Transaxle Oil Analysis

I have gone twise to toyota dealer to do transmission fluid replace on my 2009 prius with 54k and all 3 times I was told they don do fuid change on prius beause of the kind of transmission it come with. The only thing I have to change on transmission is the coolant at 100k. Doing transmission fluid before that would void my warranty.
I explaind I've seen videos when replacing fluid at 30k miles for example how dark the fluid is and they said thats ok, fluid gets heat every day and turns purple wich is normal, these transmissions and fluid were designed to be there for at least 100k without any service other than coolant.

Another transmission guy told me exactly the same thing. Toyota said they can still do it for me but it I have problem with transmission warranty will be voided.

So now dont know who is right. One thing I can tell you, I also own a 2002 honda odyssey and did the first transmission fluid service at 100k and no problems at all.

 

Toyota cannot void your warranty simply for changing the transaxle fluid. In order to do so, they would need to prove how changing the fluid led to a mechanical failure. Moreover, it is pretty laughable to argue that changing the fluid would cause a problem. Oh, I forgot... cars run better when the fluids are dirty and high in wear metals

As another poster mentioned a while back: Ignore Toyota - it's your car. And as another PC member pointed out, the dealerships make more money when you need major repairs. Thus, I suggest you go ahead and change the fluid either on your own or at an independent garage.

 

High metal wear. Mostly from the diff section. Notice the calcium and boron going way down. Those 2 are used as acid mitigation used to extend the life of the fluid. But it also contributes to metal wear.

I don't like Blackstone because they do not do a TBN or a TAN. And TAN is the important one especially for our cars as it tells how acidic the fluid is getting and the true indication of fluid life in that particular trans.

Acid is bad as it may attack the windings.

 

Is there an alternate lab that you recommend for future analyses?

 

I use wearcheck.com $24.95 includes TAN

Look at my last posts here with my UOA from them.

 

For motor oil, I've always had TBN with my UOAs at Blackstone. They also do TAN as well.... but both are extra.

 

Didn't want to start a new thread asking about price, is $90 a decent charge for this job from my local Toyota dealership?

 

Yeah it's not bad. Doing it myself, it's about $40 for 4 liters of Toyota ATF-WS, and $5 for the pair of washers.

 

Thanks for your answer!

I might do it myself, problem is both my floor jacks are leaking oil. I can still do it, it'd just take a while.

 

Mid 70's for the 5 times I had it done. But the price may have went up.

 

Was that from a dealer or an independent mechanic? I'd like to get in on that price.

 

Supplies with tax is around $45~50. Add $30 min for labour, so $80 min.

Looking for cheaper, they'll likely reuse washers and maybe substitute another fluid.

 

$80 is ok. I had a receipt from the dealer the first time they in theory did it so they honored that price the next few times. It should be cheaper than an oil change in theory as it is just a drain and fill. 4qts of bulk Tranny fluid???? No canister filter to change. Just got an oil and filter change (dealer) with a coupon for $59. Check the dealer service coupons online.

At $80 they are over charging for Tranny fluid but that may be your best deal. There is a thread on different oils used and results. Safest thing is have the dealer do it or do it somewhere else and don't tell any body it was done.

 

4 QTS GENUINE TOYOTA ATF WS Automatic Transmission oil Fluid ATFWS Lexus Scion | eBay

At $38.50 it is still over priced.

 

I changed mine yesterday and boy does that feel nice! 118,000 and never a trans oil change. My old oil was black like the bottle it comes in new, and I'm getting significantly better mileage with the new stuff. If it's more viscous new then I'd imagine my mileage will continue to increase with time (as the new oil breaks down).

 

DIY?

 

Yeah. Pretty easy, just messy.

 

Congratulations.

Funnel and hose from above? I get the sense using a transfer pump from below is more trouble than it's worth.

 

Yep, drained old oil in pan that measured 4 quarts exact. Poured new oil from above. Torqued both bolts to 29 lb/ft

Followed instructions here: Toyota Prius: How to Change the Transmission/Transaxle Fluid - PriusDIY.com

Except I jacked up all four corners to level it out

 

Transfer pump from above is what I do and takes ~5 minutes to pump in all 4 quarts.