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

I see pics like these and wonder how cool it would be to have a lift and a drain cart in my own garage. Maybe in my next lifetime.

 

they don't call them luscious for nothing.

 

That's good you got the transaxle fluid changed.

Consider getting a magnetic drain plug for your transaxle, as Gen3's don't have one.
You can see what the fluid and magnetic drain plug looked like after 15K miles; post #473, page 24:

ATF fluid changes ARE Required. | Page 24 | PriusChat​

A link to the transaxle oil analysis study by Bob Willson and Professor Eddenberg is also contained in the above link. One would be hard pressed to say drain/fill is not needed.

Read Art's Automotive 30K service. He provides compelling reasons for changing transaxle ATF-WS fluid, coolant, and brake fluid at "early" intervals. Prius 30k Service

Ultimately, its your car and money, so do as you please.

 

I know this is an older thread but I've been reading through these threads to try and put together a schedule for my cars (2 plug-ins). After watching some videos on taking the transaxle apart I don't see the requirement for short fluid changes. It's not much more then a series of gears and 2 electric motors. It's nothing like an automatic transmission. Seems to me that a small amount of particles in the fluid are going to have zero effect on those gears. My 2004 Prius didn't have the ATF changed until it had 182k miles on it. You know what I found on the magnet? A very small amount of particles. The fluid was dark but it wasn't black like some suggest. Oil analysis might suggest more frequent changes but is that based on a regular automatic transmission with it's tight tolerances or a transaxle that is more like a gear box with 2 electric motors?

I talked to a local Prius independent mechanic and he's replaced 2 transaxles. Both times he sent the fluid out for analysis and it's come back with high conductivity. The only thing I think needs to be considered is how conductive the fluid gets. I'll bet when a transaxle fails it's the motors, not the gears.

I'm going to change my ATF and I'm going to go with the 60k interval but I think that's overkill. Anything shorter is a waste of time and money.

 

The issue is less with the lubricating properties of the transaxle ATF, and more with the concern that metallic debris in the oil will encourage an MG stator to develop a short in the windings.

 

My take: break-in period puts the bulk of the metal into suspension. With the DIY cost under $40, and taking around an hour, I'd rather do it sooner than later.

 

Sorry if I wasn't clear. I understand about the first time it's changed wanting that to be at 30k or even less. I was referring to the intervals that follow.

 

Yes. I did a (very) early change, fluid was surprisingly dark. A second change, at about double the interval, looked pretty much like new.

 

Yes, exactly, as I understand.

 

This is my first post but signed up a long time ago. I retired last year and am finally getting around to doing some PM on my 2008 Prius. I just changed engine coolant at 90,000 miles and I change oil at 5,000. I did the transaxle oil change at 60,000.

I see a lot of opinions as to when fluids should be changed but if you really want to know why not take samples and have them analyzed. This is the only true way to find out what condition your fluids are in. Blackstone Labs in Fort Wayne, Indiana will send you a container to take your sample with and tell you what condition your fluids are really in. It also makes some interesting reading. Big companies use these services and they are able to custom taylor their maintenance program to save time and money.

 

how was your tranny fluid at 60k?

 

To be clear the metallic debris will physically abrade and damage the stator winder coating and expose the wire?

Metal debris comes from excessive wear.
If so wouldn't you then like to have the most superior lubricant you could buy to not cause metal wear in the first place?

The factory does not seem to care a bit about that what with the lifetime fills.

 

Wow. I'd love to see where he sent those samples in to get a conductivity test done. Can you post it please?

 

I didn't ask him but I'd assume that Blackstone is the place he used. It seems to be the most used place to have fluid sample analyzed.

 

I can't see doing a $25+ analysis to make a decision regarding whether and when to do a simple transaxle fluid change involving under $40 worth of fluid and an hour labour. And this is something done very infrequently. I can't get into hand wringing over the pros-and-cons, just do it.

It's akin to changing your 12 volt battery periodically, regardless of it's remaining life.

 

Thank You!

 

I don't disagree that it's a good idea to change the fluid at least one time but this isn't an aircraft. However, if people want to ignore facts then go ahead and change the fluid as many times as you want. Just seems funny that most people who visit this site drive a Prius because they're environmentalist. Kind of hypocritical to pound the environmental drum and do unnecessary fluid changes.

BTW, I drive a Prius because I like the car, I'm averaging over 100mpg (wife's plug-in averages upper 70's), and Toyotas last a long time. Basically I get a lot more bang for my buck compared to other cars.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not arguing against more frequent changes, I'm just saying it's not needed and the history of the Toyota transaxle backs that up.

 

I drive Prii because they are very reliable, good mpg and low TCO. There is no such thing as an environmentally friendly car...chock to chock. I can see a Plug-In getting 70 mpg with limited driving, but I want to know how you get 100 mpg out of a 2004 Prius.