Conversation Today with my Hybrid Tech about Transaxle (PSD) Fluid Change Interval

"Because all the interactions in the transaxle are basically gear-to-gear, and there are no hydrostatic frictions like in a regular transmission, they are not seeing any breakdown of the fluid before the scheduled maintenance interval. The recommendation was that many short trips is a 'severe duty' condition for the fluid, and it should replaced at about twice the normal interval. That would be around 45K."


So, the 'unofficial' PSD fluid change interval is 90,000 miles? I say unofficial since it is NOWHERE to be seen in the maintenance booklet, the owner's manual, or warranty booklet. I've looked. I must be missing it if it's mentioned. Only time I've seen it mentioned is here on PriusChat! Well, that IS where all the good info is...

I'm still waffling on the change...from the sound of things the actual tranny fluid is less than 50 bucks and the procedure to change seems pretty straight forward for the do-it-yourselfer. Both the fluid and procedure to change it is mentioned in another "PSD" thread, sorry I can't remember whom to give credit to.

I am still puzzled that such a MAJOR hybrid component hasn't warranted (pun intended) more text in the associated Prius owners manuals.

I'll probably do the 50,000 mile change, seems easier to remember when it comes time for another one at 100,000, and so on.

Any other input from Prius worry-warts?

Cheers,
Curt.

 

How does one know what the fluid temps, are should be, and what is optimal if you can not monitor them. How short is short. WHAT IS THE DEFITION OF IS? So many questions. I can at this point monitor the temps in MG1 and MG2 as well as the inverters, but what does the data mean? I hope there may be a bit of sharing on Toyota's part. I would guess that they do not have Kindergarten in Japan and don't get the sharing thing yet? It is not like it will not be figured out.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(finman @ May 26 2006, 01:52 PM) [snapback]261464[/snapback]</div>

what does it say on page 24 of your warranty booklet. On both the 2k3 and the 2k4 booklets page 24 it say's change the PSD fluid at 72 months or 96,000 km's (approx 60,000 miles)

 

I looked on page 24 of ALL the booklets (maintenance, warranty, users, and owner's manuals) I received when the Prius was new ('04), as well as page 24 in ALL the 2005 booklets (her silver Prius). I then paged thru the booklets, thinking page 24 might be for Canada (given the KMs reference). Nope. I can't find ANY info on the PSD. Zero.

(Sigh). Maybe mine is special and it doesn't need attention...

I am still planning to ask my dealer's service people. Maybe they might know more, but I'm not holding my breath. I can almost hear them "...uh...oh...yeah...you want to change that clutch out since it's belt driven off the muffler bearings..."

Cheers,
Curt.

 

I have an '06, and have searched EXHAUSTIVELY in vain for the service requirements on the transaxle, cooling system, brakes, etc. This is the first new car I've owned in 45 years that does not have a completel mtc schedule SOMEWHERE in the documentation. The only reference is the regular 5k / 6 mo. oil / filter change, and a reference to inspections, with NO indication of what the default replacement period is for all of the other fluids.


I would be happy to have anyone with an '06, or a dealer tech who reads these posts, to kindly post the real [not dealer-sell] maintenance requirements for this car. Anyone?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jrct9454 @ May 30 2006, 09:54 AM) [snapback]262688[/snapback]</div>

Have you checked the little blue booklet that came with your car titled "2006 Prius Scheduled Maintenance Guide". It should have the maintenance schedule for every 5,000 miles upto 120,000 miles. At least that's what came with my 2005 Prius.

There about 4 extra little blue booklets (about 4"x7") that came with your Prius. These are separate from the owner's manual. One of them is the scheduled maintanence guide.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Marlin @ May 30 2006, 07:03 AM) [snapback]262690[/snapback]</div>

Yes, I found that in the collection of books. Thanks. However, in reference to this discussion, I find NO recommended interval for replacement of the ATF nor the coolant - only "inspections" at 30k intervals.

If you read the booklet carefully, the only REPLACEMENT items that have a fixed interval are the oil and filter, and the cabin and engine air filters. Everything else is "inspection only". I'd like a Prius tech to comment on that, if anyone is listening.....

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jrct9454 @ May 30 2006, 11:25 AM) [snapback]262721[/snapback]</div>

Well, it's certainly not obvious, but I've found the replacement interval for the Engine and Inverter Coolant.

The 2005 Scheduled Maintenance guide shows replacing the Engine and Inverter Coolant at 100K miles. There's a footnote number next to that, and if you read the really tiny print of that footnote, it says "Initial replacement at 100,000 miles/120 months. Replace every 50,000 miles/60 months thereafter."

 

Also, spark plugs are to be replaced at 120,000 miles. But, yeah, NOTHING about replacing PSD oil...just inspect it.

I'm about 8,000 miles shy of 50K, leaning towards doing the PSD oil change myself then, and again at 100K, repeat every 50K 'till plug-in lithium Prius arrives!

Cheers,

Curt.

 

The '06 maintenance book mentions neither plugs nor coolant nor transaxle fluids, in terms of REPLACEMENT intervals. If anyone with an '06 can point out something different to me, I would certainly appreciate it.

As I said, I've never had a new car [and I've had over 50 of them] with a less clear indication of these maintenance items....and leaving it up to the dealer is a laughable exercise in throwing away money, as we all know.


And it isn't all about saving money - I hate to have any tech fooling with the car when it's not necessary. My experience is that is an invitation to mistakes and inadvertent damage. Oil and filter changes are hard to screw up [though some techs have managed to do that, too], but every time they crack an access port or open a seal, it's a chance to introduce the law of unintended consequences.

Thus, I want to do what is really necessary, and not one thing more. The 2006 mtc booklet makes that very hard to figure out...

 

Well, I stopped by Toyota today and asked about the PSD oil. The Toyota service manager and the Prius tech both told me the PSD and it's oil is a "non-serviceable item". It uses the same WS (World Standard) ATF as the new Tundras and Tacomas and they also are considered non-serviceable auto trannys.

Not that the Prius PSD is even close to a fluid-driven auto tranny, but nonetheless that's the word from my Toyota service dept. I did not talk directly to the tech, but the service manager did and relayed the meassge to me.

I asked about the actual WS ATF and he directed me to the parts dept. and sure enough they have it in stock at $46/gallon (about 4 Liters), comes in a metal rectangular can. The 2 washers for the drain and fill plug will run $2.10 each. So $50 plus tax.

I haven't decided whom to listen to/believe!

Still, I am leaning torwards a $50 preventative cost and longer PSD life versus Toyota saying no worries, it'll be fine without changing it.

The 90,000 KM/72 month interval must be Canadian only? What gives there? Too cold for too long? Wouldn't heat be a bigger enemy to lubricating gear oil break-down?

Cheers,

Curt.