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When you changed the transaxle fluid, did you find a magnetic drain plug? I didn't.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Mike500, Oct 4, 2014.

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  1. Yes, there was a magnet in the drain plug.

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  2. No, there was NO magnet in the drain plug.

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  3. I haven't drained the fluid in the transaxle.

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  1. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2012
    2,593
    763
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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    I recently changed the transaxle fluid in my Gen III Prius"v."

    Unfortunately, I found that Toyota no longer installs the small ceramic magnet in the drain plug.

    I have uploaded photos of my two plugs,

    an older type of drain plug with a small thin ceramic magnet,

    a magnetic drain plug removed during a transaxle draining from a Gen II Prius.

    Note the large amount of steel and iron removed from the transaxle fluid. Suspended and circulating, it has got to increase wear in the gears of the transaxle.

    So, I am glad that I drained the transaxle, installed NEW WS fluid and added a high strength neodymium rare earth magnetic drain plug.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. jjPrius

    jjPrius Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2011
    68
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    0
    Location:
    Southern California
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    III
    No sir, no magnet. All three plugs I removed during my 100K service (two for the transaxle fill and drain and the inverter coolant drain plug) were all the same each with the same aluminum crush washer.