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

Change transmission oil on my '02?

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by Trombone, Mar 24, 2024.

  1. Trombone

    Trombone Member

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2019
    193
    67
    0
    Location:
    Allentown, Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2002 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    The ATF was changed by dealer at c. 90K miles. Car now has 160K and I'm wondering whether the oil should be changed again? I would ask service guy to drop the pan and clean out sludge. I know that our classics take Toyota ATF Type T-IV "or equivalent," according to owner's manual. Several sources say Mobil 3309 is the same as T-IV. Any opinions will be appreciated, both as to change and oil types. Thanks!
     
  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    23,759
    15,402
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Is T-IV discontinued?

    For as often as anybody does this, I'm not sure how much cheaper or 'better' any other fluid would have to be, to justify spending time wondering about it....
     
  3. Trombone

    Trombone Member

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2019
    193
    67
    0
    Location:
    Allentown, Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2002 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I'm not really looking for cheaper or better, but merely whether it needs doing at all. I gather that you think not.
     
  4. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    23,759
    15,402
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    No strong opinion there. I think I only changed it in my gen 1 once. I don't remember how often Toyota says to, or even if they say to.
     
  5. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    8,878
    1,549
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    I would think any fluid in pretty much any device that does any kind of lubricating and thing like that another round of 100,000 or so miles which is however many hours just seems like it would be reasonable protocol when companies start using things like lifetime that means they're putting a number on how long I'm going to keep my stuff and I don't play that. because they don't know what they're talking about I keep everything way past the playbook way past the Joneses have left the neighborhood and died waiting on me to keep up with them so there are things like that lifetime just means they don't want me to change it so that I can get it to the junkyard in short order and buy another vehicle I don't think so I buy an acquire vehicles for fun and stuff like that not because I need a vehicle If I waited until everything was a need then I would be slid into poor decisions quickly just because of the situation transportation is one of the least of my worries in this world It would not be possible for all my methods of transportation to be down at one time It would have to be something major going on in the earth an electronic disaster a permanent blackout God knows what.
     
  6. Victor Siles

    Victor Siles Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2018
    20
    4
    0
    Location:
    Garden City
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    I
    I've heard a lot of problems with transmissions with high mileage after changing the transmission fluid. Just wondering if you ever got the transmission fluid changed. How is your car running now? Any shifting problems?
     
  7. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    8,878
    1,549
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    Ive had no issues on about 5 gen 2 trans fluid changes. So far. Not even toyoda brand in a few
     
  8. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2012
    7,627
    3,848
    0
    Location:
    Wellington, New Zealand
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Are these things you've heard about concerning Gen 1 Prius (or even Prius in general) or a they about non-hybrid vehicles?

    If what you've heard about concerns non-hybrids, then it really is an apple-to-oranges comparison.
     
  9. Victor Siles

    Victor Siles Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2018
    20
    4
    0
    Location:
    Garden City
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    I
    I had it happen twice on me. Once a Chevy Camaro and the 2nd time on a Lincoln Town . Both times my cars had around 75;000 miles. This is my 1st time with a Prius Gen 1 that has 160,000 miles. The car runs fine. I asked my mechanic and he thinks we should not drop the pan. Just check the fluids. If its low add if not just leave it the way it is.
     
  10. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2012
    7,627
    3,848
    0
    Location:
    Wellington, New Zealand
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    So you can't really compare those non-hybrid transmissions to the Prius transaxle. Apples and oranges.
    Sensible advice. However, if it has never been changed it won't hurt anything to change it with the correct Toyota ATF Type T-IV.
     
    #10 dolj, Mar 27, 2024
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2024
  11. Victor Siles

    Victor Siles Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2018
    20
    4
    0
    Location:
    Garden City
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    I
    Ok I'm just asking cause this is my first time owning a Prius and I'm trying to get some feedback before I do the change.
     
    #11 Victor Siles, Mar 27, 2024
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2024
  12. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    23,759
    15,402
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    There isn't anything in a Prius transmission that shifts. In conventional cars' automatic transmissions, the fluid is used to transmit power, and actuate clutches and bands. Sometimes when it's been old and contaminant-laden for a long time and then you change it, those things will start behaving differently.

    None of those things are in a Prius transmission. The fluid only serves to lubricate and carry away heat (all while, preferably, not dissolving the electrical insulation in the motors).
     
    Victor Siles likes this.
  13. Victor Siles

    Victor Siles Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2018
    20
    4
    0
    Location:
    Garden City
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    I
    That sounds great. I was worried to drop the pan and find metal shavings in the oil. That's what happened in the past with my other vehicles. I didn't want to go thru that again. I know these transmissions must be very expensive. Thank you very much for explaining it to me.
     
  14. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    23,759
    15,402
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    The fluid still does have a job to do, lubricating metal gears and bearings, so yes, you probably will find some metal in it, ideally not 'shavings' so much as, let's say, a fine sort of 'silt'.

    There is a magnet in the pan to encourage most of that stuff to end up there. It will probably look sort of fluffy with the 'silt' stuck to it.
     
  15. Trombone

    Trombone Member

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2019
    193
    67
    0
    Location:
    Allentown, Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2002 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Just to satisfy my curiosity, and by way of answering my own question, I looked in the “Passport to Performance” booklet that came with the car (showing maintenance intervals and services). It shows no scheduled transmission oil changes, only “inspect” at 60K, 90K, and 120K. I recollect that I had dealer change the “fluid” (Toyota’s wording) at 90K miles. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to change it again at 161K, but OTOH why? Car is running beautifully and getting 46 mpg, operating temp normal (186-190), no unusual noises, no signs of leakage, etc., etc. But the book’s mileage only goes to 120K, as if Toyota didn’t expect the gen. 1 to last much beyond that. Well, guess what? There’s a few of us here to testify otherwise!

    Thanks to everyone who posted in response to my original question. I’ve learned from your thoughts and enjoyed the discussion. Keep it coming!
     
  16. ammdb

    ammdb Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2019
    266
    110
    1
    Location:
    Indianapolis
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
  17. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2012
    7,627
    3,848
    0
    Location:
    Wellington, New Zealand
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    There is really no reason to drop the pan. Just remove the fill plug first, then remove the drain plug (inspect the magnet and wipe clean), drain the oil, and refill with fresh oil. There couldn't be an easier job as these things go.
     
  18. Victor Siles

    Victor Siles Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2018
    20
    4
    0
    Location:
    Garden City
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    I
    Wow that's sounds great. Even better than I thought. Thank you great advice.
     
  19. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    23,759
    15,402
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    If I remember right, the gen 1 magnet is not attached to the drain plug. It's a separate flat rectangular magnet, lying in the pan.
     
  20. nolik

    nolik New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2024
    29
    5
    0
    Location:
    Dobczyce
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    I
    Масло в коробке передач буду менять каждый год. Поменяю на такой же как в двигателе. то есть сначала залью в коробку а через год залью это масло в двигатель. таким образом у меня всегда будет свежее масло. Сейчас залил в двигатель дизель 10в40. Дизельное масло хорошо очищает двигатель. Месяц назад залил в Краслер ПТ и заметил, что двигатель меньше греется