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Transmission fluid change

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by attyjeff, May 23, 2013.

  1. attyjeff

    attyjeff Member

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    I was wondering about this myself and there are a few threads on here, its very easy to do on your own, I called around and every dealer I called said I didnt need it until over 100,000 miles, well there is only 4 qts in the transmission thats a long haul for that oil. then when I pressed them they wanted $280. to do it. Anyway, I have attached a video I found, its just as easy with ramps and a funnel with a long hose. Some have said that they will change the oil at 5,000 to get the break in stuff out, I'm thinking 30,000 is a safe but thats just me, here is the video if you are interested:


     
    #1 attyjeff, May 23, 2013
  2. syscon

    syscon Member

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    Very good idea to change this fluid.
    Question is, is this video applicable to Prius 2010 3-rd gen.
     
    #2 syscon, May 23, 2013
  3. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    It looks like the Prius is a 2nd Gen.
     
    #3 NutzAboutBolts, May 23, 2013
  4. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    Location of those plugs in 2nd gen is different from what I saw in my 3rd gen.
     
    #4 Former Member 68813, May 23, 2013
  5. attyjeff

    attyjeff Member

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    I will crawl under and look. I thought it was the same based on the videos I saw not just this one.
     
    #5 attyjeff, May 24, 2013
  6. attyjeff

    attyjeff Member

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    #6 attyjeff, May 24, 2013
  7. syscon

    syscon Member

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    How to level the car for transmission oil change?
    I know the car has to be level in order to fill IN the correct amount of fluid and my garage has a bit of grade level but I'm not sure if it has any significance.

    When I lift the car by front center point with my 2ton jack, I was only able to raise the car by 6.5in.
    When I use my ramp the car will be up by about 8in.
    Enclosed it the picture of the underneath are these save jacking points the circle and the X
    If I put a jack under the circle the crew will be damage I think; the "X" point with wooden block might be better choice
     

    Attached Files:

    #7 syscon, Jun 2, 2013
  8. syscon

    syscon Member

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    I don't think these screws (drain and fill) are visible from underneath unless you remove the plastic cover.
    Here is a good picture posted by "rrg"
    DIY Transmission Fluid Change? | Page 11 | PriusChat
    From his profile has has 2011 model so I think this would be applicable to our "V" as well.
    If these screws are sideways the leveling is not mush of an issue.
     
    #8 syscon, Jun 2, 2013
  9. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    here's a picture showing you where to jack your vehicle up and putting the jack stands.
     

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    #9 NutzAboutBolts, Jun 2, 2013
  10. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    That's probably the 2nd generation Prius, the 3rd generation Prius, you'll have to remove the whole plastic panel for a clean drain and refill, I'll do this video when I hit 30k or so. :)
     
    #10 NutzAboutBolts, Jun 2, 2013
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The X-mark is where I put my front safety stands. I put the rear safety stands per the diagram nutzaboutbolts posted above.

    My main issue was with the extra weight in the front, the shallow arch of my safety stand's cradle and the near knife-edge rocker panel edge bearing on it. Seemed skittish the few times I used those points. I think it's Hobbit posted pics of similar support location on gen 2. It works for me.

    If your garage is sloping a bit you can adjust the front or rear safety stand heights a bit to fix, or put plywood shims under the jackstands for finer adjustment.

    Do work safe. I like to push a chunk of tree stump under before getting under myself, thicker than me, makes me feel good ;)
     
    #11 Mendel Leisk, Jun 2, 2013
  12. attyjeff

    attyjeff Member

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    I did it yesterday it took about 45 mins and was very very easy to do. I only opened up the oil change flap. The fluid that came out looked like dr pepper and the new fluid was cherry red in color. I have 26,000 miles.
     
    #12 attyjeff, Jun 2, 2013
  13. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    I don't have a tree stump that big! :rolleyes:
     
    #13 retired4999, Jun 2, 2013
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  14. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    You can also take off your wheel's and put it on the side of the vehicle where the pinch weld is at. That will work to prevent any accidents from happening.
     
    #14 NutzAboutBolts, Jun 2, 2013
    retired4999 likes this.
  15. syscon

    syscon Member

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    Did you level the car? If so how?
    Did you pour IN the fluid from the top via 1/2 OD hose?
     
    #15 syscon, Jun 2, 2013
  16. attyjeff

    attyjeff Member

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    Yes I put a small level in tbe door frame area. I used ramps and a floor jack to level the rear. Yes I bought clear hose from lowes in the plumbing area. It was about dollars.
     
    #16 attyjeff, Jun 3, 2013
  17. attyjeff

    attyjeff Member

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    Believe it or not the hardest part was breaking the plugs loose. I had to use a breaker bar. They were really tight.
     
    #17 attyjeff, Jun 3, 2013
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