Replace Tran fluid

might that leave some crud on the bottom?

 

Why not just drain the transaxle via the drain plug as designed?

Are you having trouble removing it or something?

 

+1 to dolj

Sounds like more effort than opening the drain plug.

I'm lazy. I like having gravity do the work for me.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Me too, both for draining and filling. Think there’s a link in my signature on transaxle fluid change, 3rd gen specific but with some general tips.

 

Drain plug dirty brown fluid goes out drains a little while and then red fluid goes in couldn't be simpler similar to an oil change.

 

it's not built like a differential with only the fill plug. It has a drain plug and fill plug, always remove the fill plug first before the drain plug. Stop filling when it starts to spill out from the fill plug. Also make sure it's level when filing up.

 

Since none of the experts see a problem, I’d say you’re good to go

 

If the goal is to replace the ATF; why invest in a fluid extractor when there is a perfectly good drain plug to unscrew? For a fluid extractor to work properly, you'll need to snake the intake tube all the way down to the bottom of the tranny. This should yield a bit more than 3 - 3.5 quarts. Anything less, you've left fluid behind the drain plug.
Using a fluid extractor on a transmission with out a drain plug is perfectly fine, but your Prius has a drain plug. Most heavy debris will congregate next to that drain plug, so if you don't remove it, you'll be leaving it in the transmission.

 

You could but you won't be certain it has the right amount. What if the last job has it a little too full or too low? The fill plug underneath ensures you put in the exact right amount.
It's a simple job...you'll probably spend longer removing the plastic undercover than actually draining and filling! If you do it that way, I suggest refilling from above...SO much easier than laying on your back pumping the stupid jug....I just did my wife's Prius last summer and used this: (I had my wife look underneath while I filled it and she told me when it was coming out into the drain pain.)

AmazonSmile: Hopkins FloTool 10704 Measu-Funnel with On/Off Spout, Black : Automotive

 

The other thing about pulling the drain plug is that it's magnetic and it will have a bunch of metal dust (hopefully nothing larger than dust) stuck to it. Ideally you want to clean that off when you change the fluid too. Given how much easier access to the drain plug is than the fill plug, I would not go with the fluid extractor method in this particular case.

 

Some have the magnetic drain plug. Second gen does I think. Third gen I know does not. The c might.

That's inaccuracy in the making. Just remove the drain plug, and out comes all the fluid. When refilling, have the car level, and fill till it starts coming back out. That is the "correct amount".

Again, see the link in my signature ("transaxle fluid change"). It's 3rd gen, but has general info.

 

It's almost like feeling a solid axle rear end with gear oil You can fill it up until it just begins to start to seep out of the hole you're pumping the gear oil into same with the generation 2 transmission The tad little bit you're over by letting it run out of the fill plug is not going to hurt specification I can pretty much guarantee you that not enough to talk about. But we can if you want in a rear end you fill it up until you can stick your pinky finger in the rear end fill hole bend the pinky down a little bit and you're touching 85 weight 90 gear oil then you put the cat back on the plug back in whatever and let it rip.

 

If you don’t mind: it’s too physically demanding, you don’t currently have the equipment, condo rules, or plain ol’ nerves?

 

i'm fine with lying down, it's the getting up that's the problem

 

Well, experts, rules me out LOL.
Especially since I have no experience with a gen 2.
Since you are 1/2 way there... eg: removing the fill plug and routing a hose to fill....why not just remove the drain plug too?
Cost is just a second seal/ gasket.
If I were an expert, I'd say drain plug removal will remove the debris at the bottom of the case better than suction.
Good luck.

 

It would be easier to jack up the car (or drive the front onto ramps and just jack up the rear), but you do not need to "pull the cover". The transaxle pan on the Gen 2 has a drain plug, just like the engine oil pan does. So, if you're doing your own oil changes, you can certainly do the transaxle drain in the same way.

 

Good post @nemebean. By not pulling the drain plug you will have no idea how much metal debris is on the magnetic drain plug. This is very good information to know on an older vehicle! By pulling the drain plug you can also have the tech capture a small amount of old oil to have analyzed if you wanted to which can tell you a lot about the condition of the trans. I wouldn't go through the expense to analyze the oil unless you see a considerable amount of magnetic debris on the drain plug... but if I did see that I would be very tempted to run the sample to see. Don't pass up the opportunity to assess the condition of your trans based on the old oil and drain plug. Use this opportunity to not only replace the oil but assess the trans. You won't get this chance again for many thousands of miles. Best case there will be little debris and you will know the trans is in reasonable shape based on the plug debris. That is peace of mind and a job well done.

Good Luck

 

I have replaced my 07 trans fluid a few times.

The first time you crack open the fill plug which is high in the front of the trans facing the rad its very difficult. Toyota really socked down that bolt. I used a 2 foot long breaker bar/pipe to bust it loose and it made a super loud crack when it finally let loose the first time.

The trans takes exactly 4 quarts of trans fluid. if you change it just once its good for the life of the car this trans is very easy on its fluid once you get all the break in wear in that fluid out of the trans its good to go.

I usually included a change of the inverter fluid and an AC Evap coil service at the same time. The Inverter coolant dump bolt is right next to the trans fluid dump bolt. Buy a can of Koolit on Amazon and shoot it up the ac drip hole hose.

I like to make the most of the car being up in the air.

This is all super simple stuff that makes a very big impact on the longevity of the car.

Instructions on the SEARCH FORUMS list.