transmission fluid changes

Toyota doesn't pay to replace the transmission when it fails out of warranty (5years/60kmiles), you do! I am among those that strongly suggest a first drain/refill of ATF at 30k miles and then every 60k miles thereafter based on laboratory testing of Type WS ATF in Gen2 Prii. My 2004 Prius is at 225k miles and still going.

JeffD

 

So you would break the seal for warranty reasons? To me you just ruined the warranty. I find all of the oil and fluid change discussion quite interesting....these vehicles are new technology so unless you are a car geek just follow the maintence schedule and be attentive tothe "idiot lights" I think some of you are the car geeks referred to above

 

seal? new technology?

Wth? It is just automatic transmission fluid. There isn't any new science here, metal parts and bearing spinning at 7000 rpm for years and getting hot. Yes the fluid is supposed to last 100k, and yes you might be wasting your money changing it, but from the actual technical posts where people have measured break down and viscosity at intervals, they are suggesting your car will last a lot longer if you just drain the ATF fluid and put in new stuff. It doesn't take long and doesn't cost very much.

Sure, don't do it under warranty, but if your car isn't still under warranty you'd be an idiot to never change it.

If it was a "sealed system" it wouldn't have a drain plug and a fill hole. It isn't sealed. It never was, it has a gasket even. Technically it draws a vacuum from thermal expansion.. but that is about it.

 

Yes, and on your 2003 Gen1 Prius change the Type IV ATF at 30k mile intervals per the same group's lab testing.
The Gen1 tranny has a pan and gasket, the Gen2 and Gen3 just drain and refill plugs. None of them are sealed!

JeffD

 

If your transmission has a seal on it it's because you ran over one and it splattered onto the transmission. Replacing the fluid with Toyota recommended transmission fluid would have no effect on your warranty.

 

As Joed says nothing new here as far as the fluid is concerned. Bearings and a chain.

A little reading at lusciousgarage.com where all they see is hybrid and mostly Prius taxi's and she recommends 30K trans fluid changes. I need no further proof. I changed mine at 5k and then again at 35K and will continue to change it at 30K as its very cheap insurance and the car runs like new. Thats $40 every 30,000 miles. Plus I can prove to the buyer when I go to sell I am meticulous in caring for my car. That gets me a premium.

 

This is all quite interesting and informative.... I probably said that a thread or two ago! I will definitely inquire with my Toyota dealer to learn their "recommended" means to address this as well as where I can see the idiot light.

Having said that, I know they can run a diagnostic report....has anyone ever seen one? Does it provide and data of significance to mileage and wear and tear, battery capacity, etc?

 

A diagnostic report can pick up many things such as the health of the HV battery (module voltage balance, module effective series resistance balance) , but by the time anything is noticed about the Hybrid Synergy Drive (AKA tranny,) you would need a replacement.

JeffD