Toyota Lexus Sealed Transmission Fluid Change & Level Check - 2 Temperature Gauges

# Sealed Life-time Transmission Fluid Change and Two Methods to Check Temperature & Level - Toyota Lexus

Two methods to check ATF temperature: with a scanner or with a temperature gun

Vehicle in video: 2017 Lexus RX350 Base

Links to OBD2 scanners for ATF temperature measurement:

* Disclosure: As an eBay Partner and Amazon Affiliate, I may be compensated if you make a purchase from the product links I posted in video descriptions and comments.

## Supplies

3. Drain plug o-ring, 96721-24018
4. Overflow tube o-ring, 90301-06196

## Tools

1. Ratchet and/or breaker bar, likely 3/8'' drive AND 1/2'' drive
2. Torque wrench (to set at 6, 35, 36, and 76 ft-lbs)
2. 10mm, 21mm and 24mm sockets
3. 17mm allen bit
4. T40 torx bit
5. Funnel and/or fluid pump
6. Infared temperature gauge (used in this video)
* Or scan tool to monitor transmission temperature, used in this video
* Or a paper clip (jumper), not used in this video
7. Extensions

## Safety and Preparation

1. Raise car.
2. Make sure it's level.
3. Safety check!!!

## Remove Filler Cap

1. Remove transmission side cover with 10mm socket.
2. Take off the filler cap with 24mm socket, with an extension.

## Remove Drain Plugs

1. Place catch pan under the transmission.
2. Remove transmission overflow tube plug ("drain" plug) with T40 torx bit.
3. Let it drain... This is only the overflow so it isn't a lot.

## Remove Overflow Tube

4. Once drained, remove overflow tube with 17mm allen bit.
5. Let it drain again...
6. Replace the overflow tube with a new o-ring, lube it with fluid, put it back after drained, and torque it to 36 ft-lb.
7. Replace the tube plug ("drain" plug) with new o-ring, and put it back (not too tight)
8. Add from funnel, OR pump about 3.5 quarts of WS ATF via the filler hole.
9. Replace the filler cap washer with a new one, and put the cap back (torqued to 36 ft-lbs).
10. Start the engine, and monitor transmission temperature until it reaches 104 F (NOT operating temperature):
* Transmission fluid level should be measured in the temperature range 94 - 114 F
* Note this is only a WARM (low) temperature. So don't get the engine/transmission too hot.
* You can use a SCAN tool (e.g. Tech Stream) with features to read transmission temperature.
* Or, you can use an Infrared gun to measure it (compared in this video).
* Or, use a paper clip as a jumper to the OBD port for the D indicator procedure (not shown in this video).
11. With engine running and transmission temperature reaches 104 F, remove the tube plug ("drain" plug) until the fluid trickles.
12. Replace the "drain" plug, and tighten it to 7 ft-lb.

## Final Comments

1. There is NO need to replace the transmission strainer:
* It is a high-quality strainer, NOT a filter, which will last a VERY long time (perhaps a life-time of 300,000+ miles if fluid is replaced regularly).
* Need to remove pan bolts and perhaps replace pan gasket, and you may break them.
* If you have to replace strainer, DO these:
1. Get OE Toyota strainer and pan gasket, NOT any aftermarket parts.
2. Be super careful with the pan bolts. Spray penetrating oil on them and allow time for it to work before you attempt to take them off. If you snap them, it takes hours if not days to get them out. Don't ask me how I know.
2. Fluid change intervals
* First change at 60,000 miles
* Change every 30,000 miles afterwards
3. What fluid: best to use original factory fluid (Toyota WS) for that year & model
4. There is no need for a flush; if you change it every 30k miles, that's good for the transmission.
5. Fluid color means little; it becomes dark the moment you start the engine.

--
Be safe, stay dirty. Enjoy the work!

God bless!

[lg]

What a great and very detailed video. I appreciate that you took the time to get all the camera angles, and explain everything step by step.

[Eatshhhushi]

Great job, better than The Car Care Nut instructions IMHO.

[nazarettos]

You are the best, great video and very easy to follow.

[Pk-ylsi]

That was great, very detailed and concise explanations!

