DIY Transmission Fluid Change?

With their comment about a torque converter, I suspect they aren't dialed in on Prius transmissions.

 

Here is the reply I received from Blackstone:

"Tom,

Thanks for the email. The reason your unit location averages changed is because they are driven off the equipment type and we had your transaxle logged in twice under the same make/model. The problem is that history is driven off of the unit ID and those didn't match up. If you're thoroughly confused, don't worry because it's now been fixed. Thanks for some of the technical specs. We'll be sure not to say that aluminum is from the torque converter in the future. We do have a special equipment ID just for a Prius transaxle so I put on note on our system to use that as opposed to just a standard Toyota automatic. Thanks again for the email. I'll amend the report and send it email it out this afternoon.

Alex Miller
Blackstone Laboratories

PS--We're always learning new things from our customers. If you have any idea where that aluminum is coming from, I'd love to share the information with the other analysts. We have quite a bit of knowledge here, but we also value the input from our enthusiast customers."

Here is the revised oil analysis report, note they recommended a 20K change due the aluminum:

 

I'm pretty new to the site and just bought a 2004 Prius in September. After searching and reading the site, I've made a list of services I'm going to perform on the Prius since it has 130k miles on it.

I just finished the transmission fluid change this afternoon and thought I would share some pics and results. My mileage was 132k miles and from the service history I'm pretty certain the fluid has never been changed.

Here are some pics of the fluid and the drain and fill plugs:

drain plug after removing from CVT:



Drain and fill plugs after cleaning:



Used fluid compared to new fluid:



Tools I used for the job:



Funnel and plastic tubing for refilling the CVT:



Jacking up the rear of the Prius (front wheels were on ramps):



Leveling the Prius before filling:



Overall, this job took less than an hour including the time to make the transmission fluid bong. It's definitely a two person job for the refill.

-VR

 

The wear does appear quite high from tumbleweed's two UOA reports. The aluminum in the second sample seems unusually high; I wonder if that is the normal wear pattern for this transaxle.

I plan to change the fluid on mine at 15k, and possibly add some BG CVT Fluid Conditioner to it. This product is supposed to boost the anti-wear capabilities of CVT fluids. I will e-mail BG to ask them if it is suitable for use in our cars.

http://www.kansasbg.com/Complete_Set_of_Spec_and_Tech/0302.pdf

BG Products, Inc.

 

The Prius CVT doesn't have any of the mechanical elements in it that cause CVT lubrication difficulties.

 

Assuming this page is correct...

Toyota Prius - Power Split Device

I would think that the planetary gear set will need a lubricant that has adequate anti-wear performance.

 

Unlike the planetary gear sets in a regular automatic. It doesn't have to deal with crud in the oil from wearing clutches. It has an easy life.

 

That's basically what I did, except at 15,000 kilometers. Already it was looking quite murky.

Just my 2 cents: stick with just the Toyota ATF-WS fluid. Regardless of what they say, or how safe it actually is, just not worth the potential risk.

 

At $85 it will pay for itself compared to a dealer trans oil change in less than 2 changes. Looks like a toy I might need.

 

DEN - I'd be interested in how it works out for you. If you're on the eastern part of MD, maybe I can borrow it when I do mine? I'm just over 27k miles, and figure at the next oil change next year, it'll be time to do the trans fluid.

 

I bought one of these for $19.99 with free shipping from ebay and it got the job done in no time.



eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

 

Thanks for the tip, I have ordered one

 

And if you don't have your ATF fluid yet, I actually bought mine on eBay too: 4quarts for $23.99 + shipping. Came to ~$30 total with UPS ground. Better than local dealerships even before tax.

 

Best I could find on eBay was $42.20 with shipping. Do you remember where you got yours?

 

eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

 

Thanks for looking that link up, unfortunately he has raised his prices since then.

 

Indeed he has. Bummer.

Well I would still buy it. Having it shipped to my door versus me having to drive somewhere during "business hours" which I despise is something I am willing to pay more for. And even so, it is still less with the new price and shipping than the MSRP at the dealership + sales tax not including my time going down there and explaining I don't want the service, just the little bottles of fluid.

 

Next time buy it from Harbor Freight for $6.40 w/ the 20% off coupons...

Multi-Use Transfer Pump

Same exact thing...

Oh and throw some 3-in-1 oil on the pump stem or it will tend to rust in place.

 

Well it is $12.99 normally + tax intown which would make it cheaper or $12.99 + shipping which would make it just as expensive.

That store is nowhere close to me geographically, so I would have to ship it. Good find though if you are in their region, especially with the sales price.