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ATF-WS change and new Spark Plugs at 67k

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by amarino, Sep 26, 2021.

  1. amarino

    amarino Member

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    Warning: Lots of pics.

    2015 Two at 67k miles. I know early for spark plugs but seems worth it since the ceramic looks a bit toasty. Was also a good time to clean up all the dirt and debris that gets under the cowling. Replaced with SC16HR11 from the dealer, $9.90 each.


    Next was transaxle drain and fill. Used about 3.5 qts of ATF-WS also got from the dealer, $11.94 each qt and got 4 bottles.

    I tried using a cheap "fluid transfer pump" from Harbor Freight years ago on my old BMW and was a horrible experience. Instead picked up one of these "Fluid Extractors" https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MPQ8RBG/ and was so much easier.

    When a bottle ran low and was getting lots of air sucked in, would take the first pull from the next bottle, then pour the remaining of the previous bottle into that one. First time I made the mistake of not taking some fluid out of the new bottle before pouring in the remaining of the previous one and ended up overflowing it.

    Right around 3.5 qts is when it started leaking out and I let it settle for a minute like the TIS says. Here is what it looked like before I sealed it back up with a slow steady stream.



    Like with my oil changes, I took a sample of the trans fluid and will send it for analysis at Blackstone Labs and see what they say. Will report back here but it will probably be a few weeks for them to process it.


    Also did my first checkup of my Oil Catch Can I installed about 1000 miles ago. There was a little bit of fluid (didn't measure it) and it was more watery than oily. See in the video below:


    And no leaking from any of the barb connectors. Now I'll feel more confident without checking until my next 5k oil change.

    Coolant is next. Local dealer was out of SLLC and didn't have an ETA for restock.
     

    Attached Files:

    #1 amarino, Sep 26, 2021
    Last edited: Sep 26, 2021
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  2. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    What did the old ATF-WS look like?

    Yeah, that spark plug change was really early. Our plugs at 124k looked a lot like yours, maybe a bit darker brown on the ceramic insulator, but the electrodes looked really good.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #2 xliderider, Sep 26, 2021
  3. amarino

    amarino Member

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    Here's the fluid. Still a little hint of red.

    PXL_20210926_054423900.jpg
     
    #3 amarino, Sep 26, 2021
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    All your services are really early, maybe the transaxle fluid change was all that's needed.

    You don't have to mess with the coolant until 100k miles
     
    #4 JC91006, Sep 26, 2021
  5. amarino

    amarino Member

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    Had my EGR cleaned recently at HybridPit in SoCal and they also recommended these other services early or while they were in there type things. Declined at the time to do some more research on my own.

    Reading other threads on here some people say do the transaxle fluid at 30k and then every 60k after, which I think is too early. Or others say every 60k.

    The Warranty/Maintenance Guide says to do it at 60k for the "Special Conditions" which I don't meet but still a good reference point.

    Also recently discovered The Car Care Nut on YouTube and he also recommends doing it between 60-90k or 6-9 years.



    I guess I thought coolant and plugs should be at the same time but double checking the Maintenance Guide it has them at 100k and 120k. Too late for the plugs but I can hold off on the coolant for now.
     
    #5 amarino, Sep 26, 2021
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    That’s not good. :confused:

    My 2 cents regarding transaxle fluid change interval: earlier is better for first change, say 12 months or 10k miles. Then stretch it.
     
    #6 Mendel Leisk, Sep 26, 2021
  7. amarino

    amarino Member

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    Here is the ATF WS report from Blackstone Labs

    15-prius-atf-ws-67k.png
     
    #7 amarino, Oct 12, 2021
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  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i like it, well done!(y)
     
    #8 bisco, Oct 12, 2021
  9. johnHRP

    johnHRP Active Member

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    I just did mine, european maintenance schedule is 60k miles, I checked mine at 70k miles, they are good and i put them back after little cleaning on the tread from oily residue.
    Toyota dealer asked for €200 to replace sparkplugs. Or €600 to do spark plugs, brake fluid, and oil change at 60k miles.
    Toyota lured us to do maintenance in dealership to get 10 years 100k miles warranty.
     

    Attached Files:

    #9 johnHRP, Jan 4, 2022
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Euros??
     
    #10 Mendel Leisk, Jan 5, 2022
  11. johnHRP

    johnHRP Active Member

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    Right, Euro. I live in Germany now and the way people keep their cars here is overkill. Schedule annual maintenance (oilchange+filter+cabin filter) costs €220 and every 2 years with additional brake fluid change, €440. The majority of cars owner maintain their cars in a dealership when it is still under warranty. Toyota knows the mindset and gives European optional 10y after 3y warranty is over if they maintain it in the dealership. But now, they bump the price 50-70% more than before this 10Y/100k miles warranty started in summer 2020. So now, my dealership charge €420 every year, and € 560 every other year to keep this stupid Relax 10Y warranty.
     
    #11 johnHRP, Jan 5, 2022
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  12. OptimusPriustus

    OptimusPriustus Active Member

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    Traditional automatic transmissions need lots of TLC and attention for obvious reasons. But these eCVT’s have completely different working principle: electric (no solenoids or torque converters). Even when putting on reverse there’s no mechanical actuation at gearbox. Had my Prius Gen3 oils changed at 210kkm (11 years old) and i think it was first oil change. No noticeable difference in the feel or behaviour. At Toyota dealership they said that ”sure they can change the oils” but it was me who suggested it. At these kilometers my Volvo had already went through a number of oil changes, adaptation, internal seals replaced under warranty (whole gear box was opened) and it again starts to feel jerky. Maybe the seals are gone again:)

    Instead of replacing eCVT transmission oils too often i would spend the money on brake fluids, coolants and especially(!) engine oil replacements.
     
    #12 OptimusPriustus, Jan 6, 2022
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