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Changing the transmission fluid ATF WS

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by MSF1344, Dec 5, 2019.

  1. MSF1344

    MSF1344 Junior Member

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    Hi ,
    After Some research for how to change the atf fluid on my 3rd gen prius , I bought 4 liters of genuine toyota ATF WS from ebay . but when read the back of the bottle it says : use within 5 years of production of the oil and when I saw the production it was over 5 years old . so I am confused , so anybody had this problem or is the oil break down over time ?
    Please help
     
  2. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

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    Should be fine
     
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  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    How much was it?

    FWIW, I looked over the left-over bottle I have (Toyota Canada liter bottle), and there's no date or expiration notice. That said, I've seen a Toyota publication that cautions to only use fluid from freshly opened bottles. In light of that I think I'll just recycle the left-over I have.
     
  4. MSF1344

    MSF1344 Junior Member

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    Thanks for your reply , I live in europe and the bottle was sealed and had a production date in the bottom . but I am thinking some cars never changed the transmission oil for several years after the production date and still running without any problem .

    Thank you . I believe it should be ok because there are many cars have has fluid in the gearbox since new and never changed but still running smoothly .
     
    #4 MSF1344, Dec 5, 2019
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 19, 2020
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  5. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    That applies to BRAKE FLUID, not transmission or engine oil.
     
  6. MSF1344

    MSF1344 Junior Member

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    Yes , but have a look on the attached photo .
     

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  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Sigh...

    upload_2019-12-5_13-47-9.png

    Sam will be back shortly to explain why the above doesn't mean squat.
     

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  8. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Like Mansplaining?
     
  9. MSF1344

    MSF1344 Junior Member

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    Thanks for the info , but wondering why they printed on my bottle ( use within 5 years of the production made ) ?
     
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Well you can do those in conjunction: use it immediately upon opening, and if they're more than 5 years old, don't use. Still, I think the first proviso will do for your situation. Saves chasing after that EBay vendor?
     
  11. MSF1344

    MSF1344 Junior Member

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    Sorry mate , I dont understand what you mean . What to do ?
     
  12. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Remember, it says it "MAY" absorb moisture, not that it WILL, IF it's left open, which it's not.
    It also depends on how long. It take brake fluid 2 years. So if you change your fluid once or twice a year,
    it won't/shouldn't be a problem.
     
  13. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Well no I won't.
    But I will point out how it has no bearing on what you originally said.

    Using the right terms is important. When talking about dogs, you can't call them cats.

    The documentation you provided says "sealed". It does NOT say "unopened".
    Those are not the same thing.

    YOU said "freshly opened". And then provided documentation that does NOT say "freshly opened".
    It says "sealed".

    You can take off the cap, use half of it, put back the cap firmly........and it will still be "sealed".
    Understand ??
     
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  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    My 2 cents, use it soon,, and recycle any left over.
     
  15. 2012 Prius v wagon 3

    2012 Prius v wagon 3 Active Member

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    Is the transmission in a Gen 3 Prius not vented in any way? I.e., it is truly sealed, and air pressure builds up in it as it warms up, really? I know it does not have a dipstick.

    This is related to the tangent discussed above about water. My understanding is that in almost all automotive fluids other than brake fluid, it's not a yuge deal if a little water is involved, since it will quickly boil off or evaporate at higher temperatures and leave through the vent as water vapor.
     
  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I've heard some mention of the sound of air moving as the first bolt is removed, never noticed it myself though. I suspect it is air-tight, but not sure.

    Fourth gen transaxle fluid change instruction has a new instruction, not present with third gen:
    upload_2019-12-5_19-55-52.png

    It's a little absurd, considering the very next step is to remove the fill bolt, and start adding fluid. But what is says to to me is some engineer was concerned about protracted air exposure for the fluid, and they added this step to placate him/her.

    Full third and fourth gen instructions attached:
     
  17. MSF1344

    MSF1344 Junior Member

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    My asking question was can i use the atf ws fluid which is brand new sealed but it is made more than 5 years ago ?
     
  18. Bbonez

    Bbonez Member

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    You answered your own question in post 7. The manufacturer put on the bottle not to use after 5 years. Do you think you will find someone on this forum that is more knowledgeable than Toyota?
     
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  19. dig4dirt

    dig4dirt MoonGlow

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    I would check the ebay listing where you purchased, and if no mention that it says exp date or age, ask for a refund.

    Then up to you whether to use or not.
    Me personally I would spend the ~$40 and get more that is manuf more recent.

    question, my "c" (same eng as Gen2) am I correct it has a vent nipple on the trans?
    But is that a one way vent?
    Does Gen3 have the same?
     
  20. MSF1344

    MSF1344 Junior Member

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    No , The gen 3 has not any vent and its fully sealed .
     
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