2 questions about changing brake and transmission fluid

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by BNorCal, May 22, 2021.

  1. BNorCal

    BNorCal New Member

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    The manual for my 2014 Prius doesn't call for brake and transmission fluid changes, but my mechanic said that whatever maintenance schedule he uses calls for them, so I did my first brake and transmission fluid change with him when our car hit 61K miles recently.

    I had another 2014 Prius that was unfortunately totaled around the 150K mile mark (shortly after I paid it off; RIP), and I didn't do either of those fluid changes until my mechanic mentioned I should. When I did a transmission fluid change at 100K miles, he said it was pretty dark and dirty, so I made sure I did it after that.

    I've been told that both fluids are supposed to last the lifetime of the car, and I was recently on a Jeep Cherokee forum, where those fluids are also supposed to be of the lifetime variety, and someone said to be careful with transmission fluid changes because you have to use the right kind of fluid, which is pricey. They said that it's better to just leave the transmission fluid alone.

    Two questions:

    1. Anyone else here doing brake and transmission fluid changes on their Priuses?

    2. If so, are you making sure you use a specific kind of brake and transmission fluid?
     
    #1 BNorCal, May 22, 2021
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    1. In Canada for the Gen 3 onwards, the brake fluid change is part of the "brake service" that's done every 32,000km. (20k miles).

    Transmission fluid isn't required in Canada but based off the advice of PC members here, I did have mine changed (can't remember when). We recently changed our Gen 4's transmission fluid around 64,000km (40k miles)

    2. We did all maintenance at the Toyota dealer. The Toyota dealer uses BG fluids and oil outside of the warranty period.
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, May 22, 2021
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    At least in the 2014 model year Prius Owners Manual Supplement, there was a specific service for brake fluid change, and it was 48k kms (30k miles) or 36 months.

    Screen grab from page 25:

    4956E97B-8E2C-45A5-B338-EBB3CD582AC1.jpeg

    PDFs available here:

    Owner’s Manuals and Emergency Response Guides - Toyota Canada


    Later years, they cease including the maintenance schedule in the OMS, only have it on their website, and in a VERY clunky format. :(
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, May 22, 2021
    Last edited: May 22, 2021
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  4. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Only use Toyota brake and transaxle fluids. Any new fluid will mix with some of the old and you don't want to risk a reaction.
     
    #4 rjparker, May 22, 2021
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  5. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Yes. Transaxle fluid is easy. I have changed it on the first five Prii we've owned. Not yet on the wife's Prius because it only has 26k miles on it. Many here do their own brakes, but I'd rather leave the brakes to the pros.

    Absolutely! The owners manual for my 2013 PiP should say the same as yours:
    Edit to add: some people like to use other brands of ATF, but there's not much to be gained (maybe save 50 cents a year?) and lots to lose if it goes sideways on you.
     
    #5 jerrymildred, May 23, 2021
    Last edited: May 23, 2021
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  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    And here I am naive to think that a brake fluid replacement would be done with the brake service lol.
     
    #6 Tideland Prius, May 23, 2021
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  7. Mdv55

    Mdv55 Active Member

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    Swapped the transmission fluid about 80k ago with Amsoils low viscosity fluid. Will do again shortly.

    Haven't bothered to do the brake fluid yet. It was changed in 2018 just before I bought the car.
     
    #7 Mdv55, May 25, 2021
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