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

Where to buy ATF?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by almypal26, Jan 5, 2013.

  1. almypal26

    almypal26 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2010
    101
    1
    0
    Location:
    So Cal
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Where is the best place to purchase ATF fluid? I'm guessing online, but through which website? I looked on Amazon and Ebay, there were some for about $29.00 a bottle. Is that expensive? Can I get it cheaper? (I would hope so). What is the part number? And how many gasket(s) do I need to replace when I have this service done? I've read I would need four bottles (quarts). Is there anything else I need? I'm going to have my mechanic do the service. Thanks in advance for your input.:confused:
     
  2. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2008
    11,627
    2,530
    8
    Location:
    Southwest Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    The last time I exchanged ATF it cost some $8 - 10 a quart at the dealership.
    BTW, if you an change engine oil, you can change ATF.
     
  3. TsKarma

    TsKarma Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2012
    82
    8
    0
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    You will need to get 4 quart. Different dealership has different pricing, so do check their website or call for coupons and/pricing. Check the forum for tips and instruction if you want try it yourself. The car needs to be leveled. The best price I was able to get was about $45 if I brought 4 ATF. Nothing else needed.
     
  4. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2011
    6,972
    3,209
    1
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    4 bottles WS-ATF and two gaskets for the two plugs.
     
  5. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2012
    1,555
    659
    0
    Location:
    Central MO
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    II
    Yes but takes 3x longer the first time
     
  6. sfv41901

    sfv41901 Masta S

    Joined:
    May 5, 2010
    4,591
    5,291
    0
    Location:
    Palmdale, Ca
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    The only ATF fluid that u can use has to come from the dealer.....no where else. If u put anything other than the Toyota WS ATF, expect ur CVT transaxle to live a short life.
     
  7. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2009
    5,131
    1,338
    0
    Location:
    Wilmington, NC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Like others, I only get my ATF fluid along with the washers from my dealer.
     
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,474
    38,105
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring

    There's a few adventurous souls who defend (to the death, LOL) their right to put alternate fluids in. And the may be ok.

    But really: why bother, why chance it, why jeapordize your warranty? The kosher Toyota ATF WS fluid is cheap and readily availabe from the dealership. Same thing for the fill/drain plug washers.

    It's not that complicated, just follow the correct procedure.
     
    Rebound likes this.
  9. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2005
    3,193
    2,316
    0
    Location:
    CA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    4 qt from the dealer, price is about $11/qt (though I paid $9) and $2/ea for the washers.

    You will need either a gear oil pump (tedious) or 3' of 1/2" OD tube plus a measuring funnel ($5 at Walmart or O'Reilly) to refill. Refill should be about 3.7-3.8 qt.
     
  10. almypal26

    almypal26 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2010
    101
    1
    0
    Location:
    So Cal
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Thanks (everyone) for the info. I know most PC members suggest changing the trans fluid at about 30K miles. Just wondering anyone changing the fluid at higher mileage, 40K or more. I have 72K miles and sad to say I've put it off for way to long. This will be the transaxle fluid change.:eek:
     
  11. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2008
    11,627
    2,530
    8
    Location:
    Southwest Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    There are over 3 million Toyota hybrids running around, so odds are pretty good at least *one* other person has delayed the first ATF exchange past 30k miles.

    Feel better now ? ;)
     
  12. almypal26

    almypal26 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2010
    101
    1
    0
    Location:
    So Cal
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III

    Thanks SageBrush. A little better, now I can sleeep better.:sleep:
     
  13. Bill Norton

    Bill Norton Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2012
    1,810
    591
    0
    Location:
    MONW, Ks.
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Yet some follow the Toyota recommendation of never changing it.
    This is an technical look at what happens if you wait until 112K miles to change.
    ATF fluid changes ARE Required. | PriusChat

    Keep in mind, probably the vast majority of Priuses on the road may never get this essential service.
    Good for you about doing this service to your car!

