Should we change the transmission fluid when it's A DARK color?

Follow along in this video while we change this dark colored transmission fluid in a 2006 Lexus ES330.
#transmission #transmissionfluid #lexus #mechanic #autotechnician
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[wigletron]

The "if its never been changed, don't change it" only really applies to full flushes. If you do a drain and fill or pan drop/filter change it won't hurt anything. The transmission may already be damaged but doing those 2 won't make it worse. A flush can because its using pressure to pump out all the old fluid which may have clutch material in it and that may have been the only thing allowing the gears to hold.

[normangiven]

You should change the fluid at least every 50k miles. The fluid is a coolant, lubricant, working fluid, holds some debris in suspension. The fluid does a few things, and the additive package does wear out over time. I recommend not pushing it.

[johnnaquin]

I purchased a 2010 rav4 about 3 years ago. It had 91, 000 miles on it. The tranny fluid was also black. I believe the color is from clutches. I did a dump and fill, ran it a couple hundred miles and repeated the procedure. This was done to dilute the rest of the dark fluid. The vehicle now has 116, 00 miles on it with no issues at all. I will be changing the tranny fluid again in a few thousand more miles. I hope your Lexus works well also.

[mrgold]

I have a two hybrid vehicles with 7DCT with wet clutches (Acura MDX/RLX sport hybrid). Talking to other owners with the same vehicles and they recommend changing every 4 years or 30, 000 miles to keep everything running smooth. Worth doing since it only takes a little under 4 qts to replace.

[billsmith]

As you stated, the filter is there for a reason . And many units have a magnet in the pan to catch debris . But if you want to gamble on a rebuild, it's ONLY a FEW GRAND !

[wigletron]

If its shifting fine just do regular drain and fills. Takes like 20 minutes and youll always have relatively clean fluid.

[JF-jmnb]

On Toyotas is not a problem. But other brands not sure. My mazda 5 2010 is very sensitive on bad fluid. Same for 2018 Ford Escape Titanium. Usually on severe maintenance trans fluid can be change between 30, 000 to 50, 000 miles. Towing or heavy city driving probably more 30k miles. Thanks for sharing

[ronaldrussell]

I agree with "John Naquin" below, do a couple to three drain and fills over a week or two period and then about once a year a drain and fill.

[pingpong]

Just picked up a Mazda CX-7 with 155K on tach - oil is no longer pink - only problem with the tyranny I have is that you can't change the oil filter - I can only change the oil...

[jrobbins]

I would do 3 drain and fills in intervals of 250 to 500 miles and call it good.

[johnscreekmark]

Toyota says "Don't change Transmission fluid for the lifetime of the vehicle" However...the "Lifetime" is actually the length of the warranty. If you don't change the fluid, eventually you WILL have problems!

[cactuscanuck]

Biggest killer of any transmission is heat and dirt. This dark oil looks like it was subjected to both. No gearbox or engine ever died due to clean oil.

[yardboy]

If it’s dark, I’d leave it alone. Just speeding up the failure, it happen to me. But it’s up to you.

[nortekingz]

Ur transmission if screwed wen you swap fluid and it’s slipping ur to late it’s ur fault for not maintaining the vehicle don’t listen to the manufacturer bullshit

[savinsingh]

Great video. I change the transmission oil every 20k kms or every 2 years which ever comes earlier.

[ST_DIY]

I have 2013 sonata gls, changed the trans fluid only (no filter)with genuine hyundai fluid at 79k miles. At 84k all of a sudden transmission started to slip, took it to hyundai they said i need new transmission. Added quart of lucas transmission slip and drove it for like 5k and drained the excess fluid, now im at 96k and it seems way better than it was. What is your take, should I drain it completely and replace the filter as well or no? The color is blacker than black 🙂Thanks

[rafalfediuk]

Hahaha I would like to see some ppl driving testing their transmission... "Shift now" .."shift now please" haha I know I'll do it 😅😂

[ralfk]

Change it and if it has problems add lucas transmission fix

[kemangraya]

The previous owners may have had use the lexus to haul things. That is why the TF is dark and obviously worn out. Nevertheless always change every fluid. Itbis cheaper than to repair

[artridge]

Question--I have a 2012 Toyota corolla with 145, 000 miles on it. Tranny fluid has never been drained--it is pretty dark but not burnt. It seems to be slipping--basically in Drive after about 18 mph when it would normally shift to second, it wants to rev to 3900/4000 rpms before shifting and it seems to be shifting to 3rd gear. However, if you manually put it through gears: L, 2, 3-D it will shift into all gears but seems to kick into second. No engine light and the car otherwise seems to drive fine. I took it to a Transmission guy to diagnose it and he hooked it up and even went through amps-- doesn't seem to think its the transmission--couldn't really tell me. He said to have a mechanic look it over and thought it was maybe an engine issue causing the transmission to shift strange. Went to mechanic and he drove it around and said he felt the engine was fine and suggested going to the dealer...should I drain and fill a couple times to see if that does anything? was a bit worried it might make it worst.