High Mileage Transaxle Fluid Change

The cost is quite low, why not just change it and be done with it

 

Never too late. Would you be DIY'ing?

 

Allow me to stir up the crowd. The transmission doesn't have any bands in it, its not like a regular transmission that if you change the oil now it will fail. But there are just gears and bearings, both steel, and magnets in it to collect anything that wears off. Change it if you want, its cheap. I have changed a handful to make me feel better but really your just pretending. It would be fine if you just leave it alone or fine if you change it. BTW I did manage to strip a plug on my 2010, ended up having to use a chisel to get it out. Not a big deal and the plug was like 5 bucks but again, just leave it alone. Clean your battery fan. Replace your rear latch shocks, clean the carpet, all would be more valuable.

 

What were you using to break it loose?

 

allen wrench if I remember correctly, its soft. It was the fill plug, like I said no big deal a metal chisel just popped it open and I ran it in enough to hold till the replacement part came in. Now that I think about it, the replacement is still in the glove compartment. Need to put that in sometime. oops! here is a little proof im on the level. I did an engine swap on this lexus, which uses the same fluid and has clutches, but that's not what the prius has. Also the plug I seem to have spaced out. I know I wont be changing the fluid again so its not priority.

 

Maybe 3/8" Allen key too, which is a little smaller than 10 mm?

A proper 10 mm Allen key style socket (usually 3/8" drive) is the way to go. They usually come in a set, for maybe $15.

Use it with a long handled wrench (with reducer if needed) and it's easy. Torque value is 29 ft/lb.

 

Change it.

I've done "first time" transaxle fluid changes on well over a dozen Gen 2s. Although that's not a LOT, I've seen quite the range of fluid come out. Everything from solid black with the consistency of water to still noticeably reddish and probably good to go.

Just do it for peace of mind, if for no other reason.

 

Bad idea not to change the fluid....... I know first hand...... just a suggestion.....
#10 hex..... never stripped one and I've done it four times.

 

ok well who has one of these in your back yard. All you guys who have changed out a prius transmission raise that hand up high

I have

 

What failed in the transaxle to require replacement?

 

one too many trips pulling a trailer back and forth from Texas to California

 

What was the average mileage between ATF changes?

 

How did you kill that trans blew out a winding?

Easiest way to kill a G2 trans is to over load the car or trailer than go find yourself a huge mountain and make sure the hybrid battery charge is low and then when the car starts slowing down going up the mountain floor it all the way up like it’s a magic car, that will burn up a motor winding guaranteed especially if the inverter trans coolant or trans fluid has never been changed.

The trans in a g2 is a technical marvel but it’s achilles heal is that scenario. Super high load with low power. Other than that it’s pretty bulletproof.

Change the fluid it’s easy just jack the front of the car up as high as you can open the fill bolt first then open the dump bolt and dump it. clean the magnet then get a long funnel you snake from the top into the side fill hole. Put 4 quarts of Toyota WS in it bolt it back up and done deal. Done that 3 times on my 07 so far over the years.

Good luck.

 

That's a funny looking Gen 2 Prius!

 

Regarding the 10 mm hex socket head cap screw: Honda keeps it simple; the automatic transmission drain bolts have a 3/8" square recess: a regular 3/8" ratchet wrench is all you need.

 

That's done it. I'm going to trade in my Prius for a Honda.

 

I bought the car with 200k and I knew it had been pulling a trailer because I got the trailer in the deal. Fluid changes are not going to make you or break you that's all Im saying. Do it if you want, I did it on a couple, a couple I have right now I have not, and they all are running just fine. And all have pretty close to 200k on them. An interesting note is, that tranny replacement cost me 120 bucks with a 1 year warranty out of the local salvage yard. Is that cheap or what? Guess there is not a market for ecvt. This was for a 2010 prius.

 

Just to clarify, you were able to blow up a gen3 transmission?