 gallon

 

Nice!

I think next time I will get a helper and use the gravity method. Quick and easy!

 

Great video. I recently had the fluid changed on mine at a local private garage for a half hour labor charge.

The tranny area on yours looks ultra-clean; I wouldn't have thought the plastic shield would do such a good job of shielding, unless you clean the engine bay on a regular basis, in which case, I would be interested in watching a video of it. I have been hesitant to clean the bay for fear of disturbing all the electricals in there...

 

Are you serious ???? there are two extremly strong magnets (the two mgs) makes absolute no difference if the plug has a magnet or not any magnetic particle will be stock to the stater of either of the MGs ...

If I understand correctly what is inside of the transaxel and where the fluid goes...

 

A funnel and about 3' of hose works fine

 

Yes, a $4 funnel and an extra $1 of hose works great. The funnel even has covers for both ends to keep it all clean until next time. Why complicate something so simple with an expensive and questionable pump?


Also, a long 3/8" extension lets you get out in the open and carefully apply the torque required to break those plugs free. They can be really tight. But you can do it without leaving knuckle skin behind!

Yes, MG1 and 2 have strong multple magnets in them but they are deep in the layered rotors which spin at high RPMs. The stators should not retain any magnetism.
Besides, I had fuzz/dust on the magnet at my next ATF change, but I did not get a photo of it.
It is cheap filtering. Previous generations had magnetic drain plugs.
It was just a suggestion...

 

well I based my observation on the "transmission" video where the MGs got iron object stuck VERY VERY strongly to their outside so can see it takes real force to remove them.

And MGs do not always spin that fast ... and I do not know but doubt any small particle will be expelled after stuck to them...

Sure magnetic plug would not hurt but do not think as usefull or necessary as in conventional conventional case.

 

MG2 is directly connected to the axles, always spins when car is in motion. I considered a 108 MPH (?) topend blast to fling stuff off MG2 before an ATF change but was not feeling lucky....
Rarely is MG1 not spinning, but when it is stationary you are most efficient.!

I observed fuzz/dust trapped on the magnet I added to my drain plug.
Cheap $2.50 improvement to the design,, imho.

 

When the MG's stop spinning at a rate that would dislodge any attracted iron, the iron would immediately reattach itself to the MG's.

 

Not if the ferrous specks have been dispersed in the fluid and then sunk to the bottom.
My magnetic drain plug modification had a layer of fuzz on it. How is this explained?
It's a good thing.

 

Brain fart. Please ignore.