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How do you check and change the fluid level in the coupler and the transmission?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by jayman, Jan 17, 2007.

  1. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    Scotty Yep that's the right thread.

    I'm still unsure what the OP means by "coupler?" The PSD fluid level is checked as referenced in the thread Scotty mentioned.
     
    #1 jayman, Jan 17, 2007
  2. trilect

    trilect New Member

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    I put my prius on a rack last week just to look things over and was wondering, how do you check the fluid level in both the ICE to hybred coupler and the CV transmission? Also how do you change the same fluids?

    I think I read on the forum that the coupler uses toyota automatic transmission fluid (1 gallon) does the CV transmission use the same?
     
    #2 trilect, Jan 17, 2007
  3. ScottY

    ScottY New Member

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    #3 ScottY, Jan 17, 2007
  4. trilect

    trilect New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jayman @ Jan 17 2007, 04:32 AM) [snapback]377057[/snapback]</div>

    I mean the power split device, I've only had the car for 2 weeks so far and don't know the lingo yet. I read the referenced thread and I think I saw something about how the fluid was changed but didn't read the whole thing. Was a bit too indepth for what I wanted LOL.

    I'll just buy the service manuals one at a time. I was shocked to see how expensive the manuals are.
     
    #4 trilect, Jan 18, 2007
  5. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    try downloading the manuals at Toyota's website
     
    #5 DaveinOlyWA, Jan 18, 2007
  6. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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    The CVT and the PSD are the same thing and the only place that uses transmission fluid. There is a drain plug and a fill plug, no dip stick. There are two drain plugs but the other one is for the inverter coolant. Toyota didn't recommend a change interval for the PSD fluid, some knowledgeable people on this site have suggested changing it at about 30K mile intervals.

    There are some instructions for changing it referenced in the link above. Some people use the synthetic ATF available from Toyota.
     
    #6 tumbleweed, Jan 18, 2007
  7. dmckinstry

    dmckinstry New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tumbleweed @ Jan 18 2007, 08:25 AM) [snapback]377192[/snapback]</div>
    Mine was checked at 30k. I don't know if they actually changed it though. I'll have to look at the invoice.

    Dave M.
     
    #7 dmckinstry, Jan 18, 2007
  8. ScottY

    ScottY New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dmckinstry @ Jan 18 2007, 11:33 AM) [snapback]377199[/snapback]</div>
    How do you "check" it, since there's no dip stick of any kind?
     
    #8 ScottY, Jan 18, 2007
  9. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ScottY @ Jan 18 2007, 12:22 PM) [snapback]377240[/snapback]</div>
    Well, I have a 35 minute layover changing planes, then I'm gone for 1.5 weeks. So I have to make this quick.

    No, there is no dipstick. The newest Toyota auto transmissions also don't have a dipstick. You have to have the car perfectly level - such as up on a hoist on flat on the floor with an underfloor pit - and you have to remove the PSD filler plug.

    Slight seepage indicates correct fluid level. I suppose if you poke your little finger in the hole, and feel fluid just below the threads, that is fine too.

    The PSD doesn't hold much fluid. I've purchased the specified WS fluid which comes in 4 litre tin jugs. After doing a drain, using my handy little pump, I've had fresh fluid ooze out with around 200ml left behind in the tin jug.

    Here are some important "gotcha's" for the PSD

    1. Always *always* take the fill plug off first. If you should happen to remove the drain plug, drain all the fluid, and for some reason the fill plug is cross-threaded at the factory or otherwise buggered, you're SOL.

    2. The hex bolt is the drain for the PSD. The regular 24 mm bolt next to it is the inverter/converter coolant drain. If you should happen to get the wrong drain bolt off, and get air into the inverter/converter cooling system, you're SOL. It's a *very* involved air bleeding process.

    Quite frankly I'm not sure why Toyota didn't use the hex bolt for the coolant drain and the regular bolt for the PSD fluid drain. The novice could easily confuse the two.

    Ok I need a coffee. See everybody Jan 31
     
    #9 jayman, Jan 18, 2007
  10. dmckinstry

    dmckinstry New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ScottY @ Jan 18 2007, 09:22 AM) [snapback]377240[/snapback]</div>
    I assumed they drain a small amount out for a visual examination.

    Of course, I could be wrong. And if the replacement fluid is cheap (i.e. inexpensive) enough, it might have been just as easy to do a replacement. My maintenance paperwork is in a drawer at home.

    Dave M.
     
    #10 dmckinstry, Jan 18, 2007
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