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ATF fluid changes ARE Required.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Bill Norton, Dec 15, 2012.

  1. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Ok, that is an issue. Maybe you can order online, through E-Bay, Amazon?

    You need to:

    1. Raise and level the car.
    2. Remove top bolt. (basically for insurance: you don't want to find out after draining that the top bolt is stuck.)
    3. Remove bottom bolt and drain fluid. Reinstall (preferably with fresh washer, if you can get it) and torque to 29 ft/lb.
    4. Many ways to get the fresh fluid, but IMHO the simplest: run a 3 foot tube extension on funnel down through the engine bay, from above. You can pour in 3 liters/quarts quickly, then go slower, 100 cc at a time, till it starts coming back out, which should happen around 3.5 liters/quarts.
    5. Reinstall top bolt (preferably with fresh washer, if you can get it) and torque to 29 ft/lb.

    Note, for both bolts you need a 10 mm (male) hex Allen key style socket.

    Also, it's a lot easier if you completely remove the plastic engine underpanel. A couple of the plastic fasteners near the back of the panel are larger, likely have grey caps. Be careful not to mix them up. Also wash out the grit before reinstall. There's also a fair number of 10mm (socket size) bolts to remove, near the front.
     
    #661 Mendel Leisk, Jul 6, 2017
    Last edited: Jul 6, 2017
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  2. MMtec

    MMtec Junior Member

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    The only Atf ws I found its in USA! And I found one that ship to Portugal but the price !!! 45EUR a bottle!!! (Plus importation) Need four....

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    That's crazy! For me in Canada it was $9.14 (can) per litre.
     
  4. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Is Toyota ATF T-IV available in Portugal? If it is, then I suggest you consider use of that - instead of a generic substitute which claims to replace dozens of ATF fluids...
     
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  5. GasperG

    GasperG Senior Member

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    Yep, can't buy Toyota ATF in EU other than from the dealer. That said my Toyota dealer changed it for €100.

    Shop around, not all dealers are the same.
     
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  6. MMtec

    MMtec Junior Member

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    Finally! 18,15€/L in Toyota. He sais that oils don't have discount but he will do 5%. I have 15% in parts because have 3 or more Toyotas (in my home are 3 Toyotas and 1 Lexus). Isn't a great discount but.... is better then nothing.
    I buy all other parts for 200000km man at Toyota. It will arrive next week to the dealer.
    270€ (including 23% tax) + discounts.
    In Portugal the salaries are low and the things are toooooooo expensive!!!
     
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  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    This game called cars is getting too expensive.
     
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  8. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    On a Prius, we recommend the transaxle oil change only at 30,000 miles (about 50K km), then 90,000 (150K km) and 150,000 (240K km).

    Not very expensive for maintenance. Most vehicles don't even last that long.
     
    #668 Rebound, Jul 7, 2017
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2017
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  9. MMtec

    MMtec Junior Member

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    For a Prius 200000km maintenance what do you think?
    Motor oil (0w20 (for the first time... always use 5w30 at dealer), filter, air filter, ATF change and cabin filter it's enough?
    The Egr was changed at 180k and the admission was cleaned (rattle problem!!!! 1month at Toyota to discover the problem).
     
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  10. MMtec

    MMtec Junior Member

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    In Portugal they say 15000km (just oil and filter) by 15000km ( complete), using 5w30 oil.
    I think for this oil 30000km / 2 years its good. But in a hybrid, that the ICE work less and normally at low temp should last more.
     
  11. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    200 k km is like 120 k miles? If so, spark plugs should be done.
     
  12. MMtec

    MMtec Junior Member

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    Sparks was changed at 180000km (100k miles). Also the brake oil.
     
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  13. MMtec

    MMtec Junior Member

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    Maintenance every 15000km (10k miles) make the car non economic! Its for that I tired to go with the Prius to Toyota. They call after a months to ask if the car was done the 15000km to make the maintenance!
     
  14. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    No. I was referring to the transmission oil, not the engine oil.
     
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  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    For a different perspective, on the engine oil change interval:

    In Canada, 3rd gen (2010 to 2015) oil change interval is 6 months or 8000 km, whichever comes first. With us it's months that come first, and the kms is around 4000. I change it myself, with bulk Toyota 0W20, which costs me $4.50 per liter. The oil filter is around $8, and drain bolt washer about $1.

    4th gen in Canada, they've aligned with the US schedule: 16,000 km or 12 months. Wouldn't change my approach though, I'd stick with the 3rd gen interval.
     
  16. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    There's a complete set of maintenance videos in the NutzAboutBolts sticky thread.

    1) I suggest you keep using 5W30 synthetic motor oil. Do not switch to 0W20.
    2) Engine air and cabin air filters
    3) ATF fluid change
    4) Spark plugs (you did)
    5) Engine coolant
    6) Inverter coolant
    7) Lubricate brake caliper sliding pins and check brake pad thickness

    If you're really cautious:
    8) Replace PCV valve
    9) Clean out EGR, cooler and pipe
    10) Clean intake manifold and throttle body
     
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  17. MMtec

    MMtec Junior Member

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    IMG_0011.JPG At Toyota 5L of 0w20 formula XS (100% synthetic- low friction) cost 120€! I already request that ..... at this morning......
    The dealer says that after the discounts I have, he make a special discount.....( special... more 5%????)
    In USA this things are so cheap!!,
     
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  18. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    Ridiculous. Don't you have ordinary automobile parts stores? You just want 5W30 synthetic motor oil and a filter cartridge. It doesn't need to be Toyota brand motor oil. The transmission oil and coolant, I think, should be Toyota brand if possible.
     
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  19. MMtec

    MMtec Junior Member

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    I have bad experience with other oil filters. In my Auris, the 2 last oil filters ( non Toyota but from a good mark) haved problems. One after 15000km changed the size to smaller ( result= no filtering). The last one have a larger inside hole after 15000km, so the oil pass out of him..

    The reason I have buy the oil in Toyota is that I buy the other parts from him with no big difference in price.... the problem was in the 0w20 oil price. Gonna wait to see the big discount....
     
  20. MMtec

    MMtec Junior Member

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    After a loooooong conversation with him, he sell me the oil 0w20 for 49.20€!!!! It's the price for him. I'm a good Toyota client! And he know that.
     
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