[wt]

I'm always interested in how others check the fluid temperature.
So far everyone is using the scan tool or very inaccurate temp gun.

The most accurate and cheapest way to measure the fluid temperature is.
Everyone has this in their kitchen drawer. It's called the meat thermometer. The one with the long cable or Bluetooth works the best.

I found a cheap silicone plugs on Amazon.
I use this to plug the check valve hole. Insert the meat thermometer point through the silicone plug. Once it reaches 104 to 113 degrees, the thermometer will beep or keep your eyes on it. Simply Uncork the plug and let it drain to trickle. You're done.
Be sure to shift back and forth between the gears to distribute the fluid evenly throughout the transmission before discharging the fluid.

[eddiea]

This is a terrible design. I am really surprised that Lexus would put something like this on their cars. Thank you for the video. It is very helpful. 👍

[tomn]

Thanks for the details of the video. Just wondering have you measured how many quarts when you drain out? I noticed 2013 RX350 only needs 2-1/2 quarts ... can you confirm ?

[nightnday]

THIS CHANNEL IS SO UNDERRATED! SO MUCH GOOD INFORMATION!!!

[michaeltammaro]

Thank you Sir for the video!

Well all I can say is that changing the transmission fluid on a 2023 Rav4 Hybrid is incredibly easy.
REMEMBER, EMPHASIS on it being a Hybrid! You still have to go underneathe BUT you drain (entire amount) and then refill until it overflows, let it come to a slight drip to level out and you're DONE. The same for your rear differential as well. You should do BOTH at the same fluid change. The differential takes the same transmission fluid.

[bmar]

Does the engine need to be running when you drain the new fluid to the proper level? Can you shut it off once it reaches the proper temperature before crawling under the car?

[MrOliverAC]

I have a 70k miles 2017 RX350 certified at 60k by Lexus. The Lexus mechanic claims we should never change or even inspect the fluid since they are sealed transmissions with "world standard fluid". What do you think? Can you help Professor?

[thalessouto]

Excellent Video. My wife has a 2019 RX350 with 75, 000 miles and the dealer said there's no need for oil change since the transmission is sealed. It really sounds weird and wrong and I insisted with the Service Manager and he said they don't recommend doing anything at all.

[moorfan]

Thank you Professor for the excellent explanation and video. Just a few details for the 2019 and up Lexus ES350. The fill plug is exactly the same, however the drain plug has been changed. You remove the main drain plug, and threaded up into the transmission drain is an entirely plastic filler tube that has NO gaskets. It comes out using a 6mm Hex socket. Both the filler plug and drain plug utilize the same part number crush washer, -A0003. Otherwise, it is the same as in your video!

[peterking]

Dear Garage Professor, Thanks for the detailed demonstration and explanation and a very well organized video. At 1:24, you mentioned removing the passenger side wheel. Did you actually mean the driver side wheel?

[theandonly]

Do you possibly have tutorials for this process on a lexus LS500?

[GG-unwk]

Profe!!! That was a well explained video, thank you! I was searching for the scan tool that you used but it is a bit expensive over $400. Do you have any other cheaper recommendations for a scan tool? Thank you

[andyrodriguez]

Thanks for the excellent explanation it help me a lot. And can you tell me what is the brand of the scat. 👍

[zeez]

How about if i bought an ES350 with 120k miles and the car has no history of a transmission fluid change. Can i do a drain and fill at that mileage?

[chanphoieng]

How are you? I wondered if it is also applicable to Toyota. I have 2011 camry now with 125, 600 miles and highlander 2014 with 105, 000 and no tow hitch on both of them and both have no dipstick trans fluid. So far they are running well.  I bought them 2nd hand with both at little over 30000 miles for Camry and 42500 miles for Highlander.  So I do not think the previous owners changed trans fluid. If it is applicable to Toyota, given these 2 cars' mileages, Can I proceed to do transm fluid change, even they both are driven fine? Chanpho

[DavidPearce-nc]

Hello, I have a 2016 nx200t. I live in the Austin, TX area. I'm not sure where you are located however do you have any contacts/shops in this area that would know the proper procedure that I could trust to perform if I'm not able to myself? Thank you.