Transmission fluid

[Hadyourphil]

I'm surprised I couldn't find this on here, but I probably am not searching correctly. My "new" '01 RX has 150k on it and I'll bet the ATF has never been changed. What is the recommended fluid? And IIRC we're looking at about 3 quarts for a "drain and fill", right?

[McBrian]

No real way to know what's in there until you drain it and even then you're filling to the line so it really doesn't matter.

T-IV (4) Synthetic Toyota-Compatible fluid.

Check your Owner's Manual for specifics, but web searches show a total capacity of almost 10 qts with anywhere from 3-5 for a drain and fill(?)

[Hadyourphil]

Owners manual is MIA. Replacement on order. Thanks for the McReply!

[Hadyourphil]

According to the 2001 owner's manual, a "drain and refill" for 2WD is 3.3 quarts/3.1 liters. For the AWD it takes 4.1 quarts/3.9 liters. Ya have to wonder why they couldn't round it off... Type of fluid T-IV. Anyone have a recommended brand?   No nearby Toyota/Lexus dealers for me.

[McBrian]

Valvoline makes a great synthetic T-IV available at any auto parts store.

I also absolutely LOVE Redline but it's pricey and (usually) delivery only.

[Hadyourphil]

In an effort to thoroughly confuse the reader (and the author of this thread), I see where the recommended fluid goes by three names: T-IV, JWS3309, and NWS6500. The website for the pricey Red Line fluid shows the names of the last two but not the T-IV. What, if any, are the differences? How important are they? I've owned two RX-300s that both died by transmission failure so I really would like to avoid a third time. And, if draining and filling only results in a portion of the fluid being changed, how often should this be done?

[McBrian]

The general on the ground consensus is every two years a drain and fill (or if you have a vacuum pump you don't have to go under) and at least once in its life (or every 100k?) for a full pan-off filter/gasket service. If you have no idea when or if it was ever done, do the big job and reset the clock (and your nerves.)

The Valvoline stuff will read Toyota/Lexus T or actually include T-IV. Never seen those other numbers. Can't remember if it was a Blue or Silver jug.

[Hadyourphil]

The two numbers are mentioned in the '01 owner's manual on page 274. Also they show up in the Red Line website in a long list of fluid names. It would be interesting to see what they mean and what difference they make.