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Engine Oil Flush...Any Harm?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Aaron, Dec 2, 2010.

  1. Aaron

    Aaron Member

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    The factory ATF WS came out with a red hue, not solid black like I expected. The fill plug came off with ease. I thought I would have to get a breaker bar for the drain plug, but I got it off. The crap on the magnet was like a very fine black paste, almost like grease.

    BEFORE:
    [​IMG]

    AFTER:
    [​IMG]
     
  2. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    Good photos Aaron. My experience was almost exactly the same as yours. Mine also was not not fully black and actually looked a little better than I expected for 62000 miles. In addition my drain plug looked pretty much the same as well. Yes the "paste" is extremely fine. I had expected it to feel almost "gritty" but in fact when I scrapped it off it felt almost exactly like grease. Like if someone had have handed me some on the end of a screwdriver and told my it was molybdenum grease I probably would have believed them. :)

    Here are my pictures.
     

    Attached Files:

  3. don_chuwish

    don_chuwish Well Seasoned Member

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    Yeah mine at ~40K wasn't too bad, still plenty pink. Plug looked about the same.
    How much new fluid went in for you Aaron?

    - D
     
  4. Aaron

    Aaron Member

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    I was able to jack-up my rear end to the point where the rear end was higher than the front, thus dumping out all the ATF WS. I lowered the rear end back down and it took all 4 quarts with none spilling out the fill hole.

    I actually thought this was easier than an oil change. Damn it feels good to be able to do this myself AND save money!:rockon:

    I called a local dealership and the "parts guy" asked me why I was going to do this myself b/c it takes a "special machine" to flush and fill the ATF WS in the Prius. Such liars!!!!:mad:

    Thanks for everyones help!
     
  5. Aaron

    Aaron Member

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    On a side note...I just read the Owners Manual and it said the transmission capacity is 3.8 quarts for a drain & fill. How did I fit 4 quarts??? I hope it's OK I put 4 quarts in there.
     
  6. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    You were able to fit in more because the front of the car was jacked up. Ideally you should fill it with the car dead level to the point where the fluid starts flowing back out the filler hole.

    Filling with more fluid than required could put a little bit more strain on the seals, though I don't think an extra 0.2 quarts could hurt too much.
     
  7. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    The Toyota repair manual indicates that the transaxle fluid quantity is 3.8L, or 4 US quarts, or 3.3 Imperial quarts.
     
  8. Aaron

    Aaron Member

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    I guess I must have read it wrong. I'm OK then!
     
  9. ifixwashers

    ifixwashers New Member

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    New member here. I have a 2015 v wagon and my dealer sent this:
    Recommended Services Service Date Price ("$")
    *COOLING SYSTEM EXCHANGE : recommend replacing ENGINE and INVERTER COOLANT - DUE BY TIME - 7 years old 01/13/2022 276.18
    *TRANSMISSION EXCHANGE : recommend by time and mileage 01/13/2022 202.44
    *ENGINE FLUSH : based on mileage - recommend performing engine flush to remove sludge build up 01/13/2022 166.84

    Not sure I need it yet. 62000 miles. I have been looking for a toyota spec sheet on fluid intervals but have not found it yet. ANyone have a copy or a link?
    Thank you
     
  10. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Welcome to PriusChat!!

    You've posted in a 2004-2009 gen2 sub forum (totally fine), though you may find a different level of response in the appropriate gen3 sub.
    Just a tad on the high side. Toyota SLLC fluid would be about 60ish, you might find a local hybrid shop that can do it for less.
    Many here will change it earlier, then again every 60-90k after. You can change the "transaxle" ATF fluid now, but this is way overpriced, as the Toyota WS ATF fluid is like 40 retail. Some will argue that the job is easier than an oil change. Try shopping around, or diy : 2010 55K Miles Sluggish Transmission Whine | PriusChat
    This is just a straight up gouge, you can do the same thing yourself for $10 before an oil change, using a quality product like this : https://www.bgprod.com/catalog/engine/bg-epr-engine-performance-restoration-for-hybrids/

    Call around, or find an oil change shop that carries BP products, and have them run a can of the regular or hybrid EPR before an oil change.
    Manuals & Warranties | Toyota Owners

    FYI : you're moderated until you've posted 5 times.
     
    #30 SFO, Jan 23, 2022
    Last edited: Jan 23, 2022
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The maintenance schedule is in the Warranty and Maintenance Booklet. You can download a pdf version from Toyota Tech Info site, in the "Manuals" tab.

    I believe the Prius v maintenance schedule is identical to 3rd gen hatchback schedule. I've made a table summary of it, a little easier read than the event-by-event schedule Toyota USA uses.

    2010 Prius Maintenance Schedule (US).jpg
     

    Attached Files:

    kamrul and SFO like this.
  12. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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