    And I'm one of the owners that says "Horse Feathers" about Toyota's house brand of ATF WS as the one and only ATF that can be used.
    Walmart has their low dollar ATF that states it is compliant with ATF WS, and many other also make this claim.

    It's not a mysterious automatic transmission. It's not a CVT with the variable belt.
    It's a gearbox that needs a clean lube in it.

    I use High-Quality American-made Synthetic Lubricants.
     
    mtbiker53 likes this.
  14. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2005
    4,067
    687
    0
    Location:
    Eastern Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    The last time I bought ATF-WS was 2 years ago. List price was $8/qt from my local dealer, I got it for $7.20 because I bought the car there.
     
    TsKarma likes this.
  15. TsKarma

    TsKarma Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2012
    82
    8
    0
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    I had mine done at 81k to be on the safer side (it helped my decision when my local mechanic only charges $50 when we bring our own trans fluid). I am assuming that the previous owner didn't change it...

    My Toyota ATF was about the same price if not slightly cheaper than what Tumbleweed quoted above (I had a 15% off coupon for parts, etc), so 4 quarts cost about $30. All in all, $80 for a piece of mind.
     
  16. wetback1

    wetback1 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2009
    21
    1
    0
    Location:
    Courtenay, B.C. Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    My 2010 Prius has just hit 80000 KM (50000 miles) and after doing some reading here I thought I'd change the transmission fluid. I bought 4 'litres' (946ml) of WS ATF and 2 gaskets from my Toyota dealer for $39.69 taxes included. The fluid is labelled made in Canada which I thought was interesting. The factory gaskets were solid aluminum; the replacements look like spark plug gaskets, more crush to them.
    I bought an outboard gear oil pump from Princess Auto for $9.99 and it worked great, although it takes 125 'strokes' to empty a litre bottle. The refill took 3.5 litres. The whole job took less than 2 hrs from start to finish.
    Although the used fluid was definitely darker than new WS, I've seen a lot worse through many years of tranny fluid changes. Bear in mind that your engine oil doesn't come out the way it went in either; this just shows it's doing it's job. So although it may be useful preventative maintenance I wouldn't worry about your transaxle falling apart if you don't do it every 30K :) FWIW I just changed my first cabin air filter and am still using the factory engine air filter - and it doesn't really need changing yet. oilpump.jpg transdrain.jpg
     
    spiderman likes this.
  17. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2009
    7,543
    1,558
    0
    Location:
    Alaska
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    From the last photo, the fluid doesn't look all that bad (still translucent) compare to like F8L's and others at much less. Makes we wonder if something is wrong is some of these trans-axles?
     
  18. Bill Norton

    Bill Norton Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2012
    1,810
    591
    0
    Location:
    MONW, Ks.
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    That pump sounds like a lot of work compared to a simple funnel and hose setup where you stand up and pour the bottles into the funnel positioned above the right side of the engine. If you take out any screen in the funnel, it's even faster.
     
  19. wetback1

    wetback1 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2009
    21
    1
    0
    Location:
    Courtenay, B.C. Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    My primary concern was not getting it all over the place. If I had a 'good woman' :) to do the pouring while I held the hose and checked the level the funnel probably would have won out; alas I live alone...
    I did follow someone else's advice and use a white zap strap as a dipstick, works great!
     
  20. Bill Norton

    Bill Norton Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2012
    1,810
    591
    0
    Location:
    MONW, Ks.
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    I don't follow you. The funnel just sit there on the right side of the engine ( car right ) and the hose goes in the fill hole. You pour it in the funnel until it pours out the fill hole, have the drain pan there, wait for the excess to stop, pull the funnel and hose out from the top and Bob's your Uncle. Very little on your back-under the car time.

    I probably spend more time getting the car level on jack stands than the actual ATF change. I work through the oil change door. I can get my oil analysis bottle in there too. It drains onto the belly pan a little bit but that can be cleaned up with a few paper towels and a small blast of brake kleen.

    My next change is due. Maybe I'll track the time and take some pics and post it as a "Quick ATF Change" thread, you think?