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

2008 with 145k miles... change ATF?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Goolash, Apr 6, 2019.

  1. Goolash

    Goolash Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2008
    36
    6
    0
    Location:
    SE Idaho, USA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    As the title says, my 2008 has about 145k miles. The ATF and front differential oil have been regularly inspected, assuming the dealership has done what they claim on the receipts. Is it likely too late to start changing these fluids? Is there a way to tell without draining the systems?
     
  2. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,251
    15,476
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    I’d drain it and refill it;).

    $40 for piece of mind:).

    Good luck and keep us posted (y).
     
    padroo likes this.
  3. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2008
    2,763
    2,250
    13
    Location:
    Chesterton, Indiana Another third world country.
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Like Ray says go ahead and change the ATF, it's not a big deal like a normal car. It's just a gear box, no bands, clutches or filter.
     
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,679
    48,930
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    not sure what front differential they are checking(n)
     
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  5. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,251
    15,476
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Hopefully not the one next to the blinker fluid:rolleyes:.
     
    bisco likes this.
  6. Goolash

    Goolash Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2008
    36
    6
    0
    Location:
    SE Idaho, USA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I mention front differential oil because it is listed in the owner's manual. Did not make much sense to me, either. I'm assuming it is a copy/paste error. I have since seen that it is really referring to the transaxle, which in turn is part of the transmission assembly, thus changing one is changing both.
     
  7. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,198
    6,463
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    It is not too late, just drain and replace with 3.9 US quarts of Toyota ATF-WS.