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transmission oil (ATF) change interval

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by ramdulari, Dec 21, 2011.

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  1. Yes

    4 vote(s)
    80.0%
  2. No

    1 vote(s)
    20.0%
  1. ramdulari

    ramdulari Member

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    Hi All,
    It's overdue for me to take the car for the engine oil change service. It's now at > 40000 miles. I was going through the maintenance manual and all my prior records to figure out what is supposed to have been done by 40000 miles and what I have actually had done (I usually go to the dealer and tell them what I need, which per my records has been only engine oil and filter changes, and tire rotations so far. The dealer has also recorded that they checked fluid levels, although afaict they haven't topped/replaced any other fluids thus far).
    So...I was expecting to see mention of ATF change to be required by my current mileage, and therefore was surprised to see the maintenance manual from Toyota does not state explicitly to replace the ATF ever! Only "Inspect and adjust all fluid levels" (which my dealer's service dept has been recording) and "Check ATF". Question is, is there indeed no stipulated interval by which to replace the ATF in the 3rd gen/2010 Prii/Priuses?
    Also noticed that the inverter/coolant fluid needs to be replaced at 100,000 miles, which is cool. I was expecting to do that every 60,000 miles...

    Thanks in advance for all replies!
     
  2. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    ATF - the general conscensus on here is that the ATF needs to be changed in the neighborhood of 30,000 miles and then each 60,000 miles thereafter. Used oil analysis indicates a low viscosity at this mileage. Also, when changing the oil is very dark. Some dealers have balked at this since it is not in the Toyota maintenance schedule. You may have to insist to have it changed or either change it yourself.

    Coolant - the general conscensus again is to change the engine coolant and the inverter coolant every 50,000 miles. When changing the engine coolant you need to be careful to bleed the air out of the system.
     
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  3. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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  4. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    Coolant lasts for 100K miles, no problem.
     
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  5. Old Bald Guy

    Old Bald Guy Old Bald Guy

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    I think that if you did a little research on what a Prius actually is, you would quickly realize WHY there was no mention of an ATF change required for your car. ..... The Prius doesn't have a transmission .....

    No clutch, no torque converter, no gearshift, and, yes, NO TRANSMISSION. What might be considered a transmission is a SINGLE PLANETARY gear set between the gas motor and the two electric motors.

    In case you haven't noticed, your 'gearshift' in the car is nothing more than a joystick ... like on your computer.

    Incidentally, the service interval on the 2010 Prius is now 10,000 miles ... per the notification I got from Toyota last year. Your 40,000 mile service ... using Mobil 1 and at the dealer should only cost maybe $60. That's what I pay.
     
  6. Gurple42

    Gurple42 New Member

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    $60 in Texas is $120 in L.A., guess not everything is bigger in Texas!
     
  7. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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  8. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    I have been doing mine every 15,000 miles so far.
     
  9. Launch Vehicle

    Launch Vehicle Junior Member

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    Soooo - if it isn't ATF fluid being changed here - what is this stuff?
     
  10. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    It is ATF, specifically Toyota ATF WS, though Redline D6 is sometimes mentioned as an alternative. Goes in red, comes out black, unless it is changed every so often.
     
  11. ramdulari

    ramdulari Member

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    Thanks for all the replies guys. I'm at the dealership...says it'll cost $190!! Also, he said its a drain and refill, no flush - which means some of the old oil stays behind. He mentioned that's due to the nature of the transmission, it can't be flushed out.
     
  12. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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    That's not a problem, I measured mine the first time I changed it and only about a tenth of a quart remained in the transaxle. No need to flush, it's not much different than changing the oil in a manual transmission or a differential.
     
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  13. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    My dealer charges me $100 for the ATF Drain and Refill.

    JeffD
     
  14. ramdulari

    ramdulari Member

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    I think I misquoted...
    I think he quoted me $170. Still a lot!
     
  15. ramdulari

    ramdulari Member

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    I wish I lived in CT, then I would have asked you about your dealer's information.
     
  16. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    Ask for a breakdown of parts and labor. The labor guide quotes 0.6 hours. If they have a 1 hour minimum for services beyond oil and tires, then I guess that would explain it.
     
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  17. ramdulari

    ramdulari Member

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    He did mention that the WS oil that Toyota uses is expensive. I didn't see the parts and labor breakdown yet. Thanks!
     
  18. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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    Dealer here charged me $7.20 a quart for Toyota ATF-WS with the discount I get because I bought the car from them, normal full retail is $8.00 a quart. It will take 3 1/2 quarts so they should give you 1/2 a quart back but you will probably have to ask for it.
     
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  19. ramdulari

    ramdulari Member

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    Hmm...so only $8x4 = $32 is the material cost?! The rest is labor/recycling/etc fees? I need to check with the service manager if that's the case. hmm...
    thanks!
     
  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    It should cost a bit more than an engine oil and filter change. The fluid cost is slightly higher than (say) Toyota 0W20 engine oil, But there's no filter change, so basically next to no difference in parts. There's a couple of washers to replace, vs one with an oil change. They're sort-of entitled to charge a slight premium, just because it's an unusual service, but that's about it.

    It should not be costing $190. With their knowhow, and having a proper 4-corner hydraulic lift, it is very straightforward for the dealership. Check out another dealer?