2013 Prius with 200K mi. Toyota says don't drain and refill transmission fluid

they sometimes say that because toyota has called it lifetime fluid.

any indie mech can do it for you. should be $150.-200.

 

Shiett I'll do it for 88 bux.

 

More succinctly, Toyota has said nothing. Well not exactly, I think there’s a mention of changing it if you’ve had certain extreme conditions. Anyway:

Yes, change it. It’s a simple drain-and-fill, roughly the complexity of an oil change. A responsible pro should not charge over $100 USD.

There’s more info in one of the links in my signature.

(On a phone turn it landscape to see signatures)

 

Gets done on mine some empty out like brown sludge . Permanent alright . He he

 

More like lifetime OF the fluid

 

It's important to understand that a Prius is waaaay easier on its transmission fluid than most cars.

It is absolutely possible to run a Prius through a long rich life without ever changing the fluid.

So you need to use your judgement.

Have you been doing anything that would overheat the transmission? Have there been any unusual failures? Any indication of leakage?

The answers to those for most people are "no x3" so the answer for most people is that it's fine to leave it in forever.

It won't hurt to drain and fill the fluid as long as it is done correctly, but you aren't hurting your car by skipping it either.

 

Remember the old UPS ads?

What can BROWN do to you?

 

Take whom evers advice makes sense to you. These days you'll have a 50/50 chance of being right, maybe a little higher if it's your first time changing it DIY, and maybe a bit lower or a lot lower when taking it to a shop to have it done.

 

That's a good reason to not do it.

Doing it wrong can hurt you, the car or both.

 

What’s your situation? Are you street parked, driveway, garage, underground condo, or?

if DIY definitely is not an option, get a local mechanic to do it. To be on the safe side, and expedite his job, bring them:

4qts Toyota ATF WS (transaxle fluid)

2 fill/drain bolt washers (they’re identical)

Virgin funnel with 3 foot clear plastic tubing extension, max OD 5/8” (avoid contam)

Print out of attached Repair Manual excerpt.

considering you’re supplying everything, $50~80 would be fair price.

 

And that is directly related to the fluid being loaded up with particles shed from friction devices like clutches, bands and belts.

Those would be the clutches, bands and belts that a Prius transmission doesn't even have.

 

My near-constant, under-car companion:



My drill for raising the whole car:


^ my rear jack stand location

^my front jack stand location

^ shims to adjust for out of plane garage floor

 

Are those links of chain that are visible in the picture of your front jack?

 

Oh yeah, I wrapped some chain 'round the catalytic converter rear cut-zone, secured it every turn or two with nut/bolt, and permanent lock-tight on the outer couple of fasteners. it can be removed, but it's more of a chore. Also engriaved VIN on the cat: I don't know that it deters them, but might help catch them.

Never heard of that. Just drain (all) and refill. I'm not sure how you'd replace part of it, for that matter: it comes roaring out.

 

There is NO partial drain on a Prius; it more like a manual transmission setup. Removing the drain plug will remove 95% of the ATF. the other 5% is in the cooling loop or pooling on the edges of the transmission/transaxle. An old school hydromatic transmission; you can only remove about half; the other half is stuck in the sealed torque converter. This is probably why your getting conflicting information.
IMHO; the safest way of doing this is putting the front end on ramps. Remove the fill plug FIRST, then the drain plug. If they've never been done those plugs are very tight. You'll need a 10mm hex socket and a breaker bar. Once it's drained; replace the drain plug; install the hose with a funnel on it - then jack up the rear end to level. Dump in 3 quarts and go slow with the last half to three-quarters quart; till it starts dripping out of the fill hole. EASY-PEASY. Heck; you might even get better mileage out of it, once the brown goo has been removed.

Good Luck.....

The answer is a possible $6K bill to replace the transmission/tranaxle.

 

To avoid using a car lift, dig an inspection pit.