Transmission fluid change DIY

Probably because Toyota uses a wide gamut of automatic transmissions, AND discounts the need to change the Prius transaxle fluid, ever. This leaves their service and parts staff in the dark. I've heard transmission fluid changes on some other Toyota models is complicated, he made a mental misstep, assumed the Prius was in the category.

This is an ongoing source of friction, between conscientious owners and Toyota. I hope Toyota turns around on this, adds a periodic transaxle fluid change to the maintenance schedule. Personally I'd like to see BOTH the oil change and transaxle fluid change instruction shown in the Owner's Manual. Why not?


And a little less of this:

 

Just wanted to say thanks for this post. I changed my transmission fluid today along with the oil change. Was a bit messy, but I got it done.

 

In the Prius, you are always in D, P just inserts a pawl to stop the gears in D, N just cuts electricity in D so the engine has nothing to push against, B just adds engine braking to D, and R is just spinning the motors backwards in D.
Nothing ever shifts or slips.

 

Sorry I'm digging up an old post, havent been on the site for a while. I plan on trying to change my own tranny fluid. My question is, is it necessary to change out the transmission filter also? Thanks.

 

There is no transmission filter.

 

Here's the destructions:

 

Here's a link on how to do it:

Nutz About Bolts Prius Maintenance Videos

 

Thanks for the quick reply guys. I've seen "nuts about bolts" youtube video. His videos are also helping me out with the tedious job of changing spark plugs.

 

Sounds like you have a fair bit of work ahead of you.

How many miles on your Prius?

 

2010, 120K. All highway miles. I use it as my commuter car, 140 miles a day to & from work. No issues with the car as of yet, owned it for 3 years.

 

At that mileage you might want to take a peek at the egr pipe so you can see what the condition and carbon deposit situation looks like. It might tell you that more investigation and work is required.

Good luck and keep us posted .

 

Oh thanks for the heads up, I've seen a video on that also. I got a lot of work on my hands this summer. Doing oil & trans on the prius and my other car (5 series) spark plugs, oil, rear brakes and possibly trans fluid. Even though the 5 series has 72K on it, I'll change that transmission fluid. Not taking any chances.

 

That video is in that link of videos above. They are very helpful.

Good luck with your summer maintenance schedule and keep us posted.

 

Awesome article and will be doing very soon ! i just have one question does the car need to be warmed up prior to fluid drain? i usually let my car idle (under maintnence mode) for about 10 mins or so and drain the warm fluid out.

do i need to do the same for the transmission fluid change ?

any advice or thoughts will be appreciated
thanks

 

I wouldn't sit around idling, just do it asap after getting home from a drive.

 

I have a 2010 prius with 130k+ miles and I don't believe this was ever done yet. Is there any truth in the "too old to touch" theory with the Prius trans, or should I just go for it? Also once it's done, what's the recommended interval after for future changes?

 

It isn't quite as easy as putting gas in the car but it really isn't much harder.

Just a few basic tools and I used a little bottle pump to pump the Toyota WS transmission fluid back in. I will see if I can locate a good example of the pump.

http://www.amazon.com/Custom-Accessories-36670-Pennzoil-Transfer/dp/B001DKQZ9Q/ref=pd_sim_263_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B001DKQZ9Q&pd_rd_r=Y50R31Q8PJQ93FFV1XE1&pd_rd_w=dg89i&pd_rd_wg=cahbA&psc=1&refRID=Y50R31Q8PJQ93FFV1XE1


Here is a video to show you how. I would stop by my Toyota dealer and get a new aluminum gasket that he mentions in the video and the pump above isn't messy like his antique equipment. Good luck.

 

1) Too old to touch has to do with transmissions with tiny channels, often used for shift logic. The Prius never shifts and has no shift logic. So there is no chance of clogging the nonexistent shift logic.

2) Toyota has no recommended change interval, so we make up our own. I use the idea of 30,000 miles, then 90,000 miles then every 90,000 miles. So if you change now, at 130,000 miles, change again at 220,000.

3) a sample picture of shift logic, which the Prius does not have, you can see why some folks fear clogs.

 

Thanks guys! I appreciate the input.

 

No, that makes no sense to me: just change it. If you can handle an oil change, this is about on par, just a little different. You want the car to be raised and level. Drain the old, replace drain bolt, add new Toyota ATF WS till it starts coming out (hence the need for the car to be level).

You can use a pump; I got by with a funnel with hose extension. You can pour 3 liters/quarts with impunity, then maybe slow down, just put in 100 cc at a time, till it overflows, which should happen somewhere around 3.5 liters. It helps to have an assistant pouring.

For the future, maybe another in 30K miles, then every 60K thereafter. Actually, just the first one is the most important, you could call it done then.