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Transaxle Fluid

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by CookieGuru, Oct 15, 2012.

  1. CookieGuru

    CookieGuru Member

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    I see many recommendations to change the transaxle fluid twice as often as Toyota's recommendation of every 100,000 miles. I bought my '07 in March with 65k and am almost at 70k now. It's almost time for my first oil change.

    I know that this was a fleet car. I know who ran it, where the car ran, and what types of trips it ran. I got zero maintenance records with the car and called the shop of the company that runs the fleet to see if they may have saved anything. They didn't, but the mechanic I spoke to assured me that they "do overkill" on their entire fleet, such as changing the oil in their Fusions every 3k instead of the recommended 10k, replacing the air filter in the Internationals (cutaway buses) every 50k instead of every 100k.

    It seems like a waste of money to change the fluid if it was changed recently. So how can I tell when it was changed? Toyotaowners.com only shows a water pump replacement and the 90L recall.
     
    #1 CookieGuru, Oct 15, 2012
  2. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    When you consider the cost of the transaxle versus the cost of the fluid change, I believe you will realize it is not a waste of money.

    Ron
     
    #2 dorunron, Oct 15, 2012
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  3. sfv41901

    sfv41901 Masta S

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    Open the fill hole & stick ur finger in to get some fluid on it. Take a look at the condition of the fluid. Does it look dark, dirty, smells burnt?
     
    #3 sfv41901, Oct 15, 2012
  4. artie

    artie Member

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    I have never changed the transaxle fluid (or I should say, had it changed), as my dealer swears it is not recommended by Toyota. However, I hear otherwise. The car has 203,000 miles.

    Should I have it changed now or leave it alone???
     
    #4 artie, Oct 16, 2012
  5. sfv41901

    sfv41901 Masta S

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    OMG.......203K at no fluid change?????

    I would change it if I were u. There have been too many cases where members have changed their fluid at 50K & it already showed signs of deterioration.

    The best maintenance is preventative maintenance.
     
    #5 sfv41901, Oct 16, 2012
  6. artie

    artie Member

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    What about the old rubric of once transmission fluid hasn't been changed for a long long time, leave it alone, the new fluid will ... I don't know what it was alleged to do, but supposedly cause the tranny to fail.
     
    #6 artie, Oct 16, 2012
  7. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    Artie, that is an "old wives tale". Do not gamble any longer, go and get it changed. Tranny fluid is really similiar to hydraulic fluid. Most hydraulic type oils only have a shelf life of 7 yrs. Even if you have no wear (which is impossible), you have exceeded the shelf life of your tranny fluid. Pls go get it changed or DIY.
     
    #7 usnavystgc, Oct 16, 2012
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  8. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    Transaxle fluid changes are just like any other maintenance item. They can be maintained, or neglected.

    There is a old saying. Pay me now, or pay me later. A lot of times "later" is much more expensive than "now".

    Ron
     
    #8 dorunron, Oct 16, 2012
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  9. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    You guys are so smart but, I learned a new word today (rubric). See, even people from KY can learn new words (besides if'n).
     
    #9 usnavystgc, Oct 16, 2012
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  10. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    #10 dorunron, Oct 16, 2012
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