1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Transmission Filter Change

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Jay94501, May 10, 2022.

  1. Jay94501

    Jay94501 New Member

    Joined:
    May 10, 2022
    9
    2
    0
    Location:
    Cali
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    My 2016 Prius 2 is now a 100K. I call the dealership and they wanted to charge me $300-800 to change the transmission oil. My questions is since I haven't change it before should I do a drain and fill or a flushed? Also is there such a thing as a transmission filter and do I need to change that. I never seen anyone on YouTube change transmission filter on Prius.
     
  2. Doug McC

    Doug McC Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2022
    940
    343
    0
    Location:
    Midwest
    Vehicle:
    2022 Prius
    Model:
    XLE
    Check out “The Car Care Nut” videos on YouTube. He is a Toyota Tech, and shows just how simple this is. Once you do, I would be surprised if you ever set foot in that dealership again.
     
    pilotgrrl and Mambo Dave like this.
  3. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2018
    3,096
    2,163
    0
    Location:
    Taylors, SC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    There is no filter in the transmission. It's a simple drain and refill. The toughest part is getting the car level when refilling to set the fluid level.

    Check out this video.

     
    HikerTed and Mambo Dave like this.
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    how do they figure such a wide range of cost?
     
  5. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2018
    3,096
    2,163
    0
    Location:
    Taylors, SC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    The dealer is probably uninformed about how easy it is to change hybrid transaxle fluid and quoted the price for a regular late model automatic transmission fluid change which is the topic of this video.

     
    Mambo Dave likes this.
  6. Doug McC

    Doug McC Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2022
    940
    343
    0
    Location:
    Midwest
    Vehicle:
    2022 Prius
    Model:
    XLE
    I once had a Ford dealership tell me to change the transmission fluid it would cost $800, and 3 filters. The truck only had one, and the true cost should have been no more than $300. When I called them on the outrageous price, they backed down to 2 filters and $600! I guess they figured as long as I didn’t know my truck they could claim and charge anything. I suspect this dealership is playing the same game. There isn’t a Toyota dealership in the country that doesn’t know Toyota’s hybrid system.
     
  7. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2018
    3,096
    2,163
    0
    Location:
    Taylors, SC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    You are a lot more confident than I am. Check out this long thread that should have cost the owner no more than $300 for an SST.

    My Prius dead again, with techstream this time. | PriusChat

    The dealer's ineptitude cost him nearly $1,000 and days whitout his car and aggravation.
     
  8. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2018
    3,096
    2,163
    0
    Location:
    Taylors, SC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Changing the fluid on a Gen 3 is easier that I thought when I first changed it by removing the whole engine cover. I'd explore this option for the Gen 4, too.

    There is a cutout in the undercover right under the drain plug for the fluid to drain out as shown in this photo that I took. If there is none on the Gen 4, I'd cut one out with a hole saw right under the drain plug, You can either leave it open like that on the Gen 3 or cover it with the appropriate hole plug.

    transaxle drain access.png

    Both the drain and fill plugs are easily removed from the opening exposed by lowering the oil change door as shown in this captioned photo.

    90188_atf_plugs1.jpg

    All you need is a 12 inch extension for your 10mm hex bit.

    Filling is easy using this extension funnel available at Walmart.

    12.jpeg
     
    #8 Georgina Rudkus, May 13, 2022
    Last edited: May 13, 2022
    Mambo Dave and jerrymildred like this.
  9. Doug McC

    Doug McC Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2022
    940
    343
    0
    Location:
    Midwest
    Vehicle:
    2022 Prius
    Model:
    XLE
    Changing transmission fluid is significantly less complicated and requires a lot less diagnostic capabilities than that situation. My comment was directed at their basic knowledge of the system, NOT their ability and skills at diagnosing complex problems.
    If this OP actually has a dealership that doesn’t even have basic knowledge of the system then they would be wise to contact Toyota directly.
     
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,473
    38,103
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Changing transaxle fluid on 2nd through 4th gen Prius is VERY straightforward, on par with an oil change. The dealership's service writers are idiots, to put it politely. The cost through a dealership should be around $100, at most. Still, if they're telling you all this nonsense, I wouldn't trust their competence, or honesty.

    The drill:

    1. raise the whole car, level (level is necessary to achieve correct fill level).
    2. Remove fill bolt, then drain bolt, with fluid catch basin of some sort, obviously.
    3. Reinstall drain bolt (with new washer preferably).
    4. Add Toyota ATF WS fluid till at the fill hole, till it starts coming back out. (A funnel and about 3 foot hose extension from above, snaked down through the engine bay, is simplest. Have an assistant doing the pouring make this easier. It'll take about 3.5 quarts, so go slow as you approach that volume added.)
    5. Reinstall fill bolt.

