Change transaxle fluid, engine coolant, inverter coolant & brake fluid at 30k?

I think it's premature to change any fluids before 60k miles (oil exception). Also the coolant and brake fluids are good for 100k miles.

 

Have you seen pictures posted of the transaxle fluid at 30k? It's very dark, almost opaque.

SCH-I535

 

I stated my personal opinion. We really don't know if there is any benefit in changing the fluid at all. People here do it because it's cheap and it supposedly can't hurt. Not that there's proven evidence that not changing it will hurt your transaxle. It is lifetime fluid you know.....that said, I change mine every 60k.

 

Until Toyota backs that lifetime claim with a lifetime warranty on the transaxle, I take that with a ginormous grain of salt.

SCH-I535

 

The costs to change these fluids are cheap, so why not? It makes more sense to change the fluid then not!

 

If you just step back and think why Toyota would omit this service on their cars? It's a service that can generate money for the dealers and for them to sell more WS fluids. But they don't recommend it? Why? Is it really wise to save people money by suggesting it isn't needed?

 

And yet we have had reported transaxle failures. IIRC one of your cars had a transaxle replaced?

SCH-I535

 

Several members have tested their ATF after changing at 30k miles and reported low viscosity. So the general recommendation on here is to change the transaxle fluid at 30k miles and every 60k thereafter.

I changed mine at 25k and it was extremely dark. I plan to change it again at 100k miles and am at 90k now.

 

I'd do the transaxle and brake fluids, not the coolants, not yet.

 

I'm glad that I changed mine at 13k, because unlike the Gen II, the Gen III no longer had a magnet to collect iron and steel particles worn off of the gears.


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


My transaxle fluid change and NEW custom drain and fill plugs... | Page 2 | PriusChat

 

Maybe just follow the toyota schedule for the coolant.

Tansaxle fluid change is not mentioned in their schedule, so there's a fair amount of argument from concerned owners on that item.

Brake fluid change has just been introduced in their schedule, for 2014 prius I believe: they're now saying something like tri-yearly, regardless of mileage. If I'm not mistaken... This is in line with what hondas's been saying, for a long time.

 

Brake fluid at 250000, the brakes are rarely engaged and the only below 12mph
Definitely the transaxle, I called my local dealer for a transaxle fluid change and was quoted 375$ for transaxle service.
Shop around, it's not impossible to do at home

 

Yes mechanical parts will fail, they don't last forever. I'm sure there are people that have failures even having changed their fluid at 30k.

In the case with the car I own, the fluid was never changed until it failed at 150k. That's the only reason i have the car now, purchased after the failure. I don't agree on not changing it at all, but every 60k sounds about right. Just my preference

 

Nonono: every three years.

 

Yeah just checked: I have a pdf of the Canadian 2014 Prius Owners Manual Supplement (has the maintenance info): it's saying 48,000 km's or 3 years for brake fluid change. By comparison my 2010 book says nothing. Couldn't find US book.