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ATF WS Service a Good Idea

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by dezinerdad, Apr 3, 2012.

  1. dezinerdad

    dezinerdad Junior Member

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    After looking at a cut-away of a Prius transmission which was a real eye opener, and reading several posts on the subject I finally had my transmission fluid (ATF WS) drained and refilled at the dealer, he charged $90. I had 40,000 tough miles on the car and fluid looked it! It was very dark and compared to fresh fluid, obviously contaminated. Glad I did it!
     
  2. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    You can wait till 100k miles to do it again and it will come out cleaner.

    JeffD
     
  3. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    Mine looked fairly clean when I had a drain and fill done at the 15k mark.

    I plan to do it again in a few thousand miles at the 30k mark, and make a video on how to do it.

    Replacing it every 30k is a good preventive maintenance approach, even if it errs on the side of overkill. If you cannot do it yourself, it is $120-$150 well spent.
     
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  4. pjksr02

    pjksr02 Active Member

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    I changed my ATF yesterday, at 29,000 miles, for piece of mind. My OEM fluid appeared an ashen red, suggesting metal in suspension.

    The job wasn't too bad. For refilling, I used clear plastic tubing and a small funnel. Total cost was $32 for the ATF, and a few bucks for the tubing, funnel, and a new drain-plug washer, plus two hours.
     

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  5. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    is there an ATF filter in Prius?
     
  6. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    No, and no pump either.

    JeffD
     
  7. 72fordgts

    72fordgts Member

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    What's the process to do this job at home? I am assuming there is a drain plug, and a fill plug somewhere? What is the capacity of fluid? We have 30K on ours now, so I'd liked to change the fluid. I have done many tranny services in the past on other cars, so I am not expecting this to be a difficult service.
     
  8. GSW

    GSW PRIUS POWER

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    For those doing it yourself, make sure the car is level when filling. The manual states the ATF-WS needs to be 0-10mm from the fill hole. If you have the front of the car jacked up you will not be able to put in the correct amount. I noticed you can only get 3 quarts in with the front jacked up (you need 3.5 qts or as the manual said, 0-10mm from the fill hole) so make sure its level.
     
  9. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    There is a pump in the Prius transmission Biult into the centre of the end plate it picks up oil trough a small strainer and pumps oil round the system.
     
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Transmission fluid change is a fairly easy DIY, about on par with an oil change. You'll need:

    1. 10mm hex socket, torque wrench, a few extensions, a breaker bar and a regular socket wrench.
    2. Funnel and 3 foot (plus) of hose, to get the fluid down to the fill port. An assistant is almost necessity, someone to pour while you check for overflow, from below. Or you can use some sort of pump.
    3. 4 liters or quarts of Toyota's ATF-WS fluid. (The spec'd. amount is 3.3 liters or 3.5 us quarts.)
    4. 2 replacement washers for the fill and drain bolts. (not absolute necessity, but...)
    4. The means to get the car safely raised and level.

    There are two bolts on the side of the transmission, top one fill, bottom drain. Both need 10mm socket. For sure break loose the fill bolt first, just in case you have troubles.

    When refilling, you can put in the first 3 quarts/liters quickly, then go slow on the 4th. Stop when it starts coming back out, and just let it trickle for a while. Put in a pinky and splash a bit out and it will likely stop dripping soon. That's basically where the level should be.

    After doing ours, I ran it for a day or two, and then checked the level again: it hadn't changed.

    (Just to help get your bearings in the first picture in the attachment: the large diameter circle adjacent to the bolt id'd as *1 (filler plug) is the drive shaft, coming out of the right side of the transaxle.)

    Addendum: Just want to clarify: the "hex socket" I mention in item #1 is maybe a poor description. In a nutshell, both the fill and drain bolts have a 10mm hex recess. The socket needed are like a hex wrench, built into a socket drive.
     
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  11. almypal26

    almypal26 Member

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    Just straight fluid only? How much tranny fluid? Where to buy it also? Thanks:confused:
     
  12. pjksr02

    pjksr02 Active Member

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    Great synopsis. I'd add that if you remove your right wheel, it's easier to see the two holes, especially when refilling, though this isn't required.
     
  13. BruceInOKC

    BruceInOKC Member

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    Does anyone know the refill vs. total capacity for Gen III? The 2012 Owner's Manual says the fluid capacity is 3.6 US qt, 3.4 L, or 3.0 Imp. qt. These are probably the refill amounts. Having both numbers helps in determing the percent of new fluid per change.
     
  14. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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  15. mracko

    mracko Junior Member

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    I am having my transmission fluid changed this Friday, while they are doing an oil change and tire rotation. I figure I better after reading all the posts regarding the conditions of their transmission fluid when changed out early.

    We bought our 2010 in February with 35k miles and now it has 44k. Not sure what kind of miles the first 35K were, but I do know it was a rental, so I figure better be safe than sorry.
     
  16. srivenkat

    srivenkat Active Member

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    Thanks for the instructions.

    Would the below siphon pump from Home Depot work, you think?

    Plastic Siphon Pump-DH-10 at The Home Depot
     
  17. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    ATF WS and two washers for the Drain and Fill plugs.

    You will buy 4 quarts., it will use 3.5.

    Toyota dealer parts department.
     
  18. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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  19. Dark_matter_doesn't

    Dark_matter_doesn't Prius Tinkerer

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    That's what I used. The siphon tube has to be cut shorter, otherwise it worked great. Much easier than the "long tube and funnel" approach for one person.
     
  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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