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Transaxle Oil Change a BIG NO NO!!???

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by GSW, Feb 11, 2011.

  1. GSW

    GSW PRIUS POWER

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    Just got off the phone with a Toyota dealership here in Little Rock, Arkansas. I told him I wanted to know how much it would cost me to change the transaxle oil. He said their dealership would not do it because it voided the warranty. :eek: He also said the 2010 Prius may have a sealed transaxle case (Thats BS, I know).

    What's going on folks and why such a hassle? You would think we are in a third world country with all the propaganda floating around. So... will it really void your warranty if you change it? Any formal information explaining Toyota's policy?

    The only good thing I found out is I can buy the fluid ATF-WS for $8.00 a quart. Since I change the ICE oil (0w20) myself, I will probably change the transaxle fluid also if it does not void Toyota's warranty. (If its true?)
     
  2. telmo744

    telmo744 HSD fanatic

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    I would try to get that info by writing, which would later be used formally against the dealership. LOL
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i don't know about the warranty, though i doubt it, when i asked a local dealer how much to change it, they didn't want to do it. it's funny how they add whatever they want to toyota's recommendations, but when you want something not on their list, they are clueless.
     
  4. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    Yet here in Canada a transaxle oil change is required to keep warranty

    Toyota used to say the same thing about the "sealed" auto transmission used in the FJ Cruiser. They don't say that anymore, I guess a combination of lack of external transmission cooler, and offroading, all conspire to ensure that "lifetime" fluid really isn't very lifetime

    Some dealerships have even claimed that it's "normal" for the FJ auto trans fluid to turn black. Then when the transmission fails, they also claim it was clearly abused and refuse to honor the warranty

    Huh, an off road machine actually used offroad, will void warranty.
     
  5. Judgeless

    Judgeless Senior Member

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    I had mine done at 30,000 miles. No issues from the dealer.
     
  6. cycle11111

    cycle11111 New Member

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    Total baloney here for sure. There were a number of folks that tested this in the past and it showed contamination at 30K miles and every 60K after that
     
  7. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    I was just at my dealership last weekend buying the ATF-WS fluid and plug gaskets. The Service Manager walked in while I was buying and heard our conversation. He even pointed out the correct part number for the plug gaskets to the young guy behind the counter.

    If it voids the warranty, he sure never said anything about it. I plan to change mine this weekend.
     
  8. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    Clueless dealerships are a penny a dozen.
    And kudos for finding the WS at $US 8/qt. I paid quite a bit more than that a couple of months ago.

    Addendum: I found this online price of $24/"one" at
    http://www.allworldautomotive.com/auto_parts_for_sale_transmission_oil_ots20082.html
    but I do not know if the quantity is one container of 4L, or 1 case with 24L, and I did not inquire of S&H.

    I'm passing it along mostly because it might interest a group purchase or a fair. Even oh-so-cheap me is not going to buy 15 years of the stuff ;)
     
  9. ksstathead

    ksstathead Active Member

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    Hobbit has nice how to pieces on transaxle fluid change in gen2 (similar).
    techno-fandom.org
    and look down his list for 50K and 100K maintenance links.
    There are also how to threads here at pc, i think.
    The dealer does not provide the warranty and wouldn't know what voided it if it bit them.
     
  10. GSW

    GSW PRIUS POWER

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    I believe I read somewhere that Toyota fills the transaxle in a dust, dirt free area, safe from contaminants? Perhaps this is why we are getting some mixed signals from dealerships and or warranty?

    Thanks ksstathead, I've read some of Hobbit's pieces. Also Bob Wilson's great info on transaxle fluid.
     
  11. Rae Vynn

    Rae Vynn Artist In Residence

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    Mine was just changed today. $9.84 per quart, through the dealer, plus labor.

    Of course, it's a Gen II.

    I think you need a new service department. Call around.
     
  12. gobux

    gobux Junior Member

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    Mine told me they needed 5qts.. though they didn't show me the evidence of the use.
     
  13. udister

    udister Junior Member

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  14. bnaccs

    bnaccs bnaccs

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    I have decided that I will get the fluid changed at 30,000. I'm just a bit concerned about the dealership filling the tranny correctly, since there really is no way for me to check the fluid level. Maybe it is better left alone. Some of the posts about people asking their service departments about the fluid change and their lack of knowledge does not inspire confidence. At least we know that most likely it was filled right at the factory.
     
  15. dkelly

    dkelly Member

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    I don't have a clue what you just said.
     
  16. xs650

    xs650 Senior Member

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    I tried Google Translate, it couldn't detect what language that was.:D
     
  17. dkelly

    dkelly Member

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    I just checked the service manual. No special precautions. Looks like a pretty simple job.
     
  18. udister

    udister Junior Member

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    I said you don't need to change the transmission oil till your warranty over simple
     
  19. GSW

    GSW PRIUS POWER

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    It's simple if you have a lift and can keep it level (for filling). Unfortunately I just have a jack.
     
  20. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    I use a pair of ramps on the front and a pair of jack stands on the back. Drive up on the ramps, jack the rear end up, check for level and then set rear end on jack stands. Or you could use 4 jack stands.

    It is still simple.
     
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