Transaxle maintenance

I believe the crush washers are 90430-A0003 now. I have a bag of the crush washers, pm me if you want 2 of them for $2.50, the dealer price here was $2.75 per washer, so I sourced some washers in bulk.

SCH-I535

 

If you're buying at a dealership parts department, it's sufficient to just:

1. Tell them your car model/year
2. Ask for 4 quarts (or liters) of ATF-WS and washers for the transaxle drain/fill bolts.

Also, if you're discussing it with them, say you're doing a transaxle fluid replacement, not a "service" or "maintenance". Just clearer.

 

I recently changed my transaxle fluid on my 2010 Prius at 50k miles. I drained 3 1/4 quarts with the car level. It took 4 1/4 quarts when I refilled. No leaks were detected. I think it was under filled at the factory.

 

I can't see any reason to measure what comes out, or how that measurement would have any bearing on the refill. If you just completely drain (and it will mostly drain, it's different than a traditional automatic), ensure the car's level (just the best you can), and then pour in fresh 'till it starts coming back out, and let it sit with the fill bolt out 'till the flow out subsides, then you've got the level right.

I'm having a hard time seeing how you could get 4 1/4 quarts in. In my experience it took about 3.5 liters, maybe 3.8 quarts? Best guess: you were pouring fast, and a fair bit spilled back out? The car was still level when you did the fill??

 

I had poured the drained tranny fluid into an empty 5 quart oil container. The container shows the volume on the side where the container plastic is clear. I did not purposely measure the old fluid. I just put it in an old oil container and looked at the volume I removed. I pumped the fluid in from the bottom of the car. I did not force the fluid in. When the fluid started to drip out from over filling, I reinstalled the plug. Toyota is notorious for under filling their automatic transmissions. I was short a quart on my 2013 Tacoma when the level was checked.

 

FWIW, the "capacity" in the service/owner's manual is what SHOULD be in the vehicle. Where lubricant is concerned, fluid levels can be considerably lower with no damage to the component. The capacity factors in a massive safety margin.

So, I wouldn't be surprised if auto makers short customers on how much they put in at the factory. One US Quart less than max capacity does no harm but save them millions in the long run, I'm sure.

 

i remember my car took more to fill than i got out, its been so long i can remember how much the diff. I SUSPECT that they fill at a higher temp than what i drained. temp will make a big diff.. not sure wht the required temp to change would be.

 

Is anyone getting oil analysis done on these Gen III transaxle fluid changes like we were doing on the Gen II cars? I'm just wondering. I just bought a new 2014 v and I'm wondering what my first fluid change interval should really be. I'm doing 60K intervals on the old 2007 car.

 

Sounds to me like they used the WRONG fluid, AND under filled. That bit about the computer telling them when it's "topped off" is pure BS: you just fill 'till it starts coming back out. And what the heck is a "unit".

They should have drained, then added Toyota ATF-WS Transaxle Fluid. It takes a bit over 3,5 quarts or liters. I'm not sure what you should do now.... Contact Toyota? Demand a flush and ATF-WS fill.

Even the Owners Manual stipulates ATF-WS, warns to not use anything else.

 

Agreed.