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High Mileage Transaxle Fluid Change

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Ecologically Speaking, Dec 16, 2019.

  1. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    Change it, use Toyota WS and be done with this. For the record, I hauled/haul class 2 weight with a class 1 hitch with my 2010 and 2015, never having one problem, but I maintain ALL my vehicles on a severe duty cycle which includes ATF, brake fluid, antifreeze, oil, filters, alignment, wheel balance, ect... It's so much easier and cheaper to maintain than to repair. YMMV.

    FWIW, I am a career Mechanic holding multiple Licenses.
     
    #21 frodoz737, Dec 17, 2019
    Last edited: Dec 17, 2019
  2. Tim Jones

    Tim Jones Senior Member

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    Trani IS Not going to slip with new fluid............................ no clutches... but I guess you know that now after watching the tear down videos.
     
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  3. Ecologically Speaking

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    That is very impressive! I don't think I would have your luck though. I find joy in knowing my car is maintained the best it possibly can be :D

    Yes, finally! I spent many hours watching different videos and still had a hard time understanding the connection from ICE, MG1, and MG2 to final drive axle. The last video I watched wasn't even 5 minutes long and it all made sense to me. A great feeling indeed.
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I have a problem with those Toyota transaxle videos: I always fall asleep, about 5 minutes in.

    Just like watching The New Yankee Workshop: Norm starts by talking about safety gear, next thing I know he's varnishing the piece, lol.
     
  5. Tim Jones

    Tim Jones Senior Member

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    I have one in my garage...but haven't installed it yet.....
     
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  6. Tim Jones

    Tim Jones Senior Member

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  7. Tim Jones

    Tim Jones Senior Member

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    VATF.jpeg
    This also works........... and it's WS $17.95 at Walmart
     
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  8. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    Interesting how so many suggest the fluid exchange is not needed, but when done, want to use something other than what Toyota says to use. ;)
     
    dig4dirt likes this.
  9. Tim Jones

    Tim Jones Senior Member

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    I'm running 1 quart WS and 3 quarts 10 w 30 synthetic motor oil in mine... but my trani has a whine....
     
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah I don't understand that. Even if something is compatible, why risk it, why take the chance? Toyota ATF WS fluid is the one fluid spec'd in the Owner's Manual with a 100% "this and nothing but" statement.
     
  11. Tim Jones

    Tim Jones Senior Member

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    Speaking of taking risks....your the Titanic Social Director
     
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  12. Tim Jones

    Tim Jones Senior Member

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    Main reason I used the Valvoline was I changed the fluid a total of 5 times...........

    Edit... I met a guy at Starbucks that was parked next to me and we started talking about our cars and he has been running Maxlife since 2013 in his 2010. He changed his at 25,000 miles
     
    #32 Tim Jones, Dec 17, 2019
    Last edited: Dec 17, 2019
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  13. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    We all own our cars, so heck, you can run urine in it if it you want to...…….

    Me? I'll just spend the extra 14 bucks. All 4 Gen 2s in the family and every car I work on, if transaxle fluid is on the list of things to do, 100% Toyota WS, every time. Why? Because I know I did the job as recommended by the braincrew who designed it. If something happens and it fails, I don't have to wonder "what if?" or have a customer who's pissed off and ready to sue me because I used something different.
     
  14. George W

    George W Active Member

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    Using the recommended Toyota fluid, I just changed out the fluid on my 08 Prius with 160k miles. I'm glad I did. That improved my economy by 3 miles per gallon. The first thing I did on the new fluid was Drive 3500 miles for a vacation, zero issues.
     
  15. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    There's no slipping in the G2 trans. Its all gears and a chain.

    Rear latch shocks failed very early on my G2 the dealer replaced them for free. Use them till they no longer hold the hatch open then when it no longer holds the hatch open I guess you should replace them.

    Mentally tearing?

    I know nothing about Amsoil never used it I'm a Redline guy.
     
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  16. Tim Jones

    Tim Jones Senior Member

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    I have my extra trani ready to go and I purchased redline for the new fluid..... I got the D4
     
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  17. Ecologically Speaking

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    Thank you all again for your feedback. It seems the best choice for the vehicle would be to replace with genuine Toyota fluid, which I will do. Thanks again!!
     
  18. Tim Jones

    Tim Jones Senior Member

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    Much better than not changing it.......
     
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