    Repair Manual Excerpt attached. There's a lot of gobblygook about temporarily installing bolts. I think the engineers are obsessing about the fluid's exposure to air/humidity being minimized. I'd say just don't dawdle, and use only fluid from freshly opened bottles, and don't save the left-over for next time.
     

    Attached Files:

    Pulse07, Doug McC and Georgina Rudkus like this.
  11. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2018
    3,096
    2,163
    0
    Location:
    Taylors, SC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    37 ft lbs is too much. I'd use 29 which is specified for the Gen 3. The Gen 3 repair manual is not embelished and much easier to understand. It is attached here.
     
    Mambo Dave and Mendel Leisk like this.
  12. Doug McC

    Doug McC Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2022
    940
    343
    0
    Location:
    Midwest
    Vehicle:
    2022 Prius
    Model:
    XLE
    I was hoping you would chime in . There were some changes made to the Gen4 that influence a lot of the specs. And considering the cost of a damaged transmission, I have a strong tendency to follow the engineers who are privileged to that information.
     
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,473
    38,103
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Yeah funny that they bumped the torque value; it takes oomph loosening the bolts even at 29 ft/lbs.

    BTW, if DIY’ing: the fill/drain bolts are socket head cap screw style. You need a male 10 mm hex driver. You can buy them in sets fairly cheap; Stanley makes one. Don’t just use an L-shaped Allen Key and cheater bar; do it right.
     
  14. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2018
    3,096
    2,163
    0
    Location:
    Taylors, SC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    I am an aircraft technician and structual engineer. The plug does not hold anything to the aluminum casting. Using a higher torque with a steel threaded plug into aluminum will more likely apply a higher load to the threads, which are basically a lever arm rocking on the root of those threads as the fulcrum. Damaging the aluminum threads in the transmission case would be a more severe problem.

    The plug is held on by both the tension on the threads and the friction on both surfaces of the crush washer. Een at 20 ft lbs, it will not likely self loosen. The only reason to go 29 ft lbs is for fluid tight sealing which can even be achieved at a lower torque,
     
    #14 Georgina Rudkus, May 14, 2022
    Last edited: May 14, 2022
    CR94 and Mendel Leisk like this.
  15. Doug McC

    Doug McC Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2022
    940
    343
    0
    Location:
    Midwest
    Vehicle:
    2022 Prius
    Model:
    XLE
    So, you are probably the one to answer this question then, what is the actual (not just generic such as aluminum) casing made up of. Looking for a precise answer here to help us (or at least me), decide if perhaps I shouldn’t be trusting an engineering and design group who has been working on Toyotas for a significant portion of a century, and has managed to produce two models (of various configurations) that have a reliability rating beyond any other manufacturer. And, while you are at it, are you willing to sign what ever court documents are necessary to stipulate that if I (and others) follow your advice and it results in a failure of the components of the Gen4 transmission you will pay the tab?
     
  16. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2018
    3,096
    2,163
    0
    Location:
    Taylors, SC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Most all professional service technicians don't even use a torque wrench to tighten these plugs.

    I'd advise you consult with the Toyota Corporation for this information or contract an enginerring firm to conduct the study you claim interest in. At present I am not interested in this type of consulation at this time and stated basic engineering principles.

    Toyota obviously keeps most of the data you request as a proprietary trade secret, only to reveal it if ordered as discovery in a law suit. My interest obviously does not go that far.
     
    #16 Georgina Rudkus, May 14, 2022
    Last edited: May 14, 2022
  17. Doug McC

    Doug McC Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2022
    940
    343
    0
    Location:
    Midwest
    Vehicle:
    2022 Prius
    Model:
    XLE
    OK. Thanks anyway. Regarding the “most all professional”: if I have a work order indicating that they indeed performed the service and problem later developed with the transmission that was the result of their failure to follow procedure, a new transmission would be the least that I would most likely be receiving.
     
    #17 Doug McC, May 14, 2022
    Last edited: May 14, 2022
  18. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2014
    2,642
    1,133
    0
    Location:
    Northwestern S.C.
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
  19. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2018
    3,096
    2,163
    0
    Location:
    Taylors, SC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    If you need just the 10mm hex bit socket, it is available at any Home Depot for no more than $3 including sales tax.

    Husky 3/8 in. Drive 10 mm Hex Bit Socket H3DHBS10MM
     
    Doug McC and Mendel Leisk like this.
  20. 100 free watt hours

    100 free watt hours Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2012
    20
    5
    0
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I called two local dealers, one said every 60,000 miles and the other said between 80 to 100,000 miles. They wanted an insane amount to change it considering it's about a 15 minute job. Dump and fill, not rocket science. I can't see where the fluid really needs to be changed at all unless heat from the motors and alternator are breaking down the transmission fluid. The CVT does not have any clutch packs to generate heat like a normal automatic transmission. It would be interesting to see how hot the Prius transmission gets from normal or hiway driving. I just might check it with my laser thermometer next time to see how hot the case gets.