Changing the transmission fluid on a 2010 Prius

I agree. I expect your level will be a little low if you filled it with the car on ramps.

I recently did a D+F on my 2012. New car to me so I took my sweet time. Did an oil change too. Removed the entire engine undercover to get a good look at everything, etc. And part of that plan was to do all that while parked heading in (4 degrees uphill) on my driveway, then jacked up (maybe +8* total), easy access to all my tools, shade, etc. is why I did it that way. That may have helped the oil and ATF drain.

Then I filled ATF, used a funnel from above, with no spillage (1/2" ID = 5/8" OD soft vinyl hose is a perfect fit inside the fill hole) got 3 full quarts in before any fluid remained in the hose. So I of course stopped at that point.

Then I turned the car around so it was facing downhill in my driveway, jacked it up until level (confirmed with a 4' carpenter's level) and put in about 0.6-0.7 more quarts at that point.

So the amount of ATF you can get in there is definitely affected by the level of the car. The specification for filling is that the level be 0-10 mm below the bottom edge of the fill opening. Figuring it is more likely that eventually some may come out vs. get in there, I filled right to the max there. The spec capacity is 3.5 quarts (and of course that does not include spillage).

Some pics from my gravity fill funnel method. The long screwdriver was stuck inside the hose so that I could easily poke it down through the gap from above to below. One man job this way.

 

Just giving everyone some options on a quicker cheaper alternative to buying a pump with moving parts and a diaphragm that will give out eventually vs a gallon jug and cheap materials

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Pro Tip: Change out the inverter and radiator coolant at the same time (and maybe do an oil change) to avoid an extra remove/install of the splash guard, which IMO is the hardest part of the job. Also reduces trips to recycle the old fluids. Coolants are easier than the transmission fluid. Took me about two hours for the coolant transmission fluid (I'm slow). You need three of the crush washers. All are the same size.

 

I’ve done these changes both ways.
The problem with using the tube is that you’re going to spill. When the transmission is full the tube will very quickly fill with fluid and when it either pops off or you have to take it off. A big mess ensures.

Problem with the pumps is the one I bought (Harbor Freight) doesn’t fit the one quart transmission fluid bottles. Which makes it horrible to use. And still easy to spill.

Luckily, this is a once in 50-75K procedure.

 

With a funnel, you can pour with gusto the first 3 quarts, then just do ~100 cc at a time, with an oil catch pan under. Too: Toyota recommends to only use fluid from newly opened bottles, so no real loss, ie I wouldn’t store left overs for next time.

 

Thoughts and opinions on using Toyota WS vs valvoline or other comparable fluids?

 

Toyota's opinion (page 563 of Onwer's Manual):

 

You must reminder that certain compromises were made in the formulation of those universal ATF to cover the widest possible numbers of transmissions out there - therefore wider audience and higher sales volume.

Therefore IMHO; I'd stick with what I know is formulated specifically for this transmission. People are running the original ATF in those transmissions for over 150K+ miles. Has anyone else tried the same with a comparable ATF?

 

Considering that you're only talking about 4 quarts of fluid every few years, I don't see much reason to use anything but Toyota WS. Ain't really much cost difference in the long run.

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Ther es a dedicated thread that covered this already w/ a table of who used which off brand and then someone hi jacked the thread with engine oil use.

 

Eww, I would never use engine oil for that.

 

Any one know what is the drain plug and refill plug part number for 2010 prius.
Thanks