Is a Transaxle fluid "flush" possible?

No. It is just drain and fill, no torque converter

 

Drain and fill.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Nothing to flush. Just a case with some gears and a couple electric motors. Dealer is apparently a crook.

 

A flush would only be warranted if fluid contamination was suspected. The word "flush" appears maybe a dozen times in the 3rd gen Repair Manual, but invariably in the context of "level", for example: "push the seal in until it is flush with housing".

In various Honda Shop Manuals I've had, a transmission flush is simply multiple fluid changes, with a drive around the block between changes. Again, it's recommended only if there's possible contamination.

 

A new service manager, edicts from the franchise owner, and it can all go to hell.

 

What was the cost, btw? Transaxle drain-and-fill replaces about 90% and is on par with an oil change for difficulty. Should definitely not be over $100; $80 would be a fair price.

 

Sounds like it was a drain wallet, fill pockets.

 

There are times when I don't think some service writers know, or care, which vehicle they are selling services for!

 

wallet flush

 

It's four quarts of oil. The price really doesn't seem bad. Actually it is easier than an oil change.

 

This doesn't sound bad, for dealership pricing. The last time I bought Toyota ATF WS was a few years ago but I recall the price at that time was $12 per quart. So if the oil cost $48, the labor and miscellaneous charge is $51 which, for dealer service, is a very fair price.

 

Probably the dealer never touched it at that price. Dealer labor by me is $140 an hour.

 

Unfortunately, those who are most likely taken for a ride by the dealer are those individuals making $15-20 an hour in their own jobs and are willing to have a high school educated grease monkey to do it for $120 plus an hour.

These are the same people who live from paycheck to paycheck and continue to complain about how they can't make ends meet.

 

Hi Dan,
I didn't see it posted or I missed it? How many miles do you have on your Prius? I have a 09' Prius with 125,000 Miles maybe I should be thinking about Trans-axle change?
Thanks for posting.
Fred

 

My dealer has done ATF drain and Fill twice for $90 and once for $110.

 

Four liter of the Toyota ATF WS, plus replacement washers for the fill/drain bolts, is roughly $40 at the parts counter, up here. The washers are ridiculously overpriced, at $3.80 (CDN) apiece, and the liters of fluid $9.14 apiece.

I think they charge more than an oil change because of slightly higher supply cost (compared to bulk Toyota oil for sure, bottled aftermarket oil not so much), and just because it's unusual.

The labour is roughly the same I think, especially with a full lift like the dealerships use. For me fussing around with floor jack and safety stands, getting the car raised and roughly level, it's maybe 15 minutes more work. And to fish a hose and funnel through from the top takes a few minutes. Also you want to go slow adding the last liter, until it starts coming back out.

One thing I've read, for anyone else doing DIY: Toyota recommends not saving opened, partially used bottles of ATF WS, says something about air exposure being bad for it.