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

Changing Hybrid Axle Fluid - 2012 Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by brakeshoe87, Apr 6, 2017.

  1. brakeshoe87

    brakeshoe87 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2013
    8
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    My dealer recommended I change the :hybrid axle fluid" on my 2012 Prius with 65000 miles on it. I declined the service until I had a chance to research it. Problem is I can't find references to axle fluid. I see posts on transmission or transaxle fluid but I am not sure if these are the same. Can someone explain what this is, whether it is needed, and what a reasonable price is. Thanks
     
    #1 brakeshoe87, Apr 6, 2017
  2. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2005
    3,837
    1,828
    1
    Location:
    Trumbull, CT
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    LE AWD-e
    They are one and the same and you should do a drain and refill (Don't pay extra for a "flush" as it is not useful on a Prius.). My dealer charges $100 for this service and since the materials cost almost $50, that is a reasonable price. Confirm that they will use Toyota type WS Transmission fluid as that is specified in the Prius manual.

    JeffD
     
    #2 jdenenberg, Apr 6, 2017
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,796
    48,995
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    it is not on toyota's maintenance list, because they consider it 'lifetime'. but if you are going to keep the car a long time, many people here recommend it.
    it's actually very unusual for a dealer to recommend it. most won't even do it, or are very reluctant when you ask them to.
     
    #3 bisco, Apr 6, 2017
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,723
    38,252
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Yeah, that was my first thought; maybe those guys are "keepers".

    Yes. And the letter-by-letter description in the Owner's Manual, is:

    GENUINE TOYOTA ATF WS

    If you're inclined to DIY, or are just curious what's involved, it'll require cracking 4 quarts (or liters) and will actually take around 3.5 quarts. They cost under $10 apiece, and the drain and fill bolt washers are maybe $2 apiece.

    Unlike a conventional automatic transmission, around 90% drains, so you are getting a near-complete fluid change with one drain and fill.
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Apr 6, 2017
  5. eliteconcept

    eliteconcept 700 mile club, top tank mpg 69.5

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2010
    448
    186
    0
    Location:
    Indiana
    Vehicle:
    2022 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    Toyota needs to get their story straight with these trans axle fluid changes.. they say its "life time fluid" so strange that they recommend draining it. Its a good idea to do don't get me wrong, but come on Toyota, its either recommended or its not..lol
     
    #5 eliteconcept, Apr 9, 2017
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  6. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2005
    3,837
    1,828
    1
    Location:
    Trumbull, CT
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    LE AWD-e
    Marketing pressure pushes the manufacturers to minimize the amount of periodic maintenance required as a sales feature. That is why Toyota says that the ATF is a "Lifetime fluid". If you read the manuals carefully, you will see a somewhat different schedule for "Harsh environments". My wife's Subaru dealer follows the "Harsh Environment" maintenance schedule for her Crosstrek saying that just the weather variation in Connecticut makes it a harsh environment for cars.

    JeffD
     
    #6 jdenenberg, Apr 10, 2017
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  7. Jimi1976

    Jimi1976 Active Member

    Joined:
    May 15, 2013
    242
    124
    0
    Location:
    Denver, CO
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    CVT fluid.
    I personally think you can let it ride way past 65k.
     
    #7 Jimi1976, Apr 10, 2017
  8. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2010
    3,524
    981
    8
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    The word is transaxle.
     
    #8 Former Member 68813, Apr 10, 2017
  9. Hjeff

    Hjeff Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2013
    25
    41
    0
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    It's easy. Valvoline's Maxlife is excellent. See youtube videos.
     
    #9 Hjeff, Apr 10, 2017
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,723
    38,252
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Why throw that out, considering the Owner's Manual strongly cautions against using anything but the specified Toyota fluid? I mean: fine, it's working for you, but don't evangelize, lol.

    See this:

    upload_2017-4-10_10-46-59.png

    Pros and cons aside, why go contrary to a strong warning??
     
    #10 Mendel Leisk, Apr 10, 2017
    Last edited: Apr 10, 2017
    Prius_Angie likes this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)