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Trans slips when cold

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Bob Holliston, Jul 9, 2012.

  1. Bob Holliston

    Bob Holliston Junior Member

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    The transmission slips a little when first driving after startup. After about two minutes it's fine. Anyone know how to check the ATF? Also where to add and what kind. The owner's manual has no ref. to this. Thanks, Bob
     
    #1 Bob Holliston, Jul 9, 2012
  2. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    Your car does not have a transmission to slip but a transaxle that contains two electric motors and a couple of planetary gear sets. During the first two minutes while the ICE is warming up the ICE does not develop much power and depends largely on MG2. Once the ICE has warmed up then it produces more of the power needed. This transition is quite noticeable.

    To answer your question about checking the ATF there two plugs on the side of the transaxle, a drain plug and a fill plug. You remove the upper fill plug and verify that the ATF level is within 10 mm of the bottom of the fill plug. The transaxle uses the Toyota ATF-WS only.
     
    #2 jdcollins5, Jul 9, 2012
  3. Bob Holliston

    Bob Holliston Junior Member

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    Thank you. I've only owned the car for a week and maybe it's always done this but just noticed it yesterday and got worried. Bob
     
    #3 Bob Holliston, Jul 9, 2012
  4. xs650

    xs650 Senior Member

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    If the electronics that control the electrical power flow between MG1 (Motor Generator) and MG2 in the transmission weren't working right, you could get "slip" but the slip would be in the electrical couple between the MG units and not a mechanical slip. That said, in over 2 years of Prius ownership and reading this forum, I have never heard of that happening in the real world.

    It's a good idea to check the transmission fluid level when you first get the car, then at factory recommended intervals after that. Leaks are also very uncommon.
     
    #4 xs650, Jul 9, 2012
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