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Transmission fluid change: need to level car?

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by priusplus_fr, Jul 11, 2018.

  1. priusplus_fr

    priusplus_fr Junior Member

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    Hi everybody,
    I have got two lift stands for my front wheels. Do i need to lift my rear wheels too to perform transmission fluid drain/refill ? or is it just fine by lifting only the front (as i did for oil change)?
    I am a total newbie on cars.
    Thanks.
     
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  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome!
    just a guess, but i think so. check youtube for video instructions.
     
  3. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    You can just jack the front up, but you won’t get all the old fluid out;).

    Not the end of the world, but that’s about it:).

    Good luck and keep us posted (y).
     
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  4. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

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    I always found a driveway with a down slope and put the end of the car I was working on up on ramps to the down side. More room for me and level for drainage. The trans fluid change doesn't get nearly as much fluid out as the engine oil change so do the best you can as 50% is better than nothing.
     
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  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    can it be siphoned out?
     
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  6. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    It can be but there isn’t that much that is left if you just do the front;).

    We did @Pedal Logic ’s trans fluid drain and fills with the front end only up and got out 3.5 quarts. When I just did mine completely level, got 3.9:).

    So if you were to compare the 2 (and assume that the level change is the benchmark), you’ll get out 85% of the contents;).

    Close enough if that’s all you can do(y).
     
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  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    thanks, i was concerned about mike focus 50%. is the v different?
     
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  8. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Nope;).

    We did both of @Pedal Logic ’s cars: 2010 Prius III and a 2014 v

    Done in the same location and got the same amount out:).

    I love repeatable results(y).
     
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  9. Lucifer

    Lucifer Senior Member

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    Put the front on jacks, the rear only requires one jack, there’s a metal gizmo in the center, jack it, use jack stands.
    Yes, the car wants to be level to drain.
     
  10. priusplus_fr

    priusplus_fr Junior Member

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    OK thanks for the feedback. I think I will put lift the rear wheels too then.
     
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  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Get a couple more safety stands?

    If the v is similar to reg third gen, I don't see front raised only making a difference to how much drains. But when filling: you fill till it starts coming back out, and if it's not level yeah of course: that'll change things.

    Work safe. I don't use the scissor jack location points for safety stands, find them too flimsy. Look for nearby, solid, unsprung points, if possible. Front and rear if possible.
     
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  12. priusplus_fr

    priusplus_fr Junior Member

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    Thanks for the feedback. Safety is important!
     
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  13. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    It might make a difference on filling. That would depend on if the fill hole is centered front to back and if the inside shape and the internal components are fairly symmetrical. (My driveway slopes, so I only needed one pair of stands.)
     
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