They only say to inspect and advise. Be cautious of engine cooling fans that may continue to run after the engine is off, as well as hot engine components; many cars recommend that the engine and transmission be at operating temperature when checking the transmission fluid. Recommended transmission fluid change intervals varied between 30,000 and 50,000 miles. The transmission lasts about as long as the fluid under light use. Extends transmission life; Resists foaming and oxidation; Shop Now. The transmission fluid change is the tried-and-true process that your owner’s manual specifies when it calls for a transmission service. That could cause problems down the road. Step back, check the maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual and see what the vehicle manufacturer recommends before you decide. Toyota dealerships and online retailers sell the Toyota branded fluids today. However, recommended maintenance often includes services such as tire rotation, oil change and inspection of wiper blades, brake pads and fluid levels. My 2005 Camry has the same transmission as your car. And, yes, you need to change the filter, too. Also when you change the fluid it’s a good thing to change/clean the filter. I have a 2012 Prius C with little over ~100,000 miles never done any Transmission fluid changes. If not comfortable yourself, find someone who is. As the fluid ages, it begins to collect small particles of metal that can damage the transmission components. DO NOT FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION. GL-5). Draining the fluid will only remove about one-third to half the fluid. normal drain. Unless there’s a leak or a problem, some newer transmissions are designed to never need a fluid change. In fact, it mostly depends on how you use the vehicle. Stick with Toyota ATF-WS fluid: purchase 4 quarts or liters, it'll take roughly 3.5. As old fluid is pumped out into granduated container, I add the same amount of new fluid. Toyota is like all the rest; they make recommendations that are good from a PR standpoint but no so good from the mechanical perspective. . Use your owner’s manual to find the recommended procedure for checking your transmission fluid. However failure of the filter can give you a good reason to replace your engine or car. Be sure to record the ATF fluid change in your vehicle's service records. The manufacturer’s maintenance schedule for many automatic transmissions doesn’t call for fresh fluid until 100,000 miles or, with some Ford transmissions, even 150,000 miles. b)have it emptied and refilled now? You will have a 10mm hex bolt drain plug, you drain the ATF, refill from the dipstick with WS ATF bought from Toyota dealer. They don’t. I don't see where the Prius should be even that much. Use your car’s owner’s manual to determine if the transmission has a dipstick that’s easily accessible; if it does, here are a few tips when checking the fluid: 1. Recommended transmission fluid change intervals varied between 30,000 and 50,000 miles. ? Though that sounds good, some manufacturers say you shouldn’t do that (Honda is one; there are others), so you need to know this before you agree to a flush. I respect some people taking the better safe than sorry route, but I don't want to spend the time or the money if it is not needed. Toyota states their automatic transmission fluid is a "million mile" fluid which implies that it doesn't need to be changed. The default transmission fluid service is called a transmission fluid change. Many change the fluid in the transmission between 30,000 - 60,000 miles. Find out how much engine oil does your car need. How does a person like myself change transmission fluid on a Toyota that has a seal transmission and it is done with special equipment. If you drive manual, most manufacturers will recommend changing your transmission fluid every 30,000 to 60,000 miles . I don't see where the Prius should be even that much. Extends transmission life; Resists foaming and oxidation; Shop Now. The main reason Toyota chose to update to the 75W transfer case fluid was to improve the vehicles efficiency. However, fresh fluid is not a cure for gears slipping, rough shifting or other mechanical problems, so don’t expect a fluid change to be a magic elixir. Toyota seems to have eliminated tranny dip-sticks. I bought the car with 62K. 2005 Transmission fluid change/check level. Remove the dipstick, being cautious not to spill any fluid on hot engine or exhaust parts, and wipe off the dipstick using a clean rag. There is an oil strainer behind the pan, not really a filter, just a screen. . Way too much incorrect information here to ignore. There are many fluids that run throughout your vehicle, but one of the most important to keep track of is the transmission fluid. You should schedule a change at every 30,000 miles or 30 months. In fact, it mostly depends on how you use the vehicle. As you can see, recommended transmission fluid change intervals are all over the board. Changing automatic transmission fluid. Don’t do a flush. Toyota claims that transmission fluid is lifetime. It's your truck and you should decide when is a good time to flush your transmission. Adding fuel to this theory are stories about older transmissions failing shortly after they finally received fresh fluid. My brother had a 1994 Celica, and I went to the dealer to get a trans filter kit. Get a trans filter kit it 's your truck and you should ~3qt Toyota WS rated transmission operates... 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