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ATF drain and fill

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by cutter44, May 17, 2015.

  1. cutter44

    cutter44 Member

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    Because it seems so relatively easy, I've pretty much decided that I'm going to do my own oil and filter changes in my C. But I'm also strongly considering doing my own ATF drain and fill, since it too looks very straightforward and fairly easy. My only real hesitation is that if down the road, I have any issues with the transmission. I just bought a Toyota extended warranty, but could my doing my own ATF drain and fill be a perfect excuse for them to deny any future claims if I should ever have tranny issues? For the infrequent need of doing it, I'm wondering if it would be safer to just pay a dealer to do the drain/fill. What's likely to be the cost for that at a dealer?
     
  2. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Each dealership is a independent business, so prices at my dealer have no bearing on prices at your dealer.
    Gen 2 was $99, v was $109 at Kirk Toyota in Grenada MS

    If you decide to DIY, always open the fill plug before opening the drain plug.
     
  3. cutter44

    cutter44 Member

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    Thanks. I guess calls to a couple of dealers will answer my question. And yes, I've read far too many stories about folks who have drained the transmission fluid before realizing they couldn't budge the fill plug. Yikes. Words to the wise indeed.

    Any thought on how my doing it myself might affect possible future warranty issues?
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I'm not sure how they could prove you changed the fluid yourself..., well actually, I can: it'd be too new and clean looking. :)

    I've changed ours twice, no problems getting the fluid or the drain/fill bolt washers through the dealership parts department. If it's similar to regular Prius, you'll need 4 quarts or liters of Toyota ATF-WS fluid, and the two washers. You'll also need (if it's similar) a 10 mm hex drive: the bolts have a hex socket. The torque is 29ft lbf, so you really need a driveable socket, not just a hex key.

    This instruction is for reg Prius, but maybe very similar:
     
  5. cutter44

    cutter44 Member

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    Thanks. Yeah, I remember seeing that hex (or torx) socket under there for the drain, but I didn't notice the all-important fill plug when I gave a quick look.

    I can keep a record of my DIY service, but I'm more concerned at if they'll see that as an excuse not to cover something down the road.
     
  6. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    You don't even have to tell them you changed it, the service is not in the manual. It's suppose to be a lifetime fluid
     
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  7. cutter44

    cutter44 Member

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    Hmmmm.....good point. Thanks. With any luck, it will never even be an issue.
     
  8. kingnba6

    kingnba6 Active Member

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    I will be doing a drain and fill for the ATF this summer. Thanks for the tips.
     
  9. cutter44

    cutter44 Member

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    So I took a look again. The drain plug looks easy enough to access, but it looks like I'll need an extension to get enough leverage on that fill plug. That's assuming I'm looking at the correct things. Pics attached.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    And I'll definitley have to snake a plastic hose down there to refill it. may have to wait until I can recruit another pair of hands before I attempt this.
     
  10. cutter44

    cutter44 Member

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    And I'm having a heck of a time trying to find a (reasonably priced) 10mm hex socket with a 1/2" drive, which is what my breaker bar is. I'm finding 3/8 drive no problem.
     
  11. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Cutter44, with your 1/2" breaker bar and 1/2" to 3/8" adapter you'll be fine. Just going from memory the torque is (I think) 29 lb/ft. A 3/8" extension, 3" or 6", is also helpful.

    It takes a moderate effort to break loose, not too hard, especially with longer handle breaker bar.
     
  13. cutter44

    cutter44 Member

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    Thanks. And the adapter is probably something I should have had all along anyway. Local dealer sells the ATF WS for $9/qt, so I should be fine.

    So I'm assuming those pics are showing the proper drain (top picture) and fill (bottom pic) plugs?
     
  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yes, those are them.

    Were you missing engine underpanel, or just a lot of dusty roads? Just curious, looks grungy.

    Have you got the PDF excerpt with torque values? I'm out and about, can't post right now. I've posted it here a few times.
     
  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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  16. cutter44

    cutter44 Member

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    Thanks. I have no idea about any missing underpanel since I don't know what it's supposed to look like under there. I know it looks a lot cleaner than the underside of my '06 Forester looked. It's lived its life in MA, so I don't expect things to remain bright and shiny for long. :)

    I just picked up a 1/2" to 3/8" drive socket adapter for $5 and a 7 piece 3/8" drive hex kit (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10mm) for $10 from Lowes. I should be covered for this job...and if I ever buy any furniture from Ikea.
     
  17. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    It's not likely that they'll know, unless you tell them, visibly damage the plugs, use the wrong lubricant or insufficient quantity. Even if they do learn you did it yourself, as long as you didn't do it somehow wrong, they shouldn't deny a legitimate warranty claim.

    Good luck! Sunday I did my first WS change, and encountered no significant problems. So far, so good.
     
  18. cutter44

    cutter44 Member

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    Mission accomplished..successfully. It was a bit of a pain getting the bolts loose, to the point where I figured I'd call to see wht a dealer would charge for the job. Called two. Both said they don't drain and fill, but flush the whole system, to the tune of $250+. That made up my mind to go at it again. I hit them with Kroil, then drove down to the dealer to pick up the four quarts of ATF WS, then to Lowes for 3' of tubing. Came back, and with a few extra grunts, got the fill plug loosened, then attacked the drain plug.

    I must say I was impressed that the fluid that came out was still nice and red (actually, it was more the color of black raspberry ice cream). The plugs themselves were as clean as a whistle. Buttoned everything up, torqued them to 29 lb/ft and all's well. Or at least I hope so.

    Thanks for the words of encouragement. I may or may not do it again in another 60k miles.
     
  19. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Congrats!

    There's no magnet on the drain plug, kinda frustrating. Not sure if it's just corner cutting or they seriously found it wasn't warranted.
     
  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The light bulb just went on: it's a Prius c! Maybe there is no underpanel? The underside of engine bay is open to the elements? It makes quite a difference, with the underpanel it stays very clean